Guiyuan Temple


As one of the four biggest Buddhist temples in Hubei Province, the Guiyuan Temple is very famous in
wuhan as well as an important Buddhist temple in China. It was originally built by a monk named Bai
Guang in 1658. It was named upon the Buddhist hymn: "Return to original purity without other resort,
there would be many ways if it is at discretion."

Covering an area of 46,900 square meters with a floor space of 20,000 square meters, the temple
mainly consists of Daxiongbaodian Hall, Arhat Hall, Sutra Collection Pavilion, etc. Most of the buildings,
Buddhist sutras, Buddhist Sculptures survived from the devastation of the Cultural Revolution. They are
in a good state of preservation now. Among them, 500 gold arhat sculptures in the Arhat Hall is one of
main features of the temple.

Mahavira Hall is the main hall of the temple. The sculptures of Sakyamuni and his disciples are enshrined in this hall. A group of Guan-yin and
Buddhist sculptures are situated behind Sakyamuni.

Arhat Hall is even more awe-inspiring due to its 500 sculptures. Some of the sculptures are sitting, some are standing, others are reading or
contemplating, while still more are simply just happy or sad. Each of the 500 sculptures features a uinque pose and appearance which make the
hall truly a mine of art.
 
Sutra Collection Pavilion was originally built in 1669, but was destroyed during the war with the Japanese. In 1997 a new pavilion was built on the
same site, replicating the original style and dimensions.

Guiyuan Temple is famous not only for spreading Buddhism throughout the whole country, but also for
perfect architecture, excellent sculpture and rich collection of Buddhist doctrine among Buddhist
temples.

Guiyuan Temple has survived through more than 300 hundred years of repeated cycles of prosperity and
decline, above all else, it is always leading the other temple in Wuhan with prosperous public worship,
flourishing Buddhist ceremony and many pilgrims.