The Most ‘Thriving’ Thousand-Year-Old Temple: Free Admission Includes a Stick of Incense, Visitors Flock In
With the rapid development of society, our stress is increasing, and more and more people like to travel to relax. However, many scenic spots are crowded due to their popularity, and our original mood is unconsciously destroyed. At this time, we need to choose a quiet scenic spot to relieve our stress.
Xiamen is a coastal city in China with beautiful scenery and pleasant weather throughout the year, attracting tourists every year. We usually visit attractions like Gulangyu and Xiamen University, and Putuo Temple is one of them. Putuo Temple is located in the Wulaofeng area of Xiamen, and its incense is very prosperous, partly because of Putuo Temple's policy of providing free admission and a 'jinhua' (incense stick), reflecting the local people's belief in Guanyin Bodhisattva, which is quite unique.
The 'Jinhua' (incense sticks) are offered by Mount Putuo's Grand Hall of the Sakyamuni Buddha. The Grand Hall is the central part of the temple, and the architecture inside is characteristic of Minnan style.
The Grand Hall houses three statues: Amitabha Buddha, Guanyin Bodhisattva, and Manjushri Bodhisattva. It is also where all the monks at Putuo Temple chant scriptures, with morning and evening sessions held here. Listening to the temple bells and monks chanting is a mandatory part of any visitor's experience at Putuo Temple.
The Grand Hall of the Great Mercy has an octagonal shape, with each corner pointing towards the sky, and the distance between the two corners is consistent. The Great Mercy Temple was established during the Ming Dynasty and has a history of over 400 years. Due to the long time, the original wooden structure has deteriorated, so it was rebuilt with a modern concrete and steel structure to preserve the Grand Hall.
Xiamen's Putuo Temple has many attractions, but whether it's a hall or a spot, it undoubtedly showcases the temple's Buddhist atmosphere and grandeur, attracting countless visitors to worship.
