“A pagoda!” I exclaimed. The Longxing Temple near Chengdu holds a story etched in stone and shaken by the earth. We stand before a testament to resilience. It is a monument to faith. This is the story of Longxing Temple.
Longxing Temple is located north of Chengdu in Pengzhou city. It was once known as Peng county. Imagine this pagoda centuries ago. In 1786, disaster struck. An earthquake shook the region. The northeastern corner of the pagoda crumbled. A massive crack scarred its face. Yet, it stood defiant.
Luther Knight, an American photographer, captured its image in 1913. His photos offer a glimpse into its past. They reveal the damage and the enduring spirit of the temple. Knight’s work is preserved in “Looking back at Chengdu: Through the Lens of an American Photographer in the early Twentieth Century”. The book shows the Longxing Temple through his eyes.
Now fast forward to the Sui Dynasty (581 – 618 AD). Pule Temple was established. It was also called Xinglong Temple or Longxing Temple. Centuries later, in 1063 AD, it was rebuilt. The purpose was to house sariras and other sacred relics. These relics added to its spiritual significance.
Fazang monk journeyed west in 970 AD. He was from the Kingdom of Yutian. He acquired a Buddha statue, sariras, and a Bodhi tree. A pagoda was erected to safeguard these treasures. It became a beacon for pilgrims.
In September 2008, a project began. The goal was to reinforce and renovate the pagoda. During this work, the Sacred Skull Bone and sariras were unearthed. They are now housed in a museum nearby. They attract visitors.
The Longxing Temple stands as a symbol of history. It is a landmark that has witnessed earthquakes and renovations. It has housed sacred relics. It continues to inspire awe and reverence. Its walls echo with centuries of prayers and stories. The Longxing Temple invites us to reflect on the past and embrace the present.