- TURY.CLUB
- Tourist Objects
- China
- Shaolin
- Shaolin Monastery
Shaolin came about thanks to a monk from India named Bodhidharma (Bato). According to legend, Bato chose a place for a new monastery on the slopes of Songshan, since the shape of the mountain resembles a lotus, he transferred to the Shaolin monks the first Wushu complex “eighteen Arhats hands”. This monastery is the most famous Buddhist temple in China.
Modern Shaolin is a monastery of the last Qing Dynasty. Until 1980, only a few dilapidated pavilions were preserved from the monastery - this is all that survived after the fire of 1928, when Shi Yusan, fearing an uprising, ordered the burning of the temples. But after the Chinese government decided to make a tourist center here, the monastery was restored in its original form. Obviously, the appearance of Shaolin in the era of different dynasties changed, as evidenced by the frescoes in the "White Garment Hall", which presents the monastery from the Ming Dynasty.
Today the monastery is open to visitors, three-meter stone lions guard the entrance through the southern "Mountain Gate", where you will be met by the laughing Buddha Maitreya. On the other hand, Waito is the protector of Buddhist teachings. In the first courtyard there are stone steles from organizations of the world expressing respect to Shaolin, 200 sculptures of monks are installed around the perimeter, reflecting the history of the monastery and military equipment.
At the "Hall of the Heavenly Ruler" are "diamond warriors", inside - an image of four heavenly kings. They monitor the behavior of people, bless and help those in need. The main "Hall of the Three Buddhas", symbolizing the three teachers of the past, present and future, is used for major celebrations. The walls are 18 figures of arhats. Sutras are read here daily.
