Temple top of the world
Source: Xinhua |
August 2, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
Home of Chinese kung fu and zen buddhism, China's Shaolin Temple is now part of humanity's cultural heritage.
The historic complex in central China's Henan Province was added to UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage List during the 34th session of the World Heritage Committee in Brasilia, Brazil, yesterday.
UNESCO, the United Nations cultural organization, said the temple stood out for its great aesthetic beauty and its profound cultural connotations.
Nestling in the Songshan Mountains of Dengfeng City, the complex consists of 13 ancient structures and sites, including Shaolin Temple, Songyang Academy, the Taishi, Shaoshi and Qimu towers and the pagoda of Songyue Temple.
With a history going back more than 2,000 years, these monuments feature various architectural styles from ancient Chinese culture.
They provide the world with a glimpse into ancient Chinese religion, philosophy, customs and scientific development, said Yang Huancheng, an expert in ancient architecture.
The abbot of Shaolin Temple, Shi Yongxin, said that while the UNESCO decision was a privilege, it also added pressure. "For the monks, living in a world-recognized heritage site is a wonderful experience, but at the same time, our responsibility to protect the temple becomes even graver," he said.
Built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534 AD) by a monk from India, Shaolin Temple boasts a treasure trove of magnificent frescos, tablet inscriptions and buildings featuring the architectural styles of the Ming and the Qing dynasties (1368-1911).
Dating back to the early Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), the observatory at the complex is one of the oldest structures for astronomical observation in the world.
Astronomers at the site were able to calculate the actual length of the year to 365.2425 days, some 300 years before Europeans developed the Gregorian calendar.
Leading school
Built during the Northern Wei Dynasty, Songyang Academy was once one of the leading schools for training scholars and for spreading Confucianism.
Henan began to prepare for the bid to project Shaolin Temple to the World Heritage Committee nine years ago. The provincial government and Dengfeng City have been restoring and upgrading the buildings at the site.
Meanwhile, the West Lake in eastern Hangzhou City is ready to bid for World Cultural Heritage status next year, said Tong Mingkang, deputy chief of China's State Administration of Cultural Heritage.
Up to now, China has listed 39 world heritage sites, including 28 cultural heritage sites, seven natural heritage sites and four cultural and natural heritage sites.
The historic complex in central China's Henan Province was added to UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage List during the 34th session of the World Heritage Committee in Brasilia, Brazil, yesterday.
UNESCO, the United Nations cultural organization, said the temple stood out for its great aesthetic beauty and its profound cultural connotations.
Nestling in the Songshan Mountains of Dengfeng City, the complex consists of 13 ancient structures and sites, including Shaolin Temple, Songyang Academy, the Taishi, Shaoshi and Qimu towers and the pagoda of Songyue Temple.
With a history going back more than 2,000 years, these monuments feature various architectural styles from ancient Chinese culture.
They provide the world with a glimpse into ancient Chinese religion, philosophy, customs and scientific development, said Yang Huancheng, an expert in ancient architecture.
The abbot of Shaolin Temple, Shi Yongxin, said that while the UNESCO decision was a privilege, it also added pressure. "For the monks, living in a world-recognized heritage site is a wonderful experience, but at the same time, our responsibility to protect the temple becomes even graver," he said.
Built during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534 AD) by a monk from India, Shaolin Temple boasts a treasure trove of magnificent frescos, tablet inscriptions and buildings featuring the architectural styles of the Ming and the Qing dynasties (1368-1911).
Dating back to the early Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), the observatory at the complex is one of the oldest structures for astronomical observation in the world.
Astronomers at the site were able to calculate the actual length of the year to 365.2425 days, some 300 years before Europeans developed the Gregorian calendar.
Leading school
Built during the Northern Wei Dynasty, Songyang Academy was once one of the leading schools for training scholars and for spreading Confucianism.
Henan began to prepare for the bid to project Shaolin Temple to the World Heritage Committee nine years ago. The provincial government and Dengfeng City have been restoring and upgrading the buildings at the site.
Meanwhile, the West Lake in eastern Hangzhou City is ready to bid for World Cultural Heritage status next year, said Tong Mingkang, deputy chief of China's State Administration of Cultural Heritage.
Up to now, China has listed 39 world heritage sites, including 28 cultural heritage sites, seven natural heritage sites and four cultural and natural heritage sites.
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