The Temple of Enlightenment [Beijing]

Dajue Temple is situated at the foot of the Yangtai Mountains. It was built in the Liao Dynasty. Facing east, the buildings reflect the "turning to the Sun" custom of the Khitan (Liao) architecture. There is a clear spring flowing into the temple, so it was called "Clear Spring Court". It was once one of the eight "Water" temples of the western Mountains of the emperor Zhangzong of Jin Dynasty (936 ~ 946) and was called "Magic Spring Temple". It was rebuilt in 1428 during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Ming Dynasty (1368 ~ 1644) and was renamed "Dajue Temple". From 1446 during the reign of Zhengtong to 1478 during the reign of Chenghua of the Ming Dynasty and during the reign of the Kangxi and Qianlong emperors of the Qing Dynasty (1644 ~ 1911), the temple was continuously extended and rebuilt until it reached its present scale.

The temple was established on the mountain slope on an east-west axis. The halls are large and simple but elegant. Their layout is concentrated but possesses impressive depth and breadth.

There are many precious relics in the temple. One such relics is the stele of "The Memorandum for Creating the Tripitaka in Qingshui Court on Yangtai Mountains", which is actually the historical record of the construction of the temple. Another is a carved Buddhist sutra. The status of the Goddess of Mercy in the Amitahba Hall is an outstanding work of art of the Qing Dynasty.

The life-sized figures of Bodhisattvas and lokapalas (guardians of Buddhist truths) in the Mahavira Hall are outstandingly beautiful. What is more, many tablets and inscriptions by Ming and Qing Dynasty emperors are well preserved in the temple. In the mountains surrounding the Dajue Temple. forests flourish and clear water sparkles in secluded and beautiful settings. Ancient cypresses reach skyward, verdant green bamboo sways gently in the breeze and fragrant magnolia and rustling gingko spread their fame throughout Beijing.

Dajue Temple is a historic monument under the protection of the Beijing municipal government.