Shaolin Monastery
About Shaolin Monastery
Shaolin Temple is in the region of the Song Mountain, Denfeng City, Henan Province. The temple is the cradle of Chinese Zen Buddhism and the Shaolin martial arts.
The grounds of the temple are quite extensive. It has several notable attractions.
Shanmen Hall - hung on its top is a tablet reading Shaolin Temple. It was inscribed by the Emperor Kangxi (1622-1723) during the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). Under the stairs of the hall are 2 stone lions made in the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). The hall enshrines the Maitreya Buddha.
Hall of Heavenly Kings - Inside this hall are the figures of the 4 heavenly kings who are responsible for helping the troubled and blessing the people.
Mehavira Hall - Important celebrations and regular prayers are held here. 18 Buddhist Arhats stand along the eastern and southern walls of the hall. Sakyamuni Buddha, Pharmacist Buddha and Amitabha Buddha, Kingnaro (founder of Shaolin Cudgel and Dharma (founder of Chinese Zen Buddhism ) are all located here. Also on the ground here are about 50 small pits about 7.87 inches deep. It is said that they are the footprints left by monks when they practiced the shaolin martial arts.
Pagoda Forest - This is a graveyard for Buddhist dignitaries through the ages. The pagodas are up to 49 ft high and the layers and shape of the pagoda depends on many factors, such as one's Buddhist status, attaintment and prestige during his lifetime.
Shaolin Temple Wushu (martial arts) Training Center - There is a martial arts performance for the visiting public at certain times of the day.
The grounds of the temple are quite extensive. It has several notable attractions.
Shanmen Hall - hung on its top is a tablet reading Shaolin Temple. It was inscribed by the Emperor Kangxi (1622-1723) during the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). Under the stairs of the hall are 2 stone lions made in the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). The hall enshrines the Maitreya Buddha.
Hall of Heavenly Kings - Inside this hall are the figures of the 4 heavenly kings who are responsible for helping the troubled and blessing the people.
Mehavira Hall - Important celebrations and regular prayers are held here. 18 Buddhist Arhats stand along the eastern and southern walls of the hall. Sakyamuni Buddha, Pharmacist Buddha and Amitabha Buddha, Kingnaro (founder of Shaolin Cudgel and Dharma (founder of Chinese Zen Buddhism ) are all located here. Also on the ground here are about 50 small pits about 7.87 inches deep. It is said that they are the footprints left by monks when they practiced the shaolin martial arts.
Pagoda Forest - This is a graveyard for Buddhist dignitaries through the ages. The pagodas are up to 49 ft high and the layers and shape of the pagoda depends on many factors, such as one's Buddhist status, attaintment and prestige during his lifetime.
Shaolin Temple Wushu (martial arts) Training Center - There is a martial arts performance for the visiting public at certain times of the day.
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First To Review:
Oct 31, 2008
The shaolin monastery and his places around are very interesting. Not even if you like martial arts also for others. When you get up very early in the morning (around 4 or 5 am) you will see the monks from the school classes of the monastery doing their exercises. Every morning they run on the top of the Wu-Ru-Feng mountain. Normally you would walk around two hours I think. On the top of this mountain is a Buda. For me it was a must see.
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