The First Buddhist Temple - White Horse Temple

White Horse Temple was the first Buddhist temple in China, established under the patronage

of Emperor Ming in the Eastern Han capital Luoyang in the year 68. White Horse Temple is

one of the oldest Buddhist temples. It is only 12 kilometers from Luoyang city.

According to the Book of Later Han history, Emperor Ming was said to have a strange dream

one night. Later he ordered the construction of the White Horse Temple to remember the horse

that carried back the sutras.

The temple compound covers an area 40,000 square meters, and faces south. A stone archway

has been recently built in front of the original gate. Between the archway and gate lies a pool with

fountains, spanned by three stone bridges.

The first version of the Chinese Sutra of Forty-two Sections was produced within

the temple. The temple then increased in importance as Buddhism grew within China, and

spread to Korea, Japan and Vietnam. The introduction of Buddhism in China was also a

significant influence on Chinese morals, thought and ethics.

Now White Horse Temple is developing an international temple. The leader from many countries

visit and builddifferent style temple buildings .There are India Hall ,Myanmar and Thai temple .

Chinese people also can visit and know their Buddhist culture.

 

                                                                   ------  reprint news of China Royal Gardens