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China Temples
It is hard to calculate exactly the total number of temples that are present all over China. Chinese temples vary in size from Taoist hut in back alleys to outstanding Tibetan Buddhist Drepung Monastery, the principal and wealthiest monastery, which spreads over an area of more than 200 thousand square meters.
Buddhism made its way into China in the first century AD at some stage in China's Eastern Han Dynasty that reigned during 25 AD to 220 AD. Two types of Indian Buddhist buildings made their way into the country. One was Buddhist caves dug into precipices, hills or mountain edges, which accommodates a huge quantity of Buddha images, pagodas as well as monk dwellings. The second was architectural clusters, which contain temple halls, pagodas along with monk dwellings. Architects during the period merged the second one with conventional Chinese architecture technique and shaped Chinese type temple buildings.
Taoist and Buddhist temples
- Taoist temples are thus much similar to their Buddhist equivalent, taking the shape of conventional Chinese courtyard and palace construction.
- One is likely to be puzzled between these two but from the ornamental figures and deities which individuals worship, one can recognize whether it's a Buddhist temple or a Taoism one.
- Dissimilar from a Buddhist temple which contains two warriors safeguarding the gate, a Statue of Dragon and Lion perform the same role in a Taoist temple; in the chief hall, the trinity San Qing or Three Pure Gods, are symbolized as Yu Qing or Jade Pure, Shang Qing or Upper Pure and Tai Qing or Great Pure, the four Heavenly Emperors in Taoism substitute the Buddha trinity and four Heavenly Kings in Buddhism; and the tales exemplified in Taoist murals portray a more mortal world of ordinary people rather than divine or holy Buddhist world and clay figures placed in the hall are more akin to ordinary individuals.
Ordinary ornamental figures relate to Taoist structures consist of a tortoise entwined with a snake, elephants, lions, gourds which is supposed to include the immortal pills and additional Taoism linked things. If one takes a careful look one will discover that numerous Taoism philosophy and values are related to Taoist architecture. It is acknowledged that Timber structure is one of conventional Chinese architecture traits which characterizes Chinese architecture and is one of the three architecture techniques employed in the world. China has numerous world renowned bridges as well as tomb structures which are constructed of stones in addition to bricks, so timber is not the lone preference for Chinese architects. Nonetheless there is an extensive utilization of timber in all Chinese palace architecture, particularly in Taoism.
A distinctive aspect of Taoism temple construction is the up-turned eaves. This up-turned arrangement with a striking curve imparts an impulsive and vigorous style and represents a journey to the wonderland in Taoism. Confucius, who was the originator of Confucianism in China, was a theorist, moralist, statesman and educationist, but no religious leader. The beliefs and wisdom of Confucius have had an immense impact on Chinese feudalist society in the political, philosophic as well as cultural spheres. People constructed thousands of Confucius Temples, known as Kong Miao or Wen Miao to honor him. At the present time, almost 300 of these temples have lived through the ages. Among them the Confucius Temples in Qufu, Shangdong Province and Beijing are extremely well-known. Confucius temples are calm and serene.