Xian Famen Temple

Famen Temple is located in Famen Town 120km northwest of Xi'an. Although this temple is a fair distance from Xi'an, it is a fascinating place with an intriguing history and it is worth making the effort to get here.

Famen Temple was established in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25--220), to spread the teachings of Buddha. The most representative structures in the temple are the Famen Temple Pagoda and Famen Temple Museum.

At the center of the temple is the 13-story octagonal pagoda under which it is said; a sliver finger bone of Sakyamuni (the founder of Buddhism) is buried. In 1981, subsidence of the pagoda led to reconstruction, during which, an Underground Palace was unexpected discovered in 1987. Many royal treasures and jewelry were found here-more than 2,000 pieces surrounded the Tang mandala (geometric designs, usually circular, symbolizing the universe). The most precious is the veritable Finger Bone of the Sakyamuni Buddha. At present, this is the biggest Buddhist underground palace so far discovered.
Legend has it that in 147 AD King Asoka of India traveled throughout Asia, distributing Buddhist relics as atonement for his sins and war like attitude. In China, he built this Temple and left the fingers of Buddha to be enshrined here.

Tang Dynasty Emperors revered this sacred relic and regularly walked through the streets with the fingers followed by a huge worshipping procession. The Tang Emperors offered wonderful gifts to the fingers in an attempt to better their predecessors' offerings.

The museum here is excellent and contains various objects from the Tang dynasty including sacrificial offerings and royal gifts.

back to Xian

• Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses
• Ancient City Wall
• Big Wild Goose Pagoda
• Bell Tower
• Forest of Steles
• Great Mosque
• Huaqing Hot Spring
• Mt. Huashan
• Farmers Cave Houses
• Xian Nightlife

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