Home  > Asoka Temple
Asoka Temple
Asoka Temple

Sitting at the piedmont of Yuwang and Mount Mao, Yin County, Asoka Temple is one of the Five Mountains of Buddhism's Chan Sect (Zen) in China. As a famous temple of Chan sect of Buddhism in China, Asoka Temple has an important role in the history of Buddhism in China and in the history of Sino-Japanese cultural exchanges. Especially, the Real Body Relic of Sakyamuni, treasure of the Buddha Kingdom, enshrined in the temple. As a temple that keeps the exquisite sputa with the Sykyamuni's sarira and, the temple enjoys a very high reputation among Buddhist believers both at home and abroad. Formerly Asoka Temple located at the foot of Yuji Mountain, and it was built in 282 the Western Jin Dynasty (265-316), and then moved to where it stands now. After experienced several rises and declines, the existing buildings are those rebuilt after the Qing Dynasty (1644-1840). In 1980, it underwent a complete renovation. Now the whole temple occupies an area of 124,100 square meters. The existing 22,867 square meters structure area comprises more than 600 halls, towers and pavilions, which were built along the hillside. The Sputa, 1.4 meters high and 0.7 meter wide, is four cornered and five storied carved with Buddha figures on each. On the interior top hangs a Baoqing (Golden Bell) with a relic bone from the top of Sakyamuni's skull. For long, Asoka Temple has survived such natural and man-made disasters as fires in 1930 and 1958, air bombings during domestic wartime, typhoon in 1956 and devastation of the Cultural Revolution. Since 1979, with the help of special funds appropriated by the government, the Temple has assumed a new look to meet visitors from home and abroad. Historical records of Buddhist sources show that in the third century BC, King Asoka, who unified India, became a Buddhist and began to carry forward Buddhist doctrines. After Sakyamuni passed away, King Asoka ordered to build pagodas with the body relic (bone ash) of Sakyamuni. He ordered his people to build pagodas in any alleged Auspicious Places all over the world to place the real body relic of Sakyamuni. Totally 84,000 pagodas were built. According to the records of Buddhist scriptures, the number of such pagodas in China is nineteen. Because such temples were built by the order of King Asoka, they were named King Asoka Pagoda.

Asoka Temple Tours

Hangzhou & Ningbo & Shaoxing & Mt. Putuo & Shanghai 8-Day Package

Hangzhou & Ningbo & Shaoxing & Mt. Putuo & Shanghai 8-Day Package
  • Tour Code: SH0119
  • Duration:8 days
  • Market Price:$700
  • Our Price: $690
  • Highlights:
  • Besides Mt. Putuo, you also have the chance to visit several popular tourist cities nearby. This 8-day tour is a combination of highlights of Hangzhou, Shaoxing, Ningbo, Mt. Putuo and Shanghai.
City(Sight)
Keywords
Customized Tours
China Theme Tours
Chinese food tours, Chinese cuisine, China gourmet tours, China dishes, Chinese food culture

Chinese Yummy Food Tour

A trip in Gourmet Kingdom is waiting for you.

East China tours, East China travel, top cities in east China, East China top cities

Top 5 Cities in East China

Welcome to the Top 5 Ultimate Cities in East China.

Shanghai expo tour, Shanghai expo 2010, 2010 Shanghai expo tour, Shanghai expo Canada hall

World Expo 2010 Shanghai

Welcome to join in the biggest aggregation of human culture.

online service!
why choose us?
China Travel Attractions
Central China Tours

Central China

Three Gorges  |  Mt. Huangshan