White jade in shanghai
Located in the Shanghai area there is a Buddha temple that has white jade Buddha statues. This temple is called the ‘Jade Buddha Temple- Yufo Fo Si’. These Buddha’s are magnificent, thus making the temple a popular destination. The temple is in a great location, seeing as you can find a Shanghai hotel close by it. The Jade Buddha temple would be a great attraction to see on your Shanghai tour since it will only last you a couple of hours and only 20RMBs.
The Story:
A monk named Putoshan travelled to Burma in 1882, so that he could have a white Buddha made. For the purpose of bringing it back to China with him. The one he brought back was the ‘Reclining Buddha’. It was a long journey since he had to cart the Buddha back. When Putoshan brought it back he set it down so he could built a temple around it. Then he went off again to search of alms so he would have the means to build a temple for it. The ‘Seated Buddha’ which is also made from white jade was brought back from Singapore by Zhenshan in 1990. Zhenshan was the tenth master of the temple. Thousands of believers pilgrimage here each year.
In the 1880’s an old temple was built to house the Buddha statues. The temple only lasted until the 1900s when it was destroyed in the revolutions at overthrew the Qing Dynasty. Gratefully the Buddha statue was not harmed, sadly the temple was. In 1928 a new temple was built. This is the same temple visitors see today.
What you see
When you are walking around you will be able to see two white Buddha statues. Each one is different, the first is the ‘Seated Buddha’ it is 6 feet and 5 inches tall weighting 205 pounds. This Buddha is decorated with semi precious stones. The ‘Seated Buddha’ shows the viewer that he is in his moment of mediation and enlightenment. The second Buddha is ‘Reclining Buddha’ he is 3 feet and 4 inches long. The ‘Reclining Buddha’ is lying on its right side with its right hand supporting its head and left hand on its left leg. This shape is called the ‘luck repose’ where the Buddha is in a peaceful mood. These two Buddha are both carved from white jade, making them look more vibrant.
The Jade temple is the most visited temple in Shanghai. It is situated in the busy city, but is a great place to go for someone who is looking for peace and quiet. The temple has seven structures which are: Devajara Hall, the Mahavira Hall, the Jade Buddha Tower, and Kwan-yin Hall, and Amitabha Hall, and the Tang Hall, and lastly the dining-room and Recumbent Buddha Hall. So when you travel to Shanghai make sure you stop in and see the White Buddha statues at the Jude Buddha temples.
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