Manchunman Temple of Dai Minority Garden in Jinghong City, XishuangBanna

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Manchunman Temple (曼春满佛寺), also known as Menghan Chunman Temple (勐罕春满大佛寺), is located on the west side of Manchunman Village in Menghan Town (勐罕镇), Jinghong City (景洪市), Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture (西双版纳傣族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省). The existing structures were built during the Qing Dynasty (清朝).

Overview

Manchunman Temple covers an area of approximately 38,678 square meters and consists of various buildings, including the main hall, precepts hall, pagoda, scripture library, drum tower, and monk quarters. The main hall, named Weihan (维罕), features a scripture room Hongtan (哄坦), monk quarters Hongnuan (哄暖), and a golden pagoda. There are corridors connecting the main hall, scripture room, and monk quarters. The structure of the main hall is divided into two parts: the central hall and the side wing. There are over 30 columns between the side walls, and beams connect these columns, creating four sloping side wings that form an extended eave. Numerous religious artifacts and ancient bamboo weapons are displayed on both sides. The hall is adorned with many long banners and scrolls depicting Buddhist stories. The beams, columns, and other wooden elements are decorated with patterns resembling gold leaf designs.

On March 5, 2013, the Manchunman Temple was announced as a key cultural heritage site by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.

• Chinese Name: 曼春满佛寺
• Location: 西双版纳傣族自治州景洪市勐罕镇（橄榄坝）曼春满村西侧
• Era: 清
• Area: 38,678 m²
• Protection Level: 第七批全国重点文物保护单位
• Registration Number: 7-1392-3-690
• Approval Unit: 中华人民共和国国务院

Historical Development

According to legend, Manchunman Temple was the first Buddhist temple built in Xishuangbanna after Buddhism was introduced to the region. It was established in the Buddhist year 1126 (583 AD) by Dikaban (底卡班), a disciple of Shakyamuni (释迦牟尼). This means it has a history of over 1,400 years.

Another account states that the temple was established in the sixth year of the Qing Emperor Qianlong (1741 AD). Before founding the temple, Dikaban entered Jinghong from Myanmar, spreading teachings in Menghan. At that time, there were no other temples in the Xishuangbanna region, so he founded Manchunman Temple through alms-giving.

The temple was destroyed in the 1960s, and the existing buildings were rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty.

Architectural Layout

Manchunman Temple encompasses an area of approximately 38,678 square meters and consists of several main structures. The main hall Weihan (维罕), scripture room Hongtan (哄坦), monk quarters Hongnuan (哄暖), and a golden pagoda are all present. The main hall, scripture room, and monk quarters are interconnected by corridors. The main hall is composed of two parts: the central hall and side wings. The walls feature over 30 columns, and beams connect the columns to create four sloping wings that serve as extended eaves. The hall is adorned with various religious artifacts and ancient bamboo weapons, and it features long banners and scrolls illustrating Buddhist tales. The beams, columns, and wooden frameworks are decorated with intricate gold patterns.

Major Buildings

Main Entrance

The temple features two unique gates. The main entrance is a three-tiered gatehouse topped with sculptures of auspicious birds. On either side of the gate stand sculptures of guardians holding wooden staffs. The gate’s facade is inscribed with the temple’s name in both Dai and Chinese characters.

The second gate resembles a pagoda, which is distinctive among various Buddhist sects. The gatehouse is adorned with a peacock spreading its feathers, and two stone sculptures of guardian beasts, known in Dai as Laga (拉嘎), guard the entrance.

Main Hall

The main hall is located directly in front of the main entrance and is spacious and magnificent. It serves as the central building of the complex, covering an area of 490 square meters, with a length of 23.5 meters and a width of 21 meters, forming a rectangular shape. The hall is supported by 44 red columns decorated with gold patterns, with long banners hanging around it. In the center stands a golden statue of Shakyamuni Buddha (释迦牟尼佛祖), which is over 4 meters tall, flanked by five smaller Buddhas. The hall also features a platform for monks to sit and chant scriptures.

Scripture Library

Located in the northeast corner of the main hall, the scripture library houses various Buddhist texts and other ancient Dai cultural works. These texts are not written on ordinary paper but rather on palm leaves, hence referred to as “palm leaf scriptures.”

Manchunman Golden Pagoda

The Manchunman Golden Pagoda is situated on the northwest side of the temple. It consists of a main tower and four smaller towers, all erected on a square base, dating from the same period as the temple’s construction. The main tower reaches a height of approximately 12 meters and features a base resembling a “Y” shape, topped with a bell-shaped structure. The finial comprises a circular lotus pedestal, a spire, an umbrella, and silver bells. Small altars are placed beneath the smaller towers, and stone sculptures of the guardian beast Laga (拉嘎) stand at the four corners of the base.

Drum Tower

The drum tower is located to the right of the main hall and features a unique design, with a small tower built atop its four roofs. A large drum is placed on top. In front of the drum tower, three white elephant sculptures are depicted lifting a golden Four-faced Buddha (四面佛).

Historical and Cultural Significance

Four-faced Buddha

The Four-faced Buddha is a unique representation in Theravada Buddhism, known as the “Wish-fulfilling Buddha.” It governs all affairs on Earth. The four faces of the Buddha represent love, career, health, and wealth. It is said that the Four-faced Buddha possesses extraordinary spiritual efficacy and is one of the most revered icons in Southeast Asia and Xishuangbanna. Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism differ in their practices regarding the placement of Buddha images: the former often displays them outdoors in temples for worship, while the latter keeps them inside halls for reverence.

Cultural Preservation

On November 13, 1998, the Manchunman Temple was designated as a provincial-level key cultural heritage site by the Yunnan Provincial Government. On March 5, 2013, it was recognized as a national key cultural heritage site by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.

Travel Information

Location

Manchunman Temple is located on the west side of Manchunman Village in Menghan Town, Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province.

Address

Manchunman Temple, Dai Garden Road 1, Menghan Town South, Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province.

How to Get There

Manchunman Temple is approximately 29 kilometers from the Jinghong Municipal Government. It takes about 40 minutes by car to reach the temple.

Travel Tips

• Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit the temple is during the dry season (November to April) when the weather is pleasant.
• Cultural Respect: Dress modestly and respect local customs when visiting religious sites.
• Local Cuisine: Explore local Dai cuisine in nearby areas for a more immersive experience.
• Photography: Capture the beauty of the temple and its surroundings, but be mindful of any photography restrictions inside the temple.