Luoyang in April: Besides Peonies, You Must Also Visit the International Buddhist Temple Complex at White Horse Temple

White Horse Temple is located 12 km east of the old city of Luoyang, Henan Province. Founded in the 11th year of Yongping (68 AD), it is recognized as the first temple in China, the first official monastery built after Buddhism was introduced to China. It is known as the "Cradle of Buddhism" (祖庭) and "Source of Buddhism" (释源), with a history of over 1,900 years.

In the 7th year of Yongping of the Eastern Han Dynasty (64 AD), Liu Zhuang (son of Liu Xiu) dreamed one night of a golden figure, six zhang tall, with a radiant halo, coming from the west and flying around the palace. He then sent ministers Cai Yin, Qin Jing, and over ten others on a mission to the Western Regions to seek Buddhist scriptures and teachings. In the 10th year of Yongping (67 AD), two eminent Indian monks were invited and, together with the Eastern Han envoys, carried Buddhist scriptures and statues on a white horse back to the capital Luoyang. In the 11th year of Yongping (68 AD), Emperor Ming of Han decreed the construction of a monastery three li north of the imperial road outside Xiyong Gate in Luoyang. To commemorate the white horse carrying scriptures, it was named "White Horse Temple." The existing ruins and relics date from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties.

In recent years, with the strengthening and deepening of international cultural and religious exchanges, White Horse Temple has built a new International Buddhist Temple Complex on its west side. Currently completed are a Myanmar-style pagoda, a Thai-style temple hall, and an Indian-style temple hall.

The main structure of the Myanmar-style pagoda is a large golden stupa, built at a 3:1 scale reduction of the Shwedagon Pagoda. It is 32.92 meters high, with a base diameter of 51.71 meters. The ground floor serves as an exhibition hall, directly modeled after the Mandalay Palace of the Konbaung Dynasty in Myanmar, with festive red and resplendent gold as the main colors.

On April 10, 2012, the foundation ceremony for the Myanmar-style pagoda was held. By June 2013, all major construction was completed. In June 2014, after a year of intensive work, this magnificent and uniquely Myanmar Buddhist architectural style pagoda was fully inaugurated at White Horse Temple, becoming an important symbol of China-Myanmar Buddhist friendly exchanges.

The Thai-style temple hall was built earlier. On July 30, 1991, Mr. Wattana, a Thai Buddhist devotee, visited and worshipped at White Horse Temple. To enhance the friendship between Chinese and Thai Buddhist communities, he signed a memorandum with White Horse Temple on donating Buddha statues to the temple. The hall's foundation was laid in 1992, completed in 1995, and the inauguration and Buddha statue consecration ceremony was held in 1997.

In early 2010, to further enrich and highlight Thai Buddhist culture and promote Sino-Thai Buddhist exchanges, the Thai senior monk Pai Te Shi Tie Ge Song and Mr. Wattana visited White Horse Temple and funded the renovation and expansion of the Thai temple complex. They built walls, gates, a stupa, a scripture repository, a bell and drum tower, a four-faced Buddha shrine, pavilions, monk quarters, and other ancillary facilities.

On June 25, 2004, the former Indian Prime Minister visited White Horse Temple and devoutly paid homage to the sacred tombs of the two Indian monks She Moteng and Zhu Falan at the temple. During the visit, the idea of building an Indian-style temple hall at White Horse Temple emerged. In April 2005, then Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh jointly attended the signing ceremony of a memorandum for building an Indian temple hall at White Horse Temple in Luoyang, and it was included in the joint statement of China and India.

The Indian-style temple hall is planned on an area of 6,000 square meters, with a building area of 3,450 square meters. The layout of the main building is regular and ingeniously designed. In the center of the main hall, a statue of the Buddha preaching is enshrined. The ceiling is fitted with a glass skylight, allowing sunlight to shine through and illuminate the statue.

After dozens of months of meticulous construction, the Indian-style temple hall held a grand inauguration ceremony in 2010. The entire hall is exquisitely decorated, with elegant style, wonderful carvings, and meticulous detail, resembling a Western paradise. This Buddhist building in classical Indian style stands alongside the traditional Chinese Buddhist temple, becoming a symbol of enduring friendship between the Chinese and Indian peoples.

After the hall's completion, successive Indian leaders have also donated national treasures such as various styles of Indian Buddha statues to White Horse Temple.

In the long river of history, White Horse Temple, with its long heritage, has established its religious status as the first ancient temple in China. In today's world cultural exchanges, White Horse Temple is undertaking a unique mission of the times, radiating a unique contemporary charm. We look forward to the International Buddhist Temple Complex at White Horse Temple presenting even more splendid world civilizations to the world.