Jietai Temple, Buddhist temple in Mentougou District, Beijing, China.
Jietai Temple is a Buddhist monastery in the Mentougou District of Beijing, situated on a hilltop with buildings arranged along a central axis from the entrance upward. The layout includes the Hall of the Heavenly King, bell and drum towers, and the prominent ordination altar as the focal point.
The site was originally founded in 622 during the Tang Dynasty under the name Huiju Temple. Its current importance developed in 1069 when Buddhist master Fajun established the major ordination altar, transforming it into a center for monastic ordination ceremonies.
The temple functions as a major site for Buddhist ordination ceremonies, where monks gather to take and renew their religious vows in front of one of China's largest altars. This practice remains visible in the layout and decoration of the main spaces.
The temple sits on a hilltop and requires walking uphill through the buildings, so comfortable shoes and steady pace are recommended for all visitors. Plan enough time to explore the different sections without rushing through the grounds.
The temple grounds are home to ancient pine trees from the Tang and Song dynasties whose needles create a sound like ocean waves when wind passes through the branches. This natural phenomenon is a memorable sensory experience that many visitors overlook.
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