Big Wild Goose Pagoda

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Елена Березицкая

Level 29 Local Expert

The large Wild Goose Pagoda appeared in the middle of the 7th century, when Chang'an, as Xi'an was then called, was the capital of the Empire. The name of the building is connected with the legend that there were 2 monastic communities on this place, in one the consumption of meat was welcomed, in the other it was forbidden. One day, a monk of fellow meat-eaters who had been left without food, saw a flock of geese flying by, and thought about food and God's mercy, as one of the birds immediately fell to the ground. Realizing that meat-eating is associated with the death of living beings, the monks believed that followers of the Buddha's teachings should not eat meat, and founded a cult sanctuary at the site of the fall. Later, when Monk Xuanzang returned to China with sacred works after a trip to India, with the consent of the emperor, a 5-tiered pagoda was built on the temple grounds in 648 (652). The scientist and philosopher settled there and translated 74 sutras in 19 years. Over the years, the temple has acquired a Buddhist orientation. Now, after a series of earthquakes and reconstruction, the 64-meter-high brick (and not wooden, like others) pagoda is open to tourists. The relics of Shakyamuni Buddha are kept here. From a height of 7 tiers, you can view the monastery complex itself and its surroundings, and see the monument to the famous monk on the square. The memorial hall of Xuanzang is filled with magnificent carved frescoes about his travels, ancient manuscripts, and artifacts from the Tang Dynasty. Around the buildings with statues of deities there is a picturesque park with gazebos, sculptural statues and a sacred bell, where an atmosphere of privacy and tranquility reigns. The monks seem to be alone with themselves, although they do not shy away from people. A few photos do not show all the details, but there is a lot of cognitive and eye-catching on the territory. Everything is unusual and interesting, expertly made and perfectly organized. I liked it very much and I will remember it for a long time. It is not for nothing that this landmark, significant for Xi'an, is recognized as a World Heritage Site.

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Александр Бровкин

Level 9 Local Expert

It's a beautiful place. An interesting history of the origin of the name. It was originally built as a library for studying literature on Buddhism, imported from India.

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Big Wild Goose Pagoda

2 reviews