There are many temples throughout China that named as Baima Temple (While Horse Temple). Among all, the White Horse Temple which located about 12 kilometers to the east of Luoyang, Henan Province is the most popular one. It was built on the 11th year of Eastern Han Dynasty and was proven as the first Buddhism Temple in China. There are many precious Buddhism statues kept within the temple which serve as the evidence of the first appearance of Buddhism in China throughout the history.
Strategically located adjacent to Luoyang City, White Horse Temple is surrounded by green ancient trees in a tranquil and solemn atmosphere. A clear pond with fences outside the gate of the temple is for the believers to set free the captive animals. While crossing through a stone bridge over the pond, then you will arrive at the entrance of the temple. The tombs of She Moteng and Zhu Falan, the Indian monks who came with the delegation of Emperor Ming were constructed to the east and west of the temple’s gate. Both these tombs are one of the six most popular attractions in the temple.
The Tianwangdian (Hall of Heavenly Kings) of White Horse Temple was a wooden architecture that built in Yuan Dynasty. There are over 50 dragons that carved on the wooden structure which shows the typical example of the architectural style of Qing Dynasty. On the other hand, the Hall of the Great Buddha is the hall that boats the most spectacular architecture in the whole temple. The roof of the hall is covered with exquisite pan tiles with remarkable Ming style eaves structure. A statue of Sakyamuni is enshrined at the center of the hall with his two disciples on his sides. All these statues are carved with smooth lines and demonstrate a high level of craftsmanship of the Ming Dynasty.
As the smallest hall in the temple, Hall of Guidance is the place where Amitabha Buddha is worshipped. The Bodhisattva of Moonlight and the Goddess of Mercy which captured in clay that produced in Qing Dynasty is placed on his right and left. Besides that, the most magnificent architecture throughout the temple would be the Hall of Mahavira. Thousands wooden statues of Buddhist figures on the walls and colorful lotus patterns that carved on the roof have made the hall to be outstanding in comparison with others. It was proved that the statues that enshrined within the hall were produced in Yuan Dynasty but the colors on that statues are still bright until now.