Ashoka Temple, Ningbo – Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights

The Mahavira Hall, also known as Daxiong Baodian, is a majestic structure spanning seven bays wide with a double-eaved gable roof adorned with black tiles. Standing at approximately fourteen meters tall, the roof ridge is embellished with colorful sculptures depicting auspicious symbols like the dragon playing with a pearl, symbolizing good fortune and prosperity. Inscribed on the lower eaves of the hall, you’ll find the phrase “觉行俱圆,” meaning “Awakening and Fulfilling Together,” calligraphed by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. Inside the hall, above the entrance, hangs a horizontal plaque inscribed with the words “善狮子吼,” meaning “The Good Lion Roars,” also penned by Emperor Qianlong. Enshrined within the hall are statues of Shakyamuni Buddha in the center, flanked by the Medicine Buddha and his disciple Ananda on the east, while the west side houses Amitabha Buddha and the disciple Kashyapa. Adorning the sides of the hall are statues of the Eighteen Arhats, and behind them, you’ll find depictions of the Fifty-Three Visits of Sudhana, along with statues of Manjushri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. Two camphor trees stand tall in front of the hall, towering over its roofline, adding to the serene ambiance.

The Buddha Relics Hall, also known as Sheli Dian, boasts a width of five bays and features a double-eaved gable roof adorned with yellow glazed tiles. Its height reaches approximately thirteen meters. The exquisite screen doors at the front entrance are intricately carved, adding to the hall’s splendor. Inscribed on a square plaque above the eaves is the phrase “妙胜之殿,” meaning “The Hall of Wonderful Victory,” commissioned by Emperor Xiaozong of the Song Dynasty. Inside the hall, a vertical plaque hangs from the beam in the center, bearing the inscription “佛顶光明之塔,” meaning “The Pagoda of Buddha’s Light,” calligraphed by Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty. A horizontal plaque reading “光明庄严” hangs on the southern side. At the center of the hall stands a seven-meter-tall stone stupa, housing a niche adorned with seven treasures containing sacred relics. Below the stupa, you’ll find statues of the Four Heavenly Kings and King Ashoka. Behind the stone stupa lies a reclining statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, measuring approximately four meters in length. Flanking the sides of the hall’s front terrace are four precious steles, including the Tang Dynasty’s “Permanent Field Stele of Ashoka Temple 阿育王寺常住田碑,” authored by Wanzhai Rong, and the Song Dynasty’s “Inscription of Miao Xi Quan 妙喜泉铭,” composed by Zhang Jiucheng. The rear of the hall features the “Mother’s Milk Spring,” with the inscription “San Mantuo Hua 散曼陀华” carved above it, calligraphed by the Qing Dynasty calligrapher Gao Zhenxiao.

The Relic Pagoda is dedicated to housing the revered relic of Shakyamuni Buddha, known far and wide. It is a square-shaped bronze casket pagoda, standing at approximately 0.4 meters tall, with a precious gemstone, the size of a green bean, suspended by silver threads within a small window opening. However, the relic itself is rarely visible to regular visitors as viewing it requires prior permission. The stone pagoda that encases the relic pagoda dates back to the Ming Dynasty and stands at 4 meters tall with a width of 1.5 meters on each side. It follows the Indian style of a single-story square casket pagoda, adorned with jewels and corner ornaments, featuring images of Shakyamuni Buddha attaining enlightenment and the eight kings dividing relics, intricately carved and gilded throughout.

The exact date of the construction of the East Pagoda is unknown, but it was depicted in the painting “Yukio Kosai Sanso Zu” by the Japanese painting master Sesshu during the Ming Dynasty. The current pagoda was rebuilt in 1995. Since the tenure of the abbot Tongyi, efforts have been made to propagate Buddhism and restore the ancient traditions of the temple. Despite the gradual restoration of ancient halls and the expansion and renovation of the temple buildings, it was deemed insufficient in fulfilling the merits. Inspired by the “Three Pagodas of Ashoka” painting by the Japanese monk Sesshu during the Ming Chenghua period, a new pagoda was erected on the east side of the temple. With a fundraising effort of over 5.5 million yuan and the contribution of more than 20,000 workers, the construction spanned four years and was successfully completed in 1995. Positioned to the east of the temple, it is nearly symmetrical to the lower pagoda built on the west side of the temple, hence referred to as the East Pagoda. According to local beliefs, circling the pagoda clockwise can wash away misfortunes.

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