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The General Buddhist Temple is a sacred place respected by Xishuangbanna believers

If you want to experience different southern Buddhist culture and visit it comfortably like a viewing area, then Xishuangbanna Mengle Dafo Temple Scenic Area can meet your expectations. If you are truly devout, you should go to the Xishuangbanna General Buddhist Temple.

Mengle Giant Buddha Temple in Xishuangbanna

Jinghong is the capital of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture. In about the mid-7th century, southern Buddhism was introduced from Myanmar to the Dai region of Yunnan. Affected by culture, the Dai and Bulang ethnic groups almost believe in "Theravada Buddhism passed down to the south." There are Buddhist temples in villages and monks in villages. The activities of chanting Buddhist scriptures to the Buddha continue all year round.

The main Buddhist temple is located in Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna. It is called "Wabaji" in Dai language. "Wa" is a temple,"dam" is a forest, and "Ji" refers to the dojo where Buddha once closed his eyes to cultivate his own cultivation and practice Dharma. "Wabaji" means that this place is like the garden where Buddha once practiced. Wabaji was built in 615 AD. It is said that it was presided over by two Burmese monks who came to Xishuangbanna to teach Dharma. It has a history of more than 1400 years. It is the first Buddhist temple built after Theravada Buddhism spread from the south was introduced to Xishuangbanna area. It has a long history and a deep Dharma connection.

About 700 years ago, Wabaji was established by Xishuangbanna as the highest-level Buddhist temple in Xishuangbanna. It was the place to release Buddhist activities throughout the territory, announce the approval of the promotion of senior monks, hold new envoys of comfort and oath ceremonies for various Meng chieftains. It enjoys a high reputation among Theravada Buddhist believers in Southeast Asia and is a sacred place respected in the hearts of all believers in Xishuangbanna.

Since its completion, the "Wabaji" Buddhist Temple has been rebuilt five times after various reasons such as war.

The fourth restoration began in 1989. The following year, the "Wabaji" Buddhist Temple was renamed the "Xishuangbanna General Buddhist Temple", restoring its status and social attributes in the Buddhist community of Xishuangbanna.

In 2009, the Xishuangbanna General Buddhist Temple was replanned and constructed. The main building of the Xishuangbanna General Buddhist Temple newly planned and rebuilt consists of the main hall, the Jietang, the Agamuni Sheli Pagoda, the Drum Tower, the Bell Tower, the Elder Liao, the Monk Liao, the Yingbin Building, the Zhai Tang and the height of about 7.9 meters. It consists of the Buddha, etc., and each main building is restored and built in accordance with the excellent traditional Dai building craftsmanship. The rebuilt General Buddhist Temple is by far the largest and most influential building in the Southern Buddhist District of Yunnan.

The main temple hall has a history of hundreds of years and has been destroyed many times. The foundation was laid and rebuilt in 2009. The main hall has two floors. The first floor is a place for monks to preach scriptures and believers to worship Buddha. A bamboo Buddha is enshrined inside.

In the world, there are stone Buddha statues, gold Buddha statues, copper Buddha statues, etc., but Buddha statues made of bamboo and rattan can only be seen in Yunnan in China. She is a magical culture and art of the Dai people, and it is also the Dai people's admiration and admiration for Buddhism.

The second floor is a place for Buddhist rituals. It houses a bronze Buddha that was carved and carved in Thailand by Thai craftsmen and opened by Thai monk kings, and members of the Thai royal family participated in the opening process. It is by far the largest bronze Buddha in Xishuangbanna Prefecture. It reflects that China and Thailand have spread Buddhism from the south from ancient times to the present, and the etiquette and regulations are consistent.

The exterior wall of the hall is inlaid with traditional embossed of the twelve zodiac animals and embossed of the eight genera, and ten dragon guardians are sculpted on the ten foyers.

Silver treasure tripods on the top of the hall shine brightly under the reflection of the sun; the entire hall shines brightly, like the Buddha's light reflecting all living beings. The main temple hall is a perfect combination of traditional Dai crafts and modern architectural culture. Today it has become the largest and most splendid building in the southern Buddhist area of Yunnan border today.

The Bell Tower and Drum Tower are Buddhist temples where Buddhist temples convey information to believers and respectfully invite the gods and Buddhas from all directions during Buddhist activities. Various changes of bells and drums are used to convey auspicious and safe messages to the people. It is also the largest Bell and Drum Tower in Xishuangbanna at present.

bell tower

Gulou

Jietang,"Bosu" in the Dai language, is a place where Buddhist scriptures are stored and the ordination ceremony is held. It is also a place where eminent monks discuss scriptures, recite precepts, discuss Buddhist affairs, and repent and atone for their own indulgence. It was completed and put into operation in 1998.

There is a saying among Buddhists: "Wherever the Bodhi Holy Tree is, the Buddha is there!"

More than 2,000 years ago, Buddha Sakyamuni sat down under a Bodhi tree and surrendered the demon army. When dawn was approaching and the morning star rose, he realized positive consciousness and became a Buddha. From then on, the Bodhi tree became the sacred tree of Buddhism.

In 2005, a Buddhist delegation composed of Sri Lanka monk and king masters, Buddhist tooth ministers, Bodhi elders, etc. traveled across the ocean, escorting a precious sacred Bodhi tree to Yunnan, China, where it was laid down at the Xishuangbanna General Buddhist Temple.

This Bodhi tree is the third generation sapling of the Bodhi tree where Buddha became Buddha and is regarded as the Holy Bodhi Tree. There is also a Bodhi tree planted by Princess Sirindhorn of Thailand when she visited the main Buddhist temple.