The First Gate of Mount Emei: Baoguo Temple and the Legend of the Ten Thousand Porcelain Buddhas

The Gateway to the Buddhist Holy Mountain

1.Located at the foot of Mount Emei in Emeishan: City, Leshan, Sichuan Province, Baoguo Temple (Baoguo Si) serves as the magnificent "First Gate" to this UNESCO World Heritage site. Situated at an altitude of approximately 550 meters, it is the starting point for pilgrims and travelers embarking on their journey up the mountain. Unlike the high-altitude, cloud-shrouded temples at the Golden Summit, Baoguo Temple is accessible and grounded, surrounded by ancient楠 (Nan) trees and lush bamboo forests. Established during the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (around 1606) and originally named "Huizong Hall" (meaning the gathering of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism), it was renamed Baoguo Temple (meaning "Serving the Country") by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty in 1703. The emperor personally inscribed the plaque "Baoguo Si" which still hangs high above the entrance, endowing the temple with a royal aura and establishing its status as the center of Buddhist activities in the region.

A Masterpiece of Ancient Architecture

The temple covers an area of about 60,000 square meters, with its main buildings arranged along a central axis, rising layer by layer with the terrain. Visitors pass through four successive halls: the Maitreya Hall (Mile Dian), the Great Buddha Hall (Daxiong Baodian), the Seven Buddhas Hall (Qifo Dian), and the Sutra Library (Cangjing Lou). The architecture blends the solemnity of imperial palaces with the unique style of western Sichuan garden temples. The courtyards are dotted with ancient trees, bonsai, and exquisite rockeries, creating a serene environment where the sound of the morning bell and evening drum (Chen Zhong Mu Gu) echoes through the valley. The Phoenix Ping (Phoenix Terrace) behind the temple offers a lush, green backdrop, making the red walls and golden tiles of the temple appear even more striking.

The Three Treasures of Baoguo Temple

Baoguo Temple is renowned for its cultural relics, particularly the "Three Treasures": the large porcelain Buddhas, the giant bronze bell, and the huabiao (ceremonial columns). The most unique among these is found in the Porcelain Buddha Hall (Cifo Dian), which houses over 10,000 miniature porcelain Buddha statues crafted during the Ming Dynasty. These statues, firing with "Ganlu" (Sweet Dew) spring water, display vibrant glazes of peacock blue and sacrificial red. Despite their small size, each figure has a distinct expression, showcasing incredible craftsmanship that is rare in China. Another highlight is the Seven Buddhas Hall, which enshrines seven colossal bronze Buddha statues from the Ming Dynasty, each standing nearly 5 meters tall. Their majestic presence and the fluid lines of their robes are testaments to the superb metal casting techniques of the era.

A Center of Culture and Tea

Beyond its religious significance, Baoguo Temple is a hub of cultural heritage. It houses a vast collection of calligraphy and paintings by celebrities, as well as biological specimens like the Emei swallowtail butterfly. The Sutra Library preserves tens of thousands of volumes of Buddhist classics. The temple is also deeply connected to the Tea Culture of Mount Emei. Visitors can enjoy a cup of Emei Bamboo Leaf Green tea or Emei Snow Bud tea in the teahouses within the temple grounds, experiencing the "Zen Tea" lifestyle. The vegetarian food served at the temple is also famous, featuring dishes made from local ingredients like "Magic Konjac" (Xue Moyu), offering a taste of the clean, ascetic life. Whether you are a pilgrim coming to pay homage or a traveler seeking the tranquility of a mountain forest, Baoguo Temple offers a profound introduction to the spiritual and cultural depth of Mount Emei.