Dazhao Temple (Hohhot)

Dazhao
Religion
AffiliationTibetan Buddhism
SectGelug
Location
LocationHohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
CountryChina
Architecture
FounderAltan Khan
Date established1579 or 1580
Preview warning: Page using Template:Infobox Tibetan Buddhist monastery with unknown parameter "image_size"
Dazhao Temple
Chinese name
Chinese
Literal meaningGreat Juu (Mongolian Temple) Temple
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinDàzhào Sì
Wade–GilesTa-chao Ssu
Hongci Temple
Chinese
Literal meaningTemple of Great Compassion
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinHóngcí Sì
Wade–GilesHung-tz'u Ssu
Wuliang Temple
Traditional Chinese
Simplified Chinese
Literal meaningTemple of Immeasurability
Immeasurable Temple
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinWúliàng Sì
Wade–GilesWu-liang Ssu
Silver Buddha Temple
Traditional Chinese
Simplified Chinese
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinYínfó Sì
Wade–GilesYin-fo Ssu
Tibetan name
Tibetanདཔག་མེད་གླིང་།།
Mongolian name
Mongolian scriptᠴᠠᠭᠯᠠᠰᠢ ᠦᠭᠡᠢ ᠰᠦᠮ᠎ᠡ
Manchu name
Manchu scriptᠵᡝᠴᡝᠨ ᠠᠠᠠᡡ ᠰᡟ

Dazhao Temple, also known as the Hongci or Wuliang Temple and as the Ih Juu (Mongolian: ᠶᠡᠬᠡ ᠵᠤᠤ, sci Yeke Juu, SASM/GNC Ih Jûû, "Great Temple"), is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Gelugpa order in the city of Hohhot in Inner Mongolia in North China. It is the oldest and largest temple in the city and is located West of Danan Street in the Yuquan District.

In 1557, when the Tümed Mongol leader Altan Khan began its construction, it was the first building of Hohhot; the rest of the city subsequently growing around it. The temple is said to have been completed in 1579[1][2] during the Ming dynasty.[3]

The Dazhao Temple owns its fame to its astounding 10 ft (3.0 m) silver Sakyamuni Buddha statue. The 3rd Dalai Lama, Sonam Gyatso, visited the temple in 1586 and consecrated the silver Buddha statue.[4] As a consequence, Hohhot became a religious center for people from all over Mongolia who came to receive its blessings.[5]

The temple also has a shrine that was dedicated to the Kangxi Emperor in the late 17th century and murals in the hallway that commemorate his visit. Dazhao Temple also exhibits an impressive collection of musical instruments and dragon sculptures relating to Mongol legends.

The monastery is a venue for Buddhist festivals held throughout the year.

  1. ^ According to the official plaque outside the temple.
  2. ^ Also according to the history of Hohhot temples which can be found at the Temple Culture Exhibition of Hohhot located at Five Pagoda Temple (Hohhot)
  3. ^ "Dazhao Temple". Travel China Guide. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  4. ^ For this reason, the temple is also sometimes known as the Silver Buddha Temple (Yinfo Si).
  5. ^ "Dazhao Temple". Travel China Guide. Retrieved 18 January 2017.