The First Ancient Temple in China: White Horse Temple

☘️White Horse Temple, located in the east of Luoyang City, Henan Province, is backed by Mang Mountain and faces the Luo River. Known as the first ancient temple in China, it is the birthplace of Chinese Buddhism and the only international temple in the world with Buddhist halls reflecting the cultural styles of China, India, Myanmar, and Thailand. 🌾White Horse Temple was first built during the Yongping period of the Eastern Han Dynasty (68 AD), over 2,000 years ago. It was the first Buddhist temple built after Buddhism was introduced to the Central Plains. The word "temple," originally referring to government offices in the Han Dynasty, has since become the specific term for Buddhist temples in China. 🌿Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han Dynasty dreamt of a six-foot-tall, golden figure flying from the west. His minister, Fu Yi, told him that it was Buddha. Emperor Ming then sent Cai Yin and Qin Jing to India to seek Buddhist teachings. Cai and Qin not only studied the teachings and obtained Buddhist scriptures but also invited two eminent monks, Kasyapa Matanga and Dharmaratna, back to China. To accommodate these monks and the scriptures and Buddha statues, the government built White Horse Temple. These two monks translated the *Forty-two Chapters Sutra*, the first Buddhist scripture in China, at White Horse Temple, marking a significant starting point for the spread of Buddhism in China. This event is known as the "Yongping Quest for Dharma" in Chinese Buddhist history. The establishment of White Horse Temple signified the official recognition of Buddhism in ancient China, allowing it to spread throughout the country. 💰Ticket Price: CNY 35/person ⏳Visit Duration: 2–3 hrs 🕙Opening Hours: 8:00 am–5:30 pm 📍Address: No. 6 Luobai Road, Baima Temple Town, Luoyang City, Henan Province, China