The Dabei Buddhist Monastery is one of the most beautiful and well preserved monasteries to visit in the culturally rich city of Tianjin. The entire site emanates an aura of ancient heritage and dignified serenity. The monastery was constructed during the early years of the Qing Dynasty and underwent considerable renovations under the rule of the Kangxi Emperor of the same Dynasty. There is much to explore at the monastery as it exhibits various Buddhist statues and artefacts.
The Dabei Buddhist Monastery is divided into 2 main sections: the eastern part which is home to the new monasteries and the western part which is home to the old monastery. Apart from the new monasteries at the east yard, tourists will be able to see a majestic Sakyamuni statue that stands at a height of 7 meters, weighing approximately 6 tonnes. The lotus throne of the statue consists of 9999 intricately carved Buddha images at its base. Other significant sculptures to explore here include the Thousand Hand Kwan-Yin mud image which is found in the Great Compassion Hall. Memorials dedicated to Masters Hongyi and Xuanzang are also located in the east yard of the monastery.
The western part of the Dabei Buddhist Monastery is home to important buildings and offices such as the Abbot Palace, the Tianjin branch of the Chinese Buddhism Association and the Cultural Relic Palace. The Cultural Relic Palace is a real treat to explore as it displays unique and interesting exhibits and collections of various dynasties beginning as far back as the Jin and Wei periods. Artefacts and Buddhist items to be seen here include countless historic Buddha statues made of different materials such as iron, wood and stone taken from the different dynasties.
The Dabei Buddhist Monastery was initially famous in Tianjin for housing the relic of Xuanzangs skull. However, this relic was presented to India in 1956, and today resides in the Patna Museum. Streams of locals and tourists continue to visit the monastery for both worship and sightseeing reasons. This monastery can be easily accessed when staying at a
Tianjin hotel that is centrally located. The Raffles Tianjin offers elegance and charm amidst the vibrancy of the city, and is a popular choice of
hotel in Tianjin among travellers seeking luxurious accommodation.
