These three Buddhist temples are situated adjacent to each other on the east side of Da Nan Jie (大南街). All of them are open to the public from 8am--3:30pm and there is no charge for admission. The alleys surrounding the temples are filled with vendors and small shops selling Buddhist accoutrements and souvenirs such as incense, statues, books, etc., and you will find fortune tellers sitting outside the temples. Though the temples themselves have little to separate them from the thousands of other temples around China, they do offer a peaceful escape from the often chaotic city. (scroll down for photos)
Prajna Temple 般若寺 bō’rě sì
Prajna is a Buddhist concept meaning ‘wisdom’, and is one of the “six perfections” on the Buddhist path to enlightenment (
read more). This small temple was built over 300 years ago during the early Qing dynasty, and is very well preserved and maintained. It is the farthest south of the three temples.
Temple of Kindness 慈恩寺 cí ēn sì
Situated between the Prajna Temple and the Big Buddha Temple, the Temple of Kindness is the oldest, largest, and most impressive of the three temples, despite being the least well preserved. Built over 500 years ago during the Ming dynasty, it is one of Shenyang’s oldest structures. The temple/monastery features a large courtyard, several shrines, and long rows of rooms that would have once housed hundreds of monks.
Big Buddha Temple 大佛寺 dàfó sì
The name is slightly deceiving, as this is the smallest of the three temples and has no especially large Buddhas. Nevertheless, it’s beautiful and well-maintained. It was built over 300 years ago during the Qing dynasty.
Location: On the east side of Da Nan Jie (大南街) about 2 km north of the inner ring road (wenhua lu 文化路), 3 km south of
Middle Street, and a few blocks southeast of
Wuai Market.
Useful Bus Routes:
113 to/from South Tower, Shenyang University
213 to/from Beiling Park, Orthopedic Hospital, Middle Street, Imperial Palace, Wu Ai Market, South Tower
250 to/from North train station, Huigong Square
257 to/from Tiexi Carrefour, Heping Square, Taiyuan Street, Imperial Palace, Middle Street
260 to/from Shoe City, Wu Ai Market, North Market, Bei Hang
263 to/from Malu Wan, Taiyuan Jie, South Station, Xi Ta
291 to/from Beiling Park, North Train Station, Imperial Palace, Middle Street, Huigong Square
环 to/from San Hao Street, Exhibition Center, Heping Square, Imperial Palace, Middle Street, Taiyuan Street, Zhongshan Square, South Train Station
Ceremonial incense burning at the Temple of Kindness
Lilac Tree in bloom at the Temple of Kindness
Prajna Temple
Front Gate of Prajna Temple
Fortune Teller outside of Prajna Temple
Front Gate of Big Buddha Temple
All photos on this page were taken in May, 2007
