The 7-storey Dayan Pagoda which also well known as Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is a well preserved ancient structure and a holy place for Buddhists. The man function of building the Pagoda was to store the translation of Buddhist Sutras, materials and figurines of Buddha brought back from India by Venerable Master Xuanzang. The original Pagoda was built in year 652 during Tang Dynasty with 5-storey but the rammed earth with stone exterior facade collapsed after 50 years later. Empress Wu-Zetian rebuilt with an addition of 5 storey in year 704, making it 10 storey high. It was heavily damaged and reduced to 7-storey in the occurrence of massive earthquake in year 1556. The structure went through extensive repair in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and was renovated again in year 1964. The external look of the Pagoda appears like a square cone, simple and grand, and because of this simple appealing style of construction plus the fame in Buddhism, it becomes an attraction of million visitors every year.
The well proportioned square pavilion-like structure with a height of 64 meter is a master piece of Buddhist architecture. It served to protect the Buddhist texts in the past.
The Pagoda was located within the compound of The Great Maternal Da-Ci-En-Si Temple originally constructed in year 589 and rebuilt in year 648 in memory of Tang Emperor Li-Gaozong's mother. The scale and Buddha Images of Da-Ci-En Temple were far exceeded all other temple sites. Although today, the temple complex only covers a total land area of slightly more than 32 sq. meter, one-seventh of its original site area, it still retains its grandeur.
Da Ci-En-Si (Temple of Great Maternal) is the home of the Pagoda. In year 648 during Tang dynasty, the temple was rebuilt upon an imperial order for the construction to commemorate the dead virtuous Queen, mother of Tang Emperor Li-Gaozong.
The Hall of Mahavira enshrined the image of Sakyamuni Buddha and 18 Arahats and housed a statue of Venerable Master Xuanzang.
Standing by the left and right side of the temple complex are two smaller old structures, The Drum and Bell Tower. Hanging inside the bell tower was a weighty iron bell (15 ton) that was molded in year 1544 during Ming Dynasty.
A floor plan and brief history of Pagoda and Temple Complex. Behind the main shrine, there is a Sermon Hall, for Buddhist disciples or devotees to listen to Dharma.
The main shrine of Temple Ci-En-Si and Xuanzang's Hall which has been considered the biggest memorial of Venerable Master Xuanzang. It houses a bronze statue of a seated Master, with other relics and the inner hall is chiseled with murals depicting his story.
A close-up view of Pagoda's eaves and external bricks.
The entrance and ceiling top of the Pagoda and some of the relics displayed at the Pagoda base corners.
One of the few precious relics offered inside the Pagoda. According to record, Venerable Master Xuanzang brought back 150 Buddhist relics plus one bone relic from India where he traveled and stayed for 17 years. Relics were placed at every floor of the Pagoda after returned to Changan (Xian) in year 645, but due to several repairing, renovation, re-construction of the Pagoda within the long period of history, the quantity of relics remains only few pieces and there is no way to trace where about were the rest of relics.
The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda was so called based on the legend saying that one group of monks choose to follow Theravada lineage to believe that eating meat was not a taboo. One day while a monk could not obtain sufficient meat for the meal, he said to himself upon seeing a group of big wild geese flying by, that today they did not have enough food, he hoped the merciful Bodhisattva will give them some. Immediately there was a big goose left the team and knocked itself to the ground right in front of the monk. The monks were startled at the incident and believed that Bodhisattva showed his spirit to order them to be more pious and compassion. In memory of the incident, the monks stopped taking meat and a Pagoda was established on the spot where the goose fell and named it as The Giant Wild Goose pagoda.
The chronology of Venerable Master Xuanzan's important lifetime and his connections between the temple and Pagoda. The map shows the traveled routes and places he passed by in his great pilgrimage trip to India.
The drawings of Venerable Master Xuanzang (600-664), who had a great influence in Chinese Buddhism history. The Master left home as a monk at the age of 13 but ordained six years later. He started his journey to India to seek Buddhist teachings at age 27 and stayed in India until year 644 (17 years). He returned to Changan (Xian) and established a translation center for Sanskrit Scriptures in mid 7th century. The rest of his years were spent in Temple Ci-En-Ci translating The Buddhist Texts into Chinese language. Many of the Chinese Sutras reciting in Mahayana Temples were translated by him.
The stone tablet with Buddha's foot prints. It was said that before Buddha's parinibbana in ancient India, he left his two feet prints behind. Master Xuanzang paid respect to the foot print while he was in India. He brought back the sketch of the foot prints, engraved on a stone tablet and made offering to it during later part of his life.
The Pagoda structure, constructed with bricks, is strong enough for visitors to climb up through the twisted stairs to overlook the panorama of Xian City from its arch shaped doors at 4 sides of each storey..
Though this is already our second visit to the Pagoda, we have no hesitation to show our highest respect and walk clockwise, around it for three times again with recitation of Buddha's name, before climbing up the 7 storey building.
Views of Pagoda from different angles.
View of Pagoda from north direction.
An overview of Xian City from the top of The Pagoda.
The large new square in front of Pagoda and Temple complex is opened to public free of charge for relaxation and to enjoy its musical fountain entertainment especially at night.
The fountain at the square boasts Asian largest, projects water high into air, rising and falling in time to music with beautiful patterns. There are two shows daily, one in the afternoon and one at night.
Musical Fountain show at the Front Square.
Musical Fountain show.
Elevation view of the Xian City.
Xian City at dusk.
The sun has set.
Before darkness.
Night was approaching.
Xian's night commenced with a blaze of color.
The colorful neon light activated the Square, The Temple and Pagoda at night.
Statue of Venerable Master Xuanzang stands in front of the Temple and Pagoda site.
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