Longxing Temple
Popularly known as the Temple of the Great Buddha because of its giant bronze statue of the Buddha, the Longxing Si (Longxing Temple) in Zhengding County, which was originally known as the Longzang Temple, was established in 586 (6th year of the Kaihuang reign, Sui Dynasty). It was expanded during the early Song Dynasty, and expanded again and assumed its present name during the Qing Dynasty.
The temple covers an extensive area of 50,000 square meters, and the halls remaining on the premises are arrayed along the axial line. A horizontal board bearing the name "Emperor-Mandated Longxing Temple" in the handwriting of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty hangs on the lintel of the arched gate of the gate hall. The Moni Hall, that is, the Mahavira Hall, stands on a unique plan in the shape of a cross. Inside this hall is a statue of Sakyamuni in the company of his two major disciples, Manjusri and Samantabhadra. Standing on the sculpture of a mountain behind the statue of Sakyamuni is a likeness of the Goddess of Mercy portrayed in an unaffectedly fabulous posture. The 33-meter-high Mahakaruna (Great Mercy) Pavilion houses a 22-meter-high Song-Dynasty bronze sculpture of Guanyin having 1,000 hands and 1,000 eyes; for its sheer size the bronze sculpture is a rarity in China.
