Dabei Temple, originally known as Yinji Temple, is the fourth temple within the Eight Great Sites Park. It is nestled deep in the forest, with its multi-layered halls rising along the mountain contours in an orderly fashion, facing south at the mountain gate. The first structure of the temple is the Mountain Gate Hall, under the main eaves of which is embedded a white marble temple plaque inscribed with the five characters ‘Imperially Built Dabei Temple,’ a calligraphy by Emperor Kangxi. Inside the Mountain Gate Hall, the central statue is the seated figure of ‘Maitreya Buddha’ with a moon-like face and a constant smile, radiating an atmosphere of joy. These five deities are recent creations.
The second hall is the Mahavira Hall, behind which lies the Great Compassion Hall. Inside, a painted statue of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara is enshrined, with an expression of compassion and empathy, akin to a caring mother. The following structure is the Medicine Buddha Hall, which has been restored in the past two years. The hall houses statues of the Medicine Buddha, the Sunlight Universally Illuminating Bodhisattva, and the Moonlight Universally Illuminating Bodhisattva, with twelve Yaksha deities lined up on both sides. These fifteen statues are made with camphor wood as the core and adorned with gold leaf on the exterior.
The temple is open all year round from 08:00 to 14:30, with specific business hours subject to the day’s opening conditions.
