Brahma Zen Temple | One of the Twenty Scenic Spots of Xiamen - The Great Brahma

🪷 Brahma Zen Temple holds a unique position in Xiamen, it's a pity that its location is a bit remote, and it's not as famous as the Nanputuo Temple on the island. 🚇 Currently, a subway is being constructed at the entrance of Brahma Temple, and a Brahma Square has been built between the temple gate and the subway. It should be much livelier once completed. ⛩️ I took the small path on the right side of Brahma Square to get here, and I was particularly fond of the small pavilions along the way, with their beautiful glazed decorations on the eaves. 🛕 The area right in front of the entrance to Brahma Temple consists of temples that have been newly built in recent years, similar in structure to Nanputuo Temple. Behind the temples, there is a pagoda, which is the landmark building of Brahma Temple. 🔔 I prefer to enter and turn right, moving away from the central axis to see the very old bell tower, whose roof still retains its glazed decorations. Inside, you can see the hanging bronze bell overhead. 🐢 Behind the bell tower, on the stairs, there is a dried-up life release pond, next to which is the Brahman Buddhist Pagoda. The Brahman Buddhist Pagoda was originally the bridge-guarding pagoda of Xianqiao in Tong'an. There were two pagodas on each side of Xianqiao, four in total, but now only two intact pagodas and one remaining pagoda are left. The other intact pagoda is preserved in the neighboring Meishan Temple, and the remaining pagoda is right next to this one. The base and spire of the pagoda have been damaged, leaving only the second layer of the pagoda intact. 📝 It is said that the four Brahman Buddhist Pagodas were identical in shape, each 4.5 meters tall and made of solid stone. The base of the pagoda has four legs, and at each corner of the base, there is a dwarf crouching. On each side of the second layer, which is a cross-shaped base, there is a relief of a Buddha sitting on a lotus. Each corner of the pagoda body is carved with a winged mythical creature, and the reliefs on all four sides are based on Buddhist stories, vivid and lifelike. The upper part of the stone pagoda has five layers of wheels, and the tip of the pagoda is shaped like a gourd. 🪨 Many areas next to the Brahman Buddhist Pagoda are undeveloped open spaces, which are likely to be the site of the former temple foundations of Brahma Temple. On the small path behind the temple, there are some stones with inscriptions, but unfortunately, they are too old to be deciphered. 🥣 I couldn't find a place for vegetarian meals, so I came back hungry...