Free Life Pond
| Free Life Pond | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 The Free Life Pond at Guangxiao Temple in Guangzhou. | |||||||
| Chinese | 放生池 | ||||||
| Literal meaning | Free Life Pond | ||||||
| |||||||
A Free Life Pond is a type of pond at Han Chinese Buddhist temples.[1] It is usually located in front of the Shanmen or the Hall of Four Heavenly Kings.[1] The Free Life Pond embodies Buddhist thoughts of compassion and understanding of all living beings.[1]
History
[edit]The Free Life Pond was firstly mentioned in the Great Treatise on the Perfection of Wisdom (大智度論), which read: "建德六年，齐地佛门遭劫。闻率僧众四十余循海路奔建康。辄遇大风波，楫折船沉。忽现巨龟，负众僧出水，须臾抵健康。闻口称南无阿弥陀佛。龟对曰：师父曾记否，吾乃海曲放生池之老龟也。闻恍然大悟。奏闻宣帝，帝大悦，敕建报恩寺，香火祀之。".[1]
The Free Life Pond was originate erected by Zhiyi, founder of Tiantai school, in the Sui dynasty (589–618).[1] In 759, Emperor Suzong of the Tang dynasty (618–907) ordered all Buddhist temples to set up Free Life Pond.[1] According to Duo Po Ming Jing (多宝名经; 多寶名經), at that time, 81 Buddhist temples set up free life ponds under the emperor's command.[1]
Function
[edit]The Free Life Pond can regulate the air, inhibit dust, but also has the role of fire prevention.[1] If the Buddhist temple is on fire, the water in the pond can be used to fight the fire.[1]
References
[edit]Bibliography
[edit]- Zhang Yuhuan (2014-06-01). 《图解中国佛教建筑、寺院系列》 [Illustration of Chinese Buddhist Architecture and Temples] (in Chinese). Beijing: Contemporary China Publishing House. ISBN 9787515401188.
Further reading
[edit]- Zi Yan (2012). Famous Temples in China (in English and Chinese). Hefei, Anhui: Huangshan Publishing House. ISBN 978-7-5461-3146-7.
- Wang Jia (2012). Famous Mountains in China (in English and Chinese). Hefei, Anhui: Huangshan Publishing House. ISBN 978-7-5461-2704-0.
- Wang Guixiang (2016-06-17). 《中国汉传佛教建筑史——佛寺的建造、分布与寺院格局、建筑类型及其变迁》 [The History of Chinese Buddhist Temples] (in Chinese). Beijing: Tsinghua University Press. ISBN 9787302427056.