Xiangshan Jingang Temple Introduction
Located in Dinglan, it is called Xiangshan Golden Buddha Temple because it is built on the Xiangshan that resembles an elephant. The main deity worshipped here is Avalokiteshvara. In China, the worship of Avalokiteshvara began in the 1st century BC with the introduction of Buddhism and spread to Korea and Japan in the mid-7th century. The Avalokiteshvara faith also reached Tibet in the 7th century, primarily in the form of Kuan Yin with four arms, and the Dalai Lama is regarded as its incarnation. Before the Song Dynasty, Avalokiteshvara was depicted as a male figure; in the "Flower Adornment Sutra," Avalokiteshvara is described as a mighty husband, while the "Sutra of the Lotus" refers to him as a good man. Later, in response to the prayers of a wide range of followers, Avalokiteshvara transformed into a female figure to impart compassion and salvation to sentient beings through maternal love and mercy. [Source: Jinsha Township Office]
