Zhaojue Temple is located at No

333, Zhaoqing Road, Chenghua District, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, and is known as the 'First Zen Forest in Western Sichuan'. It was the former residence of Dong Chang, the Sima (minister) of Meizhou during the Han Dynasty, with the residence name 'Jianyuan'. During the Tang Dynasty's Zhenguan period (627~649 AD), it was converted into a Buddhist temple named Jianyuan Temple. During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, it was granted the name 'Zhaojue'. In the fourth year of the Qianfu era (877 AD), the Tang Dynasty's eminent monk and heir to the Caodong school of Zen Buddhism, Master Xiumeng, served as the abbot of Jianyuan Temple. He initiated construction and expansion of the temple, and by imperial decree, the temple's name was changed to 'Zhaojue', which has been used ever since. The overall layout of Zhaojue Temple is very complete, with a central axis consisting of the Great Mountain Gate, Octagonal Pavilion, Hall of Heavenly Kings, Mahavira Hall, and Sutra Storage Tower. On both sides are the Guanyin Pavilion, Imperial Book Tower, Stone Buddha Hall (Nirvana Hall), Master's Hall (Imperial Book Tower), Preceptor's Hall, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Putong Pagoda Yard, Master Yuanwu's Pagoda, Zen Hall, Guest Hall, Monks' Quarters, Dining Hall, Life Release Pond, and so on. Many Buddhist temples in Japan and Southeast Asia still regard Zhaojue Temple as their ancestral temple, making outstanding contributions to cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries. The Mahavira Hall features a double-eaved hipped-gable roof and houses three white marble Buddha statues. They are 'Vairocana Buddha', 'Rushana Buddha', and 'Sakyamuni Buddha', flanked by standing statues of Ananda and Kasyapa. On both sides of the hall are statues of the Eighteen Arhats, each with a distinct expression. Outside the Mahavira Hall is a famous site called 'Tree-Wrapped Stele'. This is an ancient tree with a thousand years of age, and inside it is a stone stele. It is said that the verses left by the founding master of Zhaojue Temple, 'Tree-Wrapped Stele, coconut scoop flies, the master returns as the pillar touches the ground', all came true. Therefore, this Tree-Wrapped Stele has become a place where the Buddhist law is fulfilled within the temple. The Yuantong Treasure Hall has a unique design that is a signature architectural feature of Zhaojue Temple. The ancient tree, still thriving, can be said to be a forest on its own, and is extremely beautiful!