Founded in 68 AD during the Eastern Han Dynasty, the White Horse Temple stands as the first Buddhist temple built in the Chinese mainland. Spanning over 1,900 years, it represents one of the earliest instances of cultural exchange in the region. Following its establishment, Buddhism proliferated to Korea, Japan, and various parts of Southeast Asia.
In the 20th century, the temple expanded its architectural repertoire by incorporating halls from India, Thailand, and Myanmar. This unique blend makes the White Horse Temple the only temple globally that merges Chinese, Indian, Thai, and Burmese Buddhist architectural styles. Visitors today can marvel at this harmonious integration, witnessing centuries of shared spiritual and artistic heritage.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
