What you see is what you desire – Fajing Temple

Fajing Temple, also known as Xia Tianzhu, is located at the foot of Lotus Peak in Tianzhu Mountain, West Lake District. It was founded by the Indian monk Huili in the fifth year of Xianhe during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (330 AD). Fajing Temple is the only nunnery in Hangzhou city area and also the earliest one established among the Three Tianzhus. The temple is hidden deep in the mountains and forests, with a tranquil scenery. The temple complex includes the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Yuantong Treasure Hall, the Medicine Buddha Hall, etc., and behind the temple, there are historical sites such as the Three-Life Stone, Golden Buddha Cave, Fragrant Forest Cave, Lotus Cave, and the Sutra Flipping Platform. Fajing Temple is not only a place for Buddhist practice but also the only nunnery in the West Lake area of Hangzhou. Emperor Qianlong renamed the temple after his visit, and it has been used ever since. Poets Li Bai and Su Shi have both left poems here. There is also the famous story of the 'Three-Life Stone', which tells of the friendship between the Tang Dynasty hermit Li Yuan and Zen Master Yuanze, and the pact between them. Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area - Three Tianzhus Fajing Temple