Explore Henan, Understand China! A Deep Dive into Dengfeng Dafawang Temple: Secrets of a 1900-Year-Old Bodhi Site

Explore Henan, Understand China! A Deep Dive into Dengfeng Dafawang Temple: Secrets of a 1900-Year-Old Bodhi Site When you come to Dengfeng, Henan, don't just focus on Shaolin Temple! Dafawang Temple, nestled at the southern foot of Mount Taishi, is the true "First Bodhi Site in China." A visit here is like touching half of the history of Buddhism's eastward spread. Be sure to save this practical guide! First, understand: Why is it called "Dafawang Temple"? Buddhist scriptures say, "The Buddha is the Dharma King, revered above all saints." Shakyamuni is honored as the "King of Dharma," and this temple is named after him, exuding a sense of solemnity! It was specially built during the Eastern Han Dynasty (Emperor Ming's reign) for the Indian eminent monks Kasyapa Matanga and Dharmaratna to translate scriptures and spread Buddhism. Founded in 68 AD, it boasts a history of over 1900 years, making it much more "senior" than many well-known ancient temples. Temple Environment & Historical Anecdotes The temple is located 5 kilometers north of Dengfeng city, at the foot of Yuzhu Peak, surrounded by mountains on the east, west, and north. Everywhere you look, there are green pines and cypresses, and the air is exceptionally fresh. Walking inside, you can completely calm your mind. However, it has been a "name-changing expert" throughout history, from "Huguo Temple" in the Three Kingdoms period, to "Fahua Temple" in the Jin Dynasty, "Sheli Temple" in the Sui Dynasty, and "Gongde Temple" and "Yurong Temple" in the Tang Dynasty. It wasn't until the Song Dynasty that it was officially named "Dongdu Dafawang Temple," and it has kept this name since the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. Isn't that quite a story? Must-See Highlights: Don't Miss These Two Spots! 1. Pagoda Cluster Spectacle: About 200 meters from the temple, there are 6 pagodas, known as the "Fawang Temple Pagoda Cluster," including 4 Tang Dynasty pagodas, 1 Yuan Dynasty pagoda, and 1 Qing Dynasty pagoda. The most famous is Tang Pagoda No. 1, also known as the Great Pagoda of Dafawang Temple, a 15-story multi-eaved structure that inherits the brick pagoda techniques of the Northern Wei Dynasty. It is a representative work of Tang Dynasty multi-eaved pagodas and is incredibly photogenic, especially at sunset when the pagoda's shadow stretches across the mountains and forests, creating an amazing atmosphere! 2. Millennium Ginkgo Trees: The temple has two millennium-old ginkgo trees, standing 30 meters tall, with trunks so wide that several people are needed to embrace them. Every year from late October to November, their leaves turn golden yellow. When the wind blows, it's like scattered gold dust falling on the steps and under the eaves, breathtakingly beautiful. Visiting during this period is definitely worth it! Brief Introduction to the Temple Layout Dafawang Temple features seven courtyards, ascending from low to high, including the Mountain Gate, Vajra Hall, Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, Ksitigarbha Hall, Western Saints Hall, and Sutra Repository (which also houses the White Jade Reclining Buddha Hall). Its scale is immense, and its structure is exceptionally rigorous. You can follow the route when exploring to ensure you don't miss any sights. Tickets & Practical Tips (Pay Attention!) - Admission: 20 RMB/person, excellent value for money! Remember the free admission policies: children under 1.4 meters are free; revolutionary disabled soldiers, active military personnel, people with disabilities, and seniors aged 60 and above can enter for free with valid identification. - Transportation Tip: To reach Dafawang Temple, you must enter through the Songyang Scenic Area entrance! Once inside, there's a fork in the road: turn left for Dafawang Temple and Songyue Temple, turn right for Songyang Academy and Junji Peak. Don't go the wrong way! It's recommended to plan a full day: visit Dafawang Temple in the morning, Songyang Academy in the afternoon, and you can even hike Junji Peak along the way for maximum efficiency. - Other Suggestions: Wear comfortable athletic shoes, as there are many steps; the temple is relatively quiet, so remember to maintain silence and respect religious customs; if you want to photograph the ginkgo trees, check the weather forecast in advance, as sunny days yield better photos; there are many local Dengfeng snacks nearby, such as Dengfeng Shaobing (sesame flatbread) and Huimian (braised noodles), which you can try after your visit. Visiting Dafawang Temple not only allows you to experience the tranquility of a thousand-year-old temple but also to understand the transmission of Buddhist culture in China. It's definitely worth a visit for history and culture enthusiasts!