Jingci Temple

From Wiki China org cn

Jingci Temple (Temple of Pure Benevolence) (http://www.morehangzhou.com/venue/lifestyle/hot-spots/venue-1798-open.html) is noted for its Evening Bell at Nanping Hill, one of the top 10 attractions of West Lake. The temple became well-known as early as in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) when it was regarded as one of the four famous Buddhist temples by the West Lake.

The temple is laid out in three yards. In the first yard stands the Heavenly Guardian Hall, with Maitreya Buddha facing the temple gate and Skanda standing at the back. In the second yard is the temple’s largest building, called the Hall of Mahavira which enshrines Sakyamuni flanked by Kasyapa and Ananda. On both side of the main hall are Bodhisattvas of ten stages and twenty devas. The Hall of Three Saints in the third yard is dedicated to Amita Saints: Amitabha, Avalokitesvara and Mahasthamaprapta.

Two more buildings are of historical importance. One is the 500-Arhat Hall and the other is the bell tower where the Evening Bell at Nanping Hill originated. Japanese disciples of the Soto Sect come here every year to celebrate the New Year’s Eve by striking the bell as many as 108 times.

Jingci Temple