The elegant emerald hills of Mount Emei Shan ring with a beautiful truth that has powerfully resounded throughout the ages. Emerging from this glorious symphony is the Baoguo Temple, which draws the faithful masses to congregate here in their hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands over almost two millennia.
A favourite site of contemplatives throughout its legacy, the Baoguo Temple now stands as an important hub of Buddhist philosophy and practice, and also as a portal that opens into Mount Emei Shan. Mist-draped mountains and cool climes abound here, providing a soothing space to engage in deep meditation and engaged contemplation as a means to connect with the heart of one’s own “Buddhahood”.
Emanating a special aura of time is the beautiful Shengji Evening Bell, which dates back to the Ming Dynasty. This stunning 25-ton beauty comes up second only in comparison with the Great Bell in Beijing. Its powerful sound resounds with all the majesty of the ages as a large tree trunk connects with its sweet spot, making it echo its glorious sounds to the temple, vibrating its aged bricks, then reverberating admits the peaks beyond. It is said that the magnificent song of the bell can be heard at a distance of 9 miles or 15 kilometres away from the source.
In addition to the impressive Shengji Evening Bell, the temple enshrines a valuable set of artefacts that pay homage to the principles that birthed her. Venture into the Maitreya Hall, the Seven Buddha Hall and the Great Buddha Hall to savour the exquisite renderings of various Buddha avatars from the annals of time, who continue to resonate in the world at large, their names and lives providing inspiration for millions of the faithful scattered worldwide.
The porcelain Buddha is a particularly enthralling sight to behold, as this priceless rendition came to life in 1415, and depicts the Bringer of Wisdom in his supremely serene pose seated upon a lotus throne.
Of particular interest to scholars, the Depository of Buddhist texts take those who peruse the lofty volumes on fantastic journeys throughout the Buddha’s life and the enchanting events that frame the narrative of his birth, enlightenment, and death.
This beautiful temple should be included on any cultural tours of the area, to acquire a glimpse into the practices of the Buddhist faithful throughout the region’s history. It would make sense to book a Sichuan hotel close by to ensure easy access to this and other sites in the area. The Anantara Emei Resort & Spa, China is widely considered one of the finest Emeishan hotels, as it features luxurious rooms and amenities, graced with that ever-important hospitality for a sublime retreat in China’s jade hills.
