Fantastic Temple in Wuxi!! | 无锡灵山梵宫
(By Tsem Rinpoche)
Lingshan Brahma Palace in Wuxi, China
Lingshan Brahma Palace is the third-phase project of the Lingshan Buddhism Resort in Wuxi, China that cost hundreds of millions of dollars to build. As a multi-functional cultural building for tourism, conferences, exhibitions, and cultural experiences, Lingshan Brahma Palace has been built beside a mountain in the integration of the Chinese Buddhist rock-cave art and traditional Buddhist building elements.
灵山梵宫坐落于烟波浩淼的无锡太湖之滨，钟灵毓秀的灵山脚下，气势恢宏的建筑与宝相庄严的灵山大佛比邻而立，瑰丽璀璨的艺术和独特深厚的佛教文化交相辉映。灵山梵总建筑面积达7万余平方米，高三层的梵宫采用退台式建筑布局，以南北为轴线，东西呈对称分布，建筑面宽150米，进深180米，顶部为错落有致的五座华塔，后侧为曼陀罗形态的圣坛。
One can experience a rich cultural atmosphere in Brahma Palace. Dongyang wood carving, mural painting by Dunhuang masters, Liuli crystal, Yangzhou lacquer ware, paintings, Cloisonné lamps, Jingdezhen masterpieces, and so on. These art treasures are interpretations of various traditional culture.
步入梵宫，浓郁的文化气息扑面而来。东阳木雕、敦煌技师的手工壁画、琉璃巨制、扬州漆器、油画组图、景泰蓝须弥灯、景德镇青花粉彩缸、瓯塑浮雕壁画，这些艺术珍品在灵山梵宫各区域演绎着优秀的传统文化。
Following the stairs, we arrive at the main venue of the 2009 World Buddhist Forum. This is a multi-functional theater that can accomodate conference or performance. The large circular rotating stage theater measures 35,000 square meters, and can accommodate 1,500 spectators. The dome on top of the theatre is more than 30 meters in height, with 1500 lotus lights and when switched on, it was as if one is staring at the starry sky, engulfed in the vastness of the universe.
沿着楼梯，漫步走进2009年“世界佛教论坛”主会场，这是一个集会议、演出于一体多功能超大型剧场。这个超大型的旋转舞台剧场为圆形设计，建筑面积达35000平方米，可容纳1500名观众。剧场上方是高度达30多米的巨大穹顶，1500盏金光灿灿的莲花灯瞬间开启，刹那间千万盏明灯拱聚的穹顶，仿佛星光灿烂的天穹，仰望中，恍若置身浩翰的宇宙之中，绮丽而唯美。
The west side of the atrium, surrounded by various smaller conference rooms. 西侧中庭，周围是各个小会议厅。
The east wing of the Brahma Palace is the dining area, where vegetarian food can be served to thousands. 梵宫东侧为餐饮区，可以为千人提供斋饭。
The panoramic view of Brahma Palace and the Lingshan Buddha. 梵宫和灵山大佛全景。
Lingshan Buddha measures 88 meters tall, equivalent to the height of 30 storeys. 高达88米的灵山大佛，相当于30层楼的高度。
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Truly stunning about this beautiful temple …….The Brahma Buddhist Palace in Wuxi China . Located right on the foot of Lingshan Mountain, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China. Surrounded by mountains and lakes, the palace’s location was carefully picked according to feng shui principles. Wow…..this Brahma Palace has been named as one of the forty most beautiful sights in China. I do agreed with it after visited it a few years back. This gorgeous palace is so rich in architecture , wood carving, unique religious art paintings which shows a classic expo on the profound Buddhist culture and brilliant traditional art in China. This palace is built of stone with a symmetrical layout, which took 2 years to build and opened only in 2008. The whole of Mt. Lingshan Scenic Area is a Buddhist wonderland with many places of interest either than this palace.
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
Amazing and breathtaking temple.It has both traditional and modern elements in it.The team of people involve really put in their time ,thought and effort from planning till commissioning in order to achieve such an magnificent outcome.
It has both elements of east and western architecture though very colourful in many sections of the temple its pleasant to look at.This is definitely a palace for Buddhism. Thank you very much for sharing this article with us.
This temple is amazingly beatutiful beyond words that I can describe. It makes my head dizzy to think how many thousands and thousands of people both tourists and residents staying around the surrounding areas have been tremendously blessed and protected by one humongous statue of Buddha.All these pictures really makes me want to make a trip to Wuxi!
Thank you very much Rinpoche for sharing these beautiful pictures of Wuxi temple._/\_
This temple is amazingly beatutiful beyond words that I can describe. It makes my head dizzy to think how many thousands and thousands of people both tourists and residents staying around the surrounding areas have been tremendously blessed and protected by one humongous statue of Buddha.All these pictures really makes me want to make a trip to Wuxi!
Yes…its really amazing and very beautiful temple in Wuxi China. I visited the temple in 2013, The Brahma Palace and the Lingshan Buddha is a must place to visit in Wuxi. Its one of the tourist attraction in Wuxi,and i was there it was so crowded.The temples there was so rich in architecture ,wood carving, mural paintings ,beautiful lamps to name a few.I am so blessed to have seen it with my own eyes ..just amazing.
Thanks Rinpoche for sharing at least i can know a little more of these temples’
Dear Rinpoche,
Woah!!! Wow wow! What an amazing and breathtaking temple!
Just seeing the wonderful pictures of the artworks of the temple as well as the resort makes me so wanna go there!
When it comes to having the best temples I definitely have to say that China, Tibet, Nepal and some other small other countries are littrely the best at not just having big temples but big temples with totally awesome artworks and statues inside such holy places.
What I like the most about this Temple is of course that Humongous statue of the Buddha standing.
It makes my head dizzy to think how many thousands and thousands of people both tourists and residents staying around the surrounding areas have been tremendously blessed and protected by one humongous statue of Buddha.
All these pictures really makes me want to make a trip to Wuxi!
As always thank you Rinpoche for blogging about this amazing spot on Earth!
Love
Jutika
This is amazing! Not only a beautiful offering to the Buddhas, but it is also such a sight to behold – the building looks like an art piece of its own.
The one thing that catches my eye is how some of the statues are depicted as having angel wings. It’s such a beautiful interpretation.
I think it’s great to see different temples, as people have different interpretations of what is the best to offer to the Buddhas. It reminds me a lot of Catholic cathedrals, where people come in and are in awe of the architecture.
Perhaps even this temple will open up the seeds in other people’s mind, for those who come to view the temple rather than to pray.
Wow! This post has been here for awhile but I am still going to answer Rinpoche’s query and I think I particularly like the high ceilings and massive walkway. It gives and airy sense of grandeur to the place. I do find it strange that the central part of this ‘temple’ is a massive amphitheater because there’s really no central shrine to the Buddha or any of the Bodhisattva.
It would have been great if they did have one and a massive indoor Buddha would be nice. I am just scrolling back and forth and not finding it. There’s only one outside but that don’t count. It is interesting that they have a tree in the middle of the amphitheater, is that a replica of the Bodhi tree, i wonder. Anyway, I like that and it would have been great, if they had an exquisite Buddha sitting meditating underneath it. That’s all. For me, the grandeur of temple seemed to be a hype up for a main feature or a main temple. That is sorely missing.
This post brings back so many memories when we were in China last year for Kechara Tea House’s opening (http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/kechara-13-depts/official-opening-of-kechara-tea-house-shanghai.html)! Whilst pulling up towards the temple, the monumental Lingshan Buddha was breathtaking. The entire temple is built over a huge area, and you actually sit on buggies to take you around to the various sites around the entire temple.
The Brahma Palace is very grand, especially the mural that is built with precious stones and jade. It’s super pretty, and the floor tiles as well as pillars are all made from Marble. There were also carved statues made from sandalwood. Shows how giving the Chinese are, to make a temple this beautiful, offering millions of dollars for the benefit of others. Wonderful.
xx
Every time when I saw a great temple or huge monastery, will trigger me think more…it is very nice KWPC can come out very soon, hehehe…
I am rejoice to Lingshan Brahma Palace which located in Wuxi, China, how lucky people nearby there. It is so bless!!!
This is such a a beautiful temple. It has both traditional and modern elements in it. And they blend together very well. I love the outdoor huge Buddha the most because everyone will see this image and be blessed and create imprints in their mind. Also this Buddha can be viewed from outside also and able to bless the surroundings of Wuxi.
I went to this cultural temple last month with some Kecharians – Dato Ruby, Henry, Beng Kooi, Carmen, Lew and KB. The Brahma Palace was our focus, we mingled there mostly. The paintings were huge, intricate and meaningful. Each depicting the story of the Buddha. Before we entered the building, we were given a pair of “socks” for our shoes because of the marble floor. We made a joke about how they are using this method so that we can help polish the floor and we should think strongly that we are cleaning the temple and purifying our body karma. Hehe. We entered the panoramic theatre to watch a show. It was well recommended by Datuk May to not miss it. It was truly magnificient. The visual effects, stage and performance was awesome. What I love most was when water poured down from an opening on top of the stage in between the stage and the audience to create a rain effect. Very nice. Reminded me of China’s olympic opening. I was very happy to experience it first hand.
I am breathless already looking at the pictures without even have to walk thru this fantastic and huge Lingshan Brahma Palace, Wuxi. I notice the decor and the implements put into this Resort and certain versions extracted from the Eastern and Western countries like the Domes and Churches in Europe. A combination of Tibetan and Chinese decorative items like door knobs and 8 Auspicious signs. Part of the Arch structures resembles the Maharani Palace in Kashmir. And Lingshan Buddha reminds me of the statue of Liberty in New York. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing with us such beautiful photography of Lingshan Brahma Palace in Wuxi, China. My wish for Rinpoche is for him to be able to visit this beautiful place one day very soon.
Thank you, Rinpoche, for the lovely pictures of this magnificent, nay, awesome palace of a temple.
I love the lovely dakinis who seem to come alive! However, I love the serene setting of this temple best and its beautiful reflection in the water.
OMG!! I got no words for it except OPULENCE!!! Everything is so perfect and intricate and so Grand. I personally feel that is nicer then those stain glass images in Churches or Cathedrals and so detailed. Those people who involved in building it must have alot of merits. How I wish I have these kind of merits too and the resources to have this temple up. Thank you very much Rinpoche for sharing with us it is not just an eye opener. A reflection of what I have done so far and that is nothing great in this life.
Grand, colourful, good lighting, ornate, spacious with high ceilings.
Maintenance must be a nightmare! Changing light bulbs, cleaning, dusting, vacuuming….
I find the 88 meters high Buddha statue awesome and facade of the temple eye catching.
Very grand setting!
What I find remarquable is:
1. The proportions, harmonious AND grand, (not an easy task)
2. The attention to the details and how the “parts” connect with each other (the articulation)
3. The professional attention given to the lighting
4. The symmetry giving a sense of balance and stability
5. The high ceilings and large scales, beyond human scale
This is really about putting OPULENCE AND GRANDEUR back into Spirituality.
Reminds me of the old days when they used to build majestic Cathedrals and Churches. I guess, there is some measure of value and impact in walking into a place of worship and just be completely blown away by its sheer architecture and decor. After all, we are such visual creatures. And size, in this particular case, does seem to matter.
I have always loved high ceilings and walkaways/hallways for some reason. So, these are the things that appeal to me. Its the idea of walking through a hallway, in anticipation of arriving to a desired location and being in awe as we approach our destination.
The Dome Skylight is personal pet favourite. Always have loved domes and skylights.
This is definitely a Palace for Buddhism. I will definitely want to make a trip out there and experience it for myself. Thank you so much, Rinpoche for sharing with us all.
The whole temple is simply mind-blowing and definitely will attract many tourists, buddhists or non-buddhists. Seeds of enlightenment will be planted on these visitors…rejoice! I like the domes a lot as they remind me of mandalas. However, my favourite is the gigantic outdoor Buddha. It’s so awesome!
May we create the causes ane merits to have something similar in KWPC. Thank you very much for sharing with us, Rinpoche.
Deareast Rinpoche,
I absolutely love picture 005 which is the circular dome which look ups into what seems like a constellation… beautiful!
I also like the wall of Jade (picture 27)… amazing!
And lastly picture 2 with the temple reflected in the clear waters of the lake. Stuning!
Architecturally though, high ceilings and impeccable mood lighting (that highlights the intricacy of the carvings) is to me the utmost flattery for any building inside or outside. And they seem to have done this pretty well in this temple. Well done! Can’t wait for our very own KWPC!!!!
Much love… Andrew
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for sharing this. It really is an eye-opener for me. I’m impressed by the scale of the building, but since I’m a very boring person, things that touched my heart are only the stupa and the outdoor Buddha. However, I believe that this grand and beautiful temple will sure become one of the tourist hotspot, and this is very very good.
Thank you for sharing these photos with us Rinpoche. It certainly shows us the extent of what can be accomplished, especially when it’s something completely out of the ordinary!
I think what’s stuck out most for me was the natural surroundings of the temple – the beautiful mountains and lake set a beautiful backdrop to the temple and I imagine would provide a most conducive place for meditation and prayer.
I have to say that the architecture and design doesn’t appeal to me personally, but they must be applauded for daring to do something so very different from most traditional Buddhist temples, and pulling it off so well. It’s a beautiful offering that they have paid so much attention to the detail of the interiors and given it their best.
It’s certainly an effective way of drawing people in (even if it’s just as visitors or tourists) and therefore connect somehow, indirectly, to the blessings of the Buddhas and Dharma too.
Thank you 🙂
This temple looks magnificent! Simply breathtaking, i Love it how they incorporated the ancient inspired with a modern way… this is a must visit. I personally like the sculptures, paintings and the masterpieces.. how exquisite! the fine detailing on the ceiling and wall are beautiful… the theater is massive and nicely done. It is amazing to see there are some many people to work so hard to spread Buddha’s teachings and implement it in our modern era.
Dear Rinpoche,
The Wuxi Temple is truly amazing! I was there August 2010 and I was really taken aback by the grandeur and vastness of the entire complex. I felt like I was in a buddhist theme park. I had to pay RMB180 to get in!
With regards to Yee Ling’s commment, whether it feels commercialized or spiritual, I feel it doesn’t really matter for now because everyone who enters this park is blessed by the huge outdoor buddha statue and the many buddha statues in the complex. Frankly speaking, how many people out there are really into true spirituality. As rinpoche says, true spirituality requires mind transformation and not just read spiritual books, attend classes and pray.
We can definitely learn a lot from this project for the conceptualisation and design of Kechara World Peace Centre. Thank you Rinpoche for showing us this example. It proves to us once again that KWPC is highly possible.
Love,
JP
Dear rinpoche
It definitely has a “wow” factor because it is very obvious a lot of time, money, planning has gone into it. My first impression is that is is like a Las Vegas casino in China.Very ornate, over the top, definitely will draw the visitors, with chinese elements.
But what really appeal to me is the location, where the building is reflected in the very clear pool of water and the beautiful dakinis.
With some parts of the temple, it looks more like a hotel , even making it seem like a building with middle eastern and turkish overtones.
With KWPC I hope we can see buildings/ place that is beautiful, fill one with awe and yet tranquil, with great spiritual energy yet
able to draw the people because it is so different.
Not easy huh?! But I pray it will manifest with your guidance!
Thank you for sharing, rinpoche
The temple is very beautiful and I like one of the main multi colored murals with Buddha Shakyamuni surrounded arhats and bdohisattva.
I also like the very tall and high ceilings too makes it look very grand and imperial.
Kuan Yin with wings I think I saw very cool. I like the massive bells, wish we can have something like that at KWPC 🙂
It has both elements of east and western architecture, though very colorful in many sections of the temple its pleasant to look at.
Wow what a majestic looking temple. Full of grandeur .A combination of the West meets East style of architecture. I may not like this style of temple as I feel that it is too cold, it is too commercialized, there is no feeling of spirituality. However,I like the detailed sculptures on the ceilings. It reminds me of celestial beings making beautiful offerings to the Three Jewels.
Nevertheless, I am very impressed by the time and investment put in creating such a detailed beautiful Temple! Would love to visit this place.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing with us.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this.
Wow….it’s really awesome. It’s gave me a combination of traditional art in a modern way of finishing/presentation. Like a temple in a very very high class Hotel. The interior of the temple look so grand with the high ceiling & huge pillars …..just like a palace. I love the ceiling…..high and the design is so nice. The details of every single wall & corners were so fine and able to produce the Wa! effect.
The team of people involve really put in their time, thought & effort from planning till commissioning in order achieve such an magnificent outcome
The Lingshan Buddha standing tall…look stunning. Just like giving blessing to anyone that able to see him……even from very far away as long as you can see him. I like that.
Thank you for sharing, Rinpoche. What stands out for me is how they have designed this temple to be contemporary, contrasting with the old style of temples. I like the Baroque-influenced design, with the detailed lotus and dakini sculptures on the various architectural elements etc. However, the theatre is too busy for my personal taste. The overall effect is very grand and opulent.
The statue reminds me of the Lantau island statue, just that this is standing up.
I like the setting of the temple with the statue on the side and on the water… it looks very majestic!
Thank you again for sharing these beautiful pictures.
I cannot imagine a temple that is unlike any temple apart from the grand Buddha statue and Stupa outside. Some parts remind me of a hotel lobby, or/and a museum. Very tastefully done nonetheless. I like the domes best – very ethereal feel to it. I can just imagine the wide ranging visitors to this place, including spiritual tourists which I know some do not agree. But this is a modern world and spiritual tourism is an essential tool to bring people into the serious spiritual practice.
This is one great treasure of the world. Simply amazing. The Dharma version of Vatican City. Thanks for sharing.
I like the flying deities on the ceiling. Reflection on the water giving sense of serenity. simple outside look vs grand interior, wa~
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for sharing these images, they are so much better than the ones I have seen 🙂 My parents and brother visited this temple and they told me I had to visit it sometime in the future. They were very impressed with the architecture there. They told me that it was so amazing the way it was architecturally built that although the temperature outside was hot, inside the temple, it was cool. I think it had this wind tunnel thing going on. I liked the Buddha outside, the wall where Buddha is surrounded by the sangha, as well as the sculptures of the Dakinis( I am assuming them to be).
Best Wishes,
Green
WOW! After looking at the pics a few times, I realize the designers had incorporated ideas from many different continents.
The first pics with the 5 domes with pond reflections is so much like Angkor Wat; the interior and ceiling work in Brahma palace reminds me of St Peter’s and pic no.6, white structure with multiple minarets and stupas is reminiscent of Thai designs in the Royal Palace.
Thank you Rinpoche for opening our eyes to what our minds can create in celebration of goodness and the truth.
Chinese Temple has come a long way from the traditional, stereotyped Shao Lin version to this awe inspiring & ultra modern Brahma Palace.
Every nook and corner reflects careful thought, planning and execution has been put into this Temple. It also personifies the adventurous and ambitious quality of the modern day Chinese.
However, I do hope that in the midst of material advancement and pursuit, the Chinese would balance it with virtues and traditional values that had proven to work in the moral & spiritual foundation of the people.
Brahma Palace has fantastic hardware, let’s hope it also has a smooth running software towards the development and spread of spirituality.
Nonetheless, I truly rejoice in the efforts put in by all those behind this fantastic Buddhist Temple. It certainly gives a new meaning to the word “temple” !
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this with us. It opens up a new horizon for me. The Chinese (with their foresight)again plan for now AND the future as they always do. Places of worship during the imperial times later became places of tourists attractions which brought in alot of tourists dollars for them. It is not just the sheer size of this building but the details which shows that alot of thought and planning went into it to cater to what attracts tourists. Another note worth highlighting is that this is an expression of the Chinese trying to break away from conventional mentality that a temple should be how it traditionally looked. Bold step but considering the commercial side of it, this building serves many purposes. I am impressed and am looking forward to visiting it one day.
It is fantastically grand, imperialist, artistically built, a fusion of the east and west. I am awe-stricken…… Kechara can certainly learn from them. Thank you Rinpoche.
Dear Rinpoche
I am really in awe!!! I am really amazed with the amount of details that the statues and decoration. It takes a huge amount of devotion and faith to be able to build such a marvel. Everytime I see a beautiful Buddhist monument, I always thought of the people who initiate it, and I rejoice for them, for their effort, faith and devotion. What I like the most about this temple is the fact that it generates more faith to the visitors, and it shows us Kecharians that nothing is impossible. KWPC will manifest. Many people before us have done it, and there is no reason that we cannot do it.
Warm regards
Valentina
Wow, thanks for sharing the temple with me, who can see the magnificent care and grace you all are bestowing on China.
This temple is just dripping gorgeous,love even the water reflection and the huge buddha maybe
seen by plane good angle, just breath taking. You could live close where one could walk parts
of this beautiful temple for the rest of your life, and still not be able to take it all in. Feel lucky
just to see pictures.
This is a very large and beautiful temple. I am impressed by the richness in detail and the sheer size of it all. What caught my attention most are the statues of the celestial musicians. They look very life-like.
I like the whole design and architecture of the temple. It is amazing and fantastic. I’ve never come across such a beautiful temple. The Buddha statue is so huge. Amazing!!
Dear Rinpoche
It is clear that the intention of building this structure is to declare to the whole world that whatever has been built before this project the Chinese can do better. Somehow despite the grandeur of the buildings it felt a little too perfect and lacked a sense of spirituality and felt cold. It had more of a feel of a 5-star hotel pretending to be a temple. The hallway with the domed ceiling was beautiful but it reminded me of the Vatican. I suppose it is hard to balance beautiful perfection with creating an atmosphere for spiritual contemplation.
I did like the fact that they had glass in the ceiling to allow natural light to filter in to highlight the ceiling sculptures. It provided a link to nature which is lacking in the whole building. The atrium with bamboo in the middle was a nice touch.
My favourite section of the whole project was the Buddha statue and the view of the temple from a distance with the golden stupas.
Overall an impressive building but lacks something major, spirituality!
The multi functional theatre catches my eyes most, just imagine, Buddhist conferences, forums & performances are held at this GRAND VENUE, meaning dharma, buddhist teachings or important decisions will be made from here…
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this post with us.
Regards, Han
Rinpoche,
The temple is beautiful, and quite unlike any traditional temple! The elements of the temple which caught me eye were:
1) The sheer scale – I know everything in China is done to be really big and really grand, but not many temples are built in this day and age to be this size
2) The organisation’s complete lack of shame in making everything the biggest, the most beautiful, the best, the brightest, the shiniest, etc. It may not be to everyone’s tastes, but they did what they believed in, and they did it in a BIG way
3) How they have managed to create a temple that is not traditional but also not TOO modern, to the point it becomes gimmicky or like a theme park
4) How they incorporated traditional art (e.g. the carvings of the dakinis) into modern architecture
5) The beautiful ceilings and pillars – they really paid attention to all the details
6) It’s to a very international standard – you can visit it as a temple, or as a tourist attraction. For devotees, they will be inspired by the huge Lingshan Buddha. For tourists, the place doesn’t look SO religious that it turns them away from visiting
Thank you for sharing this post with us Rinpoche!
– Jean Ai
Reminds me of a grand Catholic cathedral in Italy or similar. The Wuxi temple is really quite impressive, and I can see they have put a lot of time and investment into building it. Outwardly it appears to be just like a tourist attraction, but there’s nothing wrong with that, especially if it is able to attract the masses to the temple.
Personally, I like the amphitheatre and the possibilities it provides 🙂
I am in total awe when i see this. Massive chills down the spine. Got to go visit in the near near future !
Its too amazing.
Didnt even know this exist !
Thank you Rinpoche.
Look how tiny the people standing at the foot of this huge Buddha look in the above picture. What a fantastic Buddha.
I am just so amazed at the whole thing. But I love this outdoor Buddha.
Which part of the temple do you like the best???? Let me know here. I want to see what captures your attention please.