|
 Xiangguo
Temple (Prime Minister’s
Temple) was first built
in 555 AD, during the
Northern Qi Dynasty
(550-577 AD), when
Chinese Buddhism was at
one of its peaks in
history. Since then, the
temple has had its ups
and downs, in close
relation to the fortunes
of the city that
surrounds it. The temple
has all along retained,
however, great
significance as an
academic institution
with the people in
central China.
The temple developed its
role as one of the main
Buddhist centers in
China during the Tang
Dynasty (618-907 AD),
when the temple was
bestowed with its
present name by the
emperor of the day.
Nowadays the temple
resembles the rebuilding
that was made during the
Qing Dynasty, 1976,
although restoration has
taken place many times
since then. The temple
has also been affected
by modern commercialism,
and the entertainments
center in the front
courtyard is the worst
of this. |
