Jade Buddha Temple (Yu Fo Si) - Enshrine Two Jade Buddha Statues

Jade Buddha Temple (玉佛寺) is a famous Buddhist temple peacefully nestled in the bustling downtown area of Shanghai. Considered one of Shanghai's top 10 attractions, the Jade Buddha Temple offers visitors a meaningful spiritual experience.

The Jade Buddha Temple has a history spanning over 100 years. In 1882, during the Qing Dynasty, a Buddhist monk named Huigen (慧根) journeyed from Mount Putuo (普陀山) to Tibet, India, and finally Burma. There, he acquired five jade Buddha statues intended for China. When passing through Shanghai on his return journey, he left two statues there—a seated Buddha and a reclining Buddha—and established the original temple to house them. Unfortunately, the original temple was destroyed during political unrest in the early 1900s. The current temple was rebuilt in 1918. It earned its name "Jade Buddha Temple," after the precious statues it preserves.

Hall of Heavenly Kings

The Hall of Heavenly Kings (天王殿) is with two floors and three doors opened in the south. In front of the hall, it sits Maitreya Buddha with smiling faces who will appear on Earth in the future. Behind the statue of Maitreya, it is the statue of Skanda with vajra pestle in his hands who protects the temple. On both sides of the hall are the Four Heavenly Kings who represent favorable circumstances in the east, the west, the north, and the south.

Grand Hall

Daxiong Grand Hall (大雄宝殿) is the main part of Jade Buddha Temple. There are three holy Buddha sitting in the hall – Sakyamuni Buddha in the middle, Amitabha on the left, and Medicine Guru Buddha on the right. All of them are about four meters tall with a very peaceful expression. Behind the Three Golden Buddha, it is the statue of Avalokitesvara (Guanyin, 观音), a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddha.

Besides, there are Gods of the Twenty Heavens, covered in gold, lining the eastern and western sides of the Grand Hall. And, 18 unique golden arhats stand in two groups of nine outside of the hall.

Jade Buddha Chamber

In the Jade Buddha Chamber (玉佛楼), it worships the treasure of the temple – Jade Buddha. It is 1.95 meters tall with a well-rounded face, crescent-shaped eyebrows, half-opened eyes looking down, a straight nose, and a closed mouth with lips up. It puts its left hand on the left leg and right hand dropping down naturally. Jade Buddha is exquisitely carved with smooth and elegant lines.

You have known the sitting Jade Buddha is on the second floor of the Jade Buddha Chamber, but do you know where to see the reclining Jade Buddha? Located next to the Jade Buddha Chamber is the Reclining Buddha Hall where you can take a look at the beautifully carved reclining Jade Buddha of 0.96 meters tall. Travelers only can appreciate it through the glass and the reclining Buddha is peacefully smiling which presents the expression when Sakyamuni Buddha leaves the world.

Take a Look at Precious Cultural Relics & Artworks

When you see sitting Jade Buddha in the Jade Buddha Chamber, you can also take a look at the precious Buddhist sutra and relics. The Tripitaka (Qianlong Version) is being kept here. You should not miss the Bronze Buddha in North Wei Dynasty (北魏, 491 AD), Medicine Guru Buddha in East Wei (东魏, 543 AD), and jujube wood Avalokitesvara Statue in Ming Dynasty (明朝) and two-meter wooden carved Lingjia Mountain in Qing Dynasty.

Enjoy Meal in Vegetarian Restaurant

There is a vegetarian restaurant which is a separate part of the complex that travelers can enter without coming through the main entrance. This restaurant serves different types of vegetarian food, like double mushroom noodles, Arhat noodles, double mushroom and lion head noodles, lion head, vegetarian duck, vegetarian chicken, and vegetarian ham, etc. Prices vary with different dishes and the average price for a meal is around CNY 30.

Jade Buddha Temple is located on Anyuan Road (安远路) in Putuo District (普陀区) of Shanghai, conveniently situated near major attractions such as the Bund, Nanjing Road, and Oriental Pearl TV Tower.

• About 6 kilometers from the Bund
• About 4 kilometers from Nanjing Road
• About 9 kilometers from Oriental Pearl TV Tower
• About 5 kilometers from Shanghai Museum

Visitors can easily reach the temple using public transportation. The closest metro station is Jiangning Road Station (江宁路站) on Line 13, and several bus routes also service the area.

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