Green Dragon Temple is a famous Buddhist Temple from the Tang
Dynasty (618-907). When it was built in 582, it was called Linggan
Temple (Temple of Inspiration) and then renamed to its present one in
711. When Buddhism was prevalent during the Tang Dynasty, some Japanese
monks were sent to China to study Buddhism. Six of them studied at Green
Dragon Temple, and this led to a flourishing period of the temple in
the ninth century.
Kukai, the most learned of the six monks, made great progress in
learning Buddhist sutras, Sanskrit, poems and Chinese calligraphy. After
his return to Japan in 806, he advocated the building of a Vagra Temple
(Vagra means Buddhist Warrior Attendant) and founded the Zhenyan Sect
(the True Word Sect). He is highly honored by both Japanese and Chinese,
and in 1982 Kukai Monument was constructed inside the Green Dragon
Temple.
For uncertain reasons the Green Dragon Temple which had no fortune,
like other ancient temples was destroyed. This was perhaps during the
Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127).
The present temple was reconstructed in 1963. Memorial halls for
the earlier monks and exhibition halls with some excavations displayed
are all built in the Tang architectural style.
Green Dragon Temple is a place where the cherry blossoms can be
enjoyed. Every year during May and June, an endless stream, of tourists
comes to appreciate its beauty. |
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