Manjusri Temple

Manjusri Temple in Mt. Wutai is located on the top of Gridhrakuta peak. The splendid and magnificent architecture is in the imperial palace style. It is the largest Lama monastery in Mt. Wutai.

♦ History of Manjusri Temple
Manjusri Temple, in Chinese called Pu Sa Ding, means the residence of Manjusri. Built in Xiaowen Emperor period (471 - 499), Manjusri Temple experienced many times rebuilding. When in Ming Dynasty Yongle Emperor period, Lama from Tibet and Mongolia areas gradually stayed in Manjusri Temple, and it became 

the top temple of Yellow Sect among temples in Wutai Mountain. When in Qing Dynasty both Kangxi Emperor and Qianlong Emperor did worship ceremonies in Mt. Wutai. Both of them stay in Manjusri Temple. So during the Qing Dynasty, Manjusri Temple became the imperial temple, in a noble situation.

♦ Structure of Manjusri Temple
The temple was built along the mountainous area with a well-design structure. There are 108 stone steps in front of the temple. Inside, Hall of Heavenly Kings, Drum & Bell Pavillion, Mahavira Hall, etc. Each hall is covered by three-colored glazed tiles. Although it has experienced hundreds of year, the halls are still in nice colors. In the stele pavilion in east courtyard, there are two imperial monuments. Each monument is in a height of 6 meters. The characters on the monument were carved in four minorities characters - Han minority, Man minority, Mongolian minority and Tibetan minority. The content was mainly about the history of Manjusri Temple and the event of Qianlong Emperor did worship in Mt. Wutai. The preserved architectures in Manjusri Temple are all rebuilt in Qing Dynasty. So the decorations and structures are all based on imperial style with high cultural value, especially the carving arts inside it.

♦ Stories about Manjusri Temple
► Cauldrons in the Temple
In the backyard of Manjusri Temple, there are four large copper cauldrons. These cauldrons were once used for cooking porridge during the Buddhism ceremonies which were held annually. The smallest one is in a diameter nearly 2 meters. It is said that during in a winter, a small monk was doing washing inside the cauldron. He could not get out till the others found a ladder to help him.
 

► Stone Lions in the TempleBetween the two stone lions on the gate of Manjusri Temple, you may find there is a stone lion without tongue. It is a rare design in stone lion carving works. It is said that during the rebuilding moment in Kangxi Period in Qing Dynasty, the porridge was always not enough for all the people in the temple. The cook monk finally found the porridge was eaten by the stone lion furtively. So he put a knife inside the cauldron. When the stone lion ate the porridge, the knife just cut down the tongue.

► A Clay Sculpture Manjusri Statue
In the west hall of the front yard of Manjusri Temple, there is a clay sculpture Manjusri Statue. In the past, this statue carried an arrow with the right shoulder. It is said that the arrow was shoot by Qianlong Emperor. Nowadays, there is no arrow on the statue, but the title “Arrow-carry Manjusri” which sent by Qianlong Emperor is still popular.