1. Da Ci'en Temple:
Da Ci'en Temple is located in the southern suburbs of the ancient capital Xi'an. It was founded in the 22nd year of Zhenguan (648 AD) by Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. (648) Built by Prince Li Zhi in memory of his mother, Queen Wende, it is the most famous and magnificent Buddhist temple in Chang'an City of the Tang Dynasty.
It was built by imperial decree of the Tang Dynasty. Xuanzang of the Tang Dynasty once presided over temple affairs here, took charge of the Buddhist scripture translation field, and founded a Buddhist sect. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda in the temple was built under his personal supervision. Therefore, Daci'en Temple has a very prominent position in the history of Chinese Buddhism and has always received attention at home and abroad.
2. Daxingshan Temple:
Daxingshan Temple was built in the early Jin Dynasty and has a history of more than 1,600 years. Indian monks such as Damagupta once lived in the temple to translate scriptures. During the Kaiyuan period of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, the Indian monks Shan Yuanwei, Vajra Zhi, and Fu Kong, known as the "Three Great Masters of Kaiyuan", came to this temple to teach Tantric Buddhism. It became one of the three major translation sites for Buddhist scriptures in Chang'an at that time, and also became the birthplace of Chinese Tantric Buddhism. .
3. Xiangji Temple:
Xiangji Temple was built in the second year of Emperor Yonglong of the Tang Dynasty (681). There are two theories about the origin of its name. One is that there was Xiangji Temple next to the temple in the Tang Dynasty. The water from the weir flows into Chang'an City. Another theory is that it comes from the Buddhist scripture "There is a country with many fragrances in India, and the name of the Buddha is Xiangji".
Li Zhi, Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, once donated more than a thousand relics and hundreds of treasure flags and flowers to the temple as offerings, and named it Xiangji Temple. In history, Xiangji Temple has been destroyed many times and rebuilt many times. It is now a key cultural relic protection unit in Shaanxi Province. There is a Shandao Pagoda built in the Tang Dynasty in the temple. It was built in 680 AD. The tower is made of blue bricks, with a wall thickness of two meters and a square plan. It is an imitation wood structure. The top of the tower was damaged over time and now has eleven levels, 33 meters high (according to records, it was originally thirteen levels). Twelve half-naked ancient Buddhas in the shape of saddles are preserved around the pagoda. They are exquisitely carved and are truly treasures.
4. Qinglong Temple:
Qinglong Temple was built in the second year of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty (582) by Yang Jian, and was originally named "Inspiration Temple". In the fourth year of Wude (621) in Tang Dynasty, the temple was abandoned. Legend has it that in the second year of Longshuo (662), Princess Chengyang fell ill. Suzhou monk Fa recited the "Avalokitesvara Sutra" to pray for the Buddha's blessing, and the princess recovered.
So, the princess petitioned to reestablish it as Guanyin Temple. In the second year of Jingyun (711), it was renamed Qinglong Temple. Qinglong Temple is the place where Huiguo, the tantric master of the Tang Dynasty, stayed in Xixi for a long time. Master Kukai, a famous Japanese monk who studied abroad, served Master Huiguo here and later became the founder of the Japanese Shingon sect.
In 1986, Qinglong Temple imported more than a thousand cherry blossom trees from Japan and planted them in the temple. Every year in April and May, the cherry blossoms bloom in full spring, with colorful purples and reds, and the scenery is extraordinary. So far, Qinglong Temple has attracted many Chinese and foreign tourists with its beautiful scenery.
5. Wolong Temple:
Wolong Temple was called "Fuying Temple" in the Sui Dynasty. During the Tang Dynasty, because the statue of Guanyin painted here by Wu Daozi was preserved in the temple, it was also known as "Fuying Temple". It is called "Guanyin Temple".
During the Xiantong period of Emperor Yizong of the Tang Dynasty (860) and the Qianfu period of Emperor Xizong of the Tang Dynasty (874), stone-carved Dharani sutra pillars were built in the temple. In the early Song Dynasty, the eminent monk Huiguo became the abbot of the temple and lay high all day long. At that time, people called him "Monk Wolong". During the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Song Dynasty (976-997), the name of the temple was changed to "Wolong Temple".
Reference materials:
Baidu Encyclopedia - Daci'en Temple
Baidu Encyclopedia - Daxingshan Temple
Baidu Encyclopedia - Xiang Ji Temple
Baidu Encyclopedia - Qinglong Temple
Baidu Encyclopedia - Wolong Temple