Kaiyuan Monastery, Quanzhou, China
After a morning bus ride from Xiamen, our tour group stopped by the Kaiyuan Monastery (also known as the Kaiyuan Temple and Ziyun Hall) in Quanzhou, China. It is known as a “Hindu-Buddhist temple,” but the most important hall is that of the main Buddha (Vairocana Buddha) and therefore can be considered primarily a Buddhist temple.
The monastery was built during the Tang Dynasty around 685. Granite carvings were done in a South Indian style, and are similar to 13th-century temples in the Chola Nadu region in Tamil Nadu of southern India.
Two pagodas are on site: the Reshou Pagoda and Zhenguo Pagoda. The Kaiyuan Temple was designated as a national temple in 1983. (Source: Wikipedia)
My last name (i.e., family name of Wong: 黄) could be found on various pillars, as shown in one of the photos below. But I am not sure what the connection is.
![My mom in front of the Reshou Pagoda at the Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzhou, China.](https://felixwong.com/gallery/thumbs/k/kaiyuan-monastery-2016-001.jpg)
![Dragon (lion?) wall carving at the Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzhou, China.](https://felixwong.com/gallery/thumbs/k/kaiyuan-monastery-2016-002.jpg)
![Stone seats and table at the Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzhou, China.](https://felixwong.com/gallery/thumbs/k/kaiyuan-monastery-2016-003.jpg)
![The Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzhou, China.](https://felixwong.com/gallery/images/k/kaiyuan-monastery-2016-004.jpg)
![Buddhist tribute at the Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzhou, China.](https://felixwong.com/gallery/thumbs/k/kaiyuan-monastery-2016-005.jpg)
![Red wall with exquisite carvings at the Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzhou, China.](https://felixwong.com/gallery/thumbs/k/kaiyuan-monastery-2016-006.jpg)
![The Chinese characters for Wong (my last name) and people at the Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzhou, China.](https://felixwong.com/gallery/thumbs/k/kaiyuan-monastery-2016-007.jpg)
![The Reshou Pagoda at the Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzhou, China.](https://felixwong.com/gallery/thumbs/k/kaiyuan-monastery-2016-008.jpg)
![Chinese characters at the Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzhou, China.](https://felixwong.com/gallery/thumbs/k/kaiyuan-monastery-2016-009.jpg)