Ancient temple complex of Shanghai: Longhua Temple

The Longhua temple complex is an ancient temple complex of Shanghai. Most of the temple 's architectural structures were built during the period of Song dynasty. The Maitreya Hall of this temple complex houses Maitreya Buddha. In the present period, the temple complex also houses some of the present-day buildings.

Legend behind the construction of the Longhua Temple

As legend suggests, Sun Quan, King of the Kingdom of WU, once had obtained Sharira relics. These relics were the cremated remains of the Buddha. Therefore to house these pure and precious relics, the king ordered the construction of thirteen pagodas. One of the pagodas was Longhua pagoda, a part of the Longhua temple complex.

There is also the local legend behind the name of the temple. It is believed that at the temple site, once the dragon appeared at the location.

Historical accounts of the Longhua temple

It is recorded that the temple was first built during the mid 3rd century CE. After that due to several reasons, the temple was damaged and also renovated.

During the end of Tang dynasty, the temple was fully destroyed, later in 977 CE, the temple was rebuilt under the autonomous Kingdom of Wurue, during the Northern Song dynasty. Later It is recorded that the name of the temple was changed to a few other names during the various dynasty. Likewise, the temple was renamed as the Kongxian Temple. The name was again changed to Longhua Temple. This time, the temple was erected during the Ming dynasty. It is also recorded that various dynasties have added their own style of architectural structure in the temple complex.

Architectural feature of the Longhua temple complex

The temple complex occupies an area of more than 20,000 square meters. The main compound is 194 meters long. The Longhua temple complex houses Longhua temple as well as other Buddhist temples which were constructed at various periods in Chinese history. Some of the notable structures are as follows:

The Longhua Temple:

The actual height of this temple is 40.4 meters, and the layout is exactly similar to that of a Song dynasty monastery of Buddhist Chan sext. This monastery is popularly known as Sangharama Five-Hall Style . In the temple complex has five notable structures which were arranged along a central north-south pointing axis.

Maitreya Hall:

The Maitreya Hall is near to the entrance which houses a statue of Maitreya Buddha. He is also called as the future Buddha, Budai, or Cloth Bag monk. Since Budai is represented as a laughing Buddha, he is also referred to as the laughing Buddhas.

Mahavira Hall:

The Mahavira Hall is the main hall where the historical Buddha statues of Shakya Buddha and his two disciples are housed. At the back of the hall, there is a bas-relief carving along with the depiction of Guanyin, or the Buddistava Avalokitevara in his female manifestation. Around the frontal portion of the hall, there are arranged the twenty Guardians of Buddhist Law, while at the back of the hall there are placed sixteen principal arhats. The hall also houses an ancient bell that was cast during the late 16th century.

Bell tower and Drum tower

The Bell Tower and the Drum Tower are also housed in the Longhua temple complex which is arranged off in the central axis. The Bell Tower includes a copper bell which is recorded to be cast in 1382. The copper bell is 2-metre tall, maximum diameter 1.3-metre and weighs 5,000-kilograms.

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