Luohou Temple

The Luohou Temple is a Buddhist temple located in Taihuai Town of Wutai County, Xinzhou, Shanxi, China.

Name

Luohou Temple was named after Rāhula and Luo Hou Luo for short, the only son of Siddhartha Gautama (commonly known as Buddha), and his wife Princess Yasodharā.

History

The temple was first established in the Tang dynasty and initially called Shanzhu Geyuan.
The temple was rebuilt in 1492, during the Hongzhi period of Ming dynasty. During the Wanli period, Concubine Li Yanfei donated property to restore the temple.
In 1705, in the 44th year of Kangxi period of Qing dynasty, the temple converted to Tibetan Buddhism. In 1792, in the 57th year of Qianlong period, the temple was reconstruction.
In 1983, the temple has been classified as a "National Key Buddhist Temple in Han Chinese Area". In 2013, Luohou Temple is listed among the 7th batch of "State Cultural Protection Relics Units" by the State Council of China.

Architecture

Luohou temple consists of more than 118 buildings. The complex includes the following halls: paifang, Tianwang-dian, Mahavira Hall, Wenshu-dian, Dafo-dian, Zangjing-ge, Fatang, Dining Room, etc.

Chinese guardian lions

On both sides of the Tianwang-dian there are two Chinese guardian lions. They were carved in the Tang dynasty.

Tianwang-dian

In the Tianwang-dian, or Hall of the Four Heavenly Kings, statues of the Four Heavenly Kings are enshrined. They are the eastern Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the southern Virūḍhaka, the western Virūpākṣa, and the northern Vaiśravaṇa.

Hall of Manjushri

The Wenshu-dian, or Hall of Manjushri, is the 2nd entry hall in the temple. A recumbent statue of Wenshu enshrined in the hall. The Manjusri Bodhisattva lies on a lotus.

Dafo-dian

Behind the Wenshu-dian is the Dafo-dian, or Great Buddha Hall, enshrining the statues of Shijiamouni, Amituofo and Yaoshi.