Dagoba in Hualin Temple

                                 [Guangzhou Daily]

In 1701, a new Sari jeon was built in Hualin Temple for preserving the Dagoba. The 7-metre, hexahedral Dagoba is a tower made of dolomite. It has altogether 7 stories and 6 carven doors on each floor, all delicate and of magnificent patterns. The box preserving Buddha's relics, which had been kept under the central base of the Dagoba, was first found when the Dagoba was removed to Guangzhou Lan Pu (Orchid Garden) in 1965. It has four layers from inside to outside, which were made of stone, wood, copper and silver respectively. The exterior stone cover is carved with 3 red Chinese characters: She Li Zi (Buddha's relics). The box dates back to the year 1701, as demonstrated by the inscription on the copper box cover which has peal, amber and agalloch inside. The silver box is carved with lotus patterns and dots.

                                     [Guangzhou Daily]

In 1994, the returned Dagoba was placed in the north of the temple, opposite to the temple gate. It remained in good conditions after 300 years. In 1996, Buddha's relics, which were once preserved in the Dagoba and later kept by the Bureau of Urban Utilities and Landscaping of Guangzhou Municipality, found its way back to Hualin Temple finally.

(Translated by Feng Jinbao and Proofread by Alan Devey)

Source: www.lifeofguangzhou.com

Editor: Carrot Chan