Jade Buddha Temple

Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple was built in 1882 but reconstructed in 1918, and is  located on the north of Anyuan Road and Jiangling Road. Its architectural style follows that of the Song Dynasty and Mahayana Buddhism with a precise layout and harmonious structure. One of the chambers featured in the temple is the Heavenly-King Hall, which contains statues of Maitreya and the Four Heavenly Kings. The Great Hall houses many statues, such as the three Golden Buddhas, Gautama, Amitabha and Bhaisajyaguru.  The Jade-Buddha Hall lies at the northern section of the temple with additional Buddha sculptures.

The history of the Jade Buddha Temple is a fascinating one.  In 1882, Master Huigen, an abbot of Putuo Mountain, visited Wutai Mountain Emei Mountain while on a pilgrimage to Tibet and India for commemorating the Buddha. He excavated jade from the mountains and carved the jade into 5 jade, buddha statues and transported them back to Putuo Mountain. He left the sitting Buddha and lying Buddha in Shanghai and subsequently, he built the Jade-Buddha Temple here.