Fayuan Temple, originally established during the Tang Dynasty, is a significant site for Buddhist education and houses the Chinese Buddhist Texts and Cultural Relics Museum. It is also one of the oldest and renowned temples within the city of Beijing. The temple’s serene environment offers a tranquil and comforting atmosphere for worshippers seeking blessings.
Moreover, it serves as a religious museum, displaying numerous precious Buddhist artifacts.
The temple complex includes several ancient buildings such as the Mahavira Hall, the Hall of Guanyin, the Compassion Altar, and the Sutra Repository, all of which can be visited on foot. In addition to its status as a Buddhist sanctuary, Fayuan Temple is also a religious museum. The Compassion Altar within the temple showcases a variety of Buddhist cultural relics, including early Chinese Buddha statues like the Eastern Han Dynasty pottery Buddha sitting figure, pottery soul bottles from the Eastern Wu period, Northern Wei stone statues, Tang Dynasty stone Buddhas, Five Dynasties iron Buddhas, and Song Dynasty wooden carvings of Arhats. These artifacts are a must-see for visitors.
The temple grounds are also adorned with plants such as crabapple trees, which bloom spectacularly in spring, making it an ideal time for photography and capturing the beauty of nature. The temple is open year-round from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
Key Tips:
1. On the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month at noon, Fayuan Temple prepares vegetarian meals for worshippers, which are free of charge, though donations are welcome.
2. The temple attracts a large number of worshippers on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month. For a more peaceful experience, it is recommended to visit on regular days.
