The original Jade Buddha Temple was built in Shanghai in 1882, shortly after Hui Gen, the head of the Mount Puto monastery, returned from a pilgrimage in Tibet.  During his pilgrimage, Hui Gen received a donation of of five exquisite jade Buddha.  Returning to Shanghai, Hue Gen had the temple built to house the Buddha statues.

The Jade Buddha Temple is built in the more artistic and culturally rich style of the ancient Song Dynasty. The temple is made up of three main structures; the Grand Hall, the Hall of the Four Heavenly Kings, and the incredible Jade Buddha Chamber. 

The Grand Hall

The main courtyard and Grand Hall are the first sights you encounter at the Jade Buddha Temple.  In the courtyard you will notice thousands of red prayer ribbons tied to trees, urns, banners and even the temple walls.  These represent the offerings and prayers of the devout. 

The Grand Hall contains many wonderful statues, most notable are the three Golden Buddha.  (The central Buddha pictured at left.)

You will also find the "Gods of the Twenty Heavens" covered in gold and lining the eastern and western perimeters of the Grand Hall. 

Additionally, there are eighteen golden statues of devotees (Arhats) that stand silently in two evenly divided groups.

A large golden statue of Guanyin stands at the northern entrance of the Grand Hall, with a superb sculpture of Shen Cai (a well known acolyte of Guanyin) standing at her side.  There are also fifty three additional sculptures above them representing his life teachers.

The Hall of the Four Heavenly Kings

The Four Heavenly Kings are guardian gods who watch over the cardinal directions of the world (North, South, East, West).  Along with the Four Heavenly Kings, this structure contains statues of Maitreya and Wei Tuo Bodhisattva a teacher and guardian respectively.

The Jade Buddha Chamber

This exquisite sitting Jade Buddha is the centerpiece of the Temple.  The Buddha is carved from a single piece of white nephrite jade and sits 6.2 feet high (1.9 meters).

The Jade Buddha Chamber is located on the second floor in the northern section of the temple.  There is a nominal fee charged to view this section of the temple.

Guardian of the North