Famen Temple, Buddhist temple in Fufeng County, China
Famen Temple is a Buddhist complex in Shaanxi Province that includes prayer halls, a museum, and the large Heshi Dagoba. The site spreads across a wide area with multiple courtyards connected by stone pathways.
The complex was founded during the Eastern Han Dynasty in the third century and grew into an important pilgrimage site. It reached its greatest importance during the Tang Dynasty when it received royal support and became a repository for sacred relics.
The name Famen translates as "gateway to Buddhist teachings," reflecting the role this site has played as a place where monks study and worshippers come to pay respects. Visitors today see pilgrims lighting incense near the pagoda and walking through courtyards designed for contemplation.
The temple opens daily in the morning and closes in the early evening, with a single ticket granting access to all areas. Shuttle buses from Xian provide direct connection to the complex, and a visit typically takes several hours.
An underground chamber was discovered in the late 1980s and held hundreds of treasures in gold, silver, pearls, and jade. The finds also included finger sariras that had been hidden for centuries and are now displayed in the museum.
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