Shuxiang Temple

Shuxiang Temple lies in the south-western part of Taihuai, on the south-west side of Tayuan Temple. It dates from the early Eastern Jin and was rebuilt under the Tang, again in 1325 under the Yuan and again in 1496 under the Ming. The compound covers 6,400 square metres and holds more than fifty halls and palaces, smaller than the great monasteries beside it. Its name comes from its dedication to Manjushri, Wenshu in Chinese, and its Manjushri Hall holds a colour figure of the bodhisattva riding a suanni, the lion-like offspring of a dragon. It is a provincial cultural protection unit and a national key Buddhist temple in the Han Chinese area.