Ashoka Temple

Ashoka Temple is more than 20 kilometers away from the center of Ningbo. It is the only temple in China named after India's Ashoka. Because it enshrines relics, it has a high status in the Buddhist world. The Buddhist atmosphere of the monastery is pure, there are few tour groups, only devout pilgrims and monks walking leisurely, you can even hear the rustling of fallen leaves while walking. The history of Ashoka Temple can be traced back to the Jin Dynasty. The entire temple is simple and solemn, with a complete structure. The temples and temples are integrated with the vast mountains. After entering the mountain gate, the main scenic spots are located in the middle of the temple. On both sides of these halls are Yunshui Hall, Cheng'en Hall, Abbot Hall, Bell Tower, Five Hundred Arhat Hall, Xianjue Hall, Dabei Pavilion and other buildings. Generally, tourists who come to visit will mainly go to the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Hall of Daxiong, the Hall of Relics and the Hall of Five Hundred Arhats. There is a fish music pond in front of the Temple of Heavenly Kings, there are many small fish and turtles in it, but because there are too many, the temple prohibits tourists from continuing to release them here. Maitreya Buddha is enshrined in the hall, and there are four diamonds on both sides. Behind the Hall of Heavenly Kings is the Mahavira Hall, where the statue of Sakyamuni Buddha is enshrined. On the east side are the statues of Yakushi Buddha and Venerable Ananda, on the west side are Buddha Amitabha and Venerable Kasyapa, and there are eighteen Arhats on both sides. In front of the main hall, take incense and pay homage by yourself. After leaving the Mahavira Hall, you can visit the Relic Hall. The roof is covered with golden glazed tiles. In the center of the hall is a seven-meter-high stone pagoda. Inside, there are Buddhist shrines inlaid with seven treasures. There is also a reclining Buddha statue of Sakyamuni behind the stone pagoda, which is about four meters long. However, ordinary tourists basically cannot see the relic, because the visit needs to apply in advance. After visiting the Hall of Relics, you can go directly to the Hall of Five Hundred Arhats, which enshrines 500 lifelike Arhats of various shapes. After visiting these main halls, you can also take a look at the two well-preserved towers in the temple, one is called the West Tower (commonly known as the Lower Tower) and the other is called the East Tower, which was built in the later period. People say that you can circle clockwise under the tower, which is said to wash away bad luck from your body. In addition, there is an upper tower on the mountain, but it has been damaged due to age. In addition, Buddhist relics, Lisheng Pavilion, Pagoda Core Stone, Breast Milk Spring, Banshan Pavilion, Eight Auspicious Land, Jianzhen Memorial Pavilion, etc. are also more important monuments in the temple. If you pass by, you can take pictures. There is a place to eat vegetarian food at the entrance of the temple. A set meal is basically about 50 yuan, and plain noodles are 25 yuan. Ashoka Temple is not far from Tiantong Temple. You can get there by car or by bus No. 162 at the entrance of the temple. If you have time, you can visit together.