Jade Buddha Temple

Jade Buddha Temple was first built in 1882, but destroyed during Warring periods. The present structure was built in 1918 and located on the intersection of Anyuan and Jiangning Roads. It includes the Hall of Heavenly King, Mahavira Hall, Jade Buddha Hall, Reclining Buddha Hall,  Kwan-yin Hall, Bronze Buddha Hall, Buddhism classrooms, guest rooms, religious offices, and a dining hall for monks.

The essence of the temple is the two jade Buddhist statues brought back from Burma by the Monk Huigen for Putuo Mountain during the Qing Dynasty. One is the Jade Sitting Buddha, kept in the Jade Buddha Hall. It is 190 centimeters tall, covered with agate and emeralds-donated by worshippers.  This statue was carved to illustrate the Buddha’s method of meditation and his resulting state of enlightenment. The other is the reclining Buddha, kept in the Reclining Buddha Hall. This statue is 96 centimeters in length, and lies on its right side with the right hand holding the head and the left hand on the left leg depicting the peaceful state of Sakyamuni when he left this world. Opposite to it is a 4 meters long reclining Buddha brought from Singapore by the tenth abbot of the temple in 1989.

Whether you are a Buddhist or not, the Jade Buddha Temple is an ideal place to escape the urban throngs and soak up some culture. The peaceful, serene atmosphere that pervades will help even the most stressed of tourists unwind and relax.