The White Dagoba Temple (Baita Si) is also called Miaoying Si and is located in the West District of Beijing Municipality. There is a tall and spectacular white dagoba standing in the temple, hence the name. It is one of two famous white dagobas in Beijing, the other one stands in Beihai Park.

The temple has experienced a long period of uncertainty during Chinese history. In the year 1271, Mongolian leader Kublai Khan united the whole country and started the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). The governor of the spacious and mysterious Tibet also began to succumb to the central state at this time. To consolidate the relationship between the empire and the monkish power in Tibet and to gain the agreement of the Tibetan Buddhists among the Yuan officials, Kublai Khan granted imperial permission to build the White Dagoba. When it was completed in the year 1279, a further decree was given to grant the building of yet another temple around the dagoba within an area of 160,000 square meters (39.54 acres), which was defined by the landing spots of arrows shot in the four directions by the Emperor from the top of the dagaba. It was then obliged to adopt the name of 'Dashengshou Wan'an Si'. The Dagoba, along with the capital Dadu (present Beijing), was called 'Golden City and Jade Dagoba' by the people then because of their grandiose appearance. Unfortunately, the temple was burnt to the ground in the year 1368, and amazingly only the White Dagoba remained. In the year 1457 of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Emperor Tianshun commanded the rebuild of the temple which covered an area of 13,000 square meters (3.2 acres), much smaller than the original dimensions. It was then renamed 'Miaoying Si'. It has been renewed in more recent times, but not as extensively as before.

The temple is mainly composed of the White Dagoba and four halls, which stores many lifelike Buddhist statues, classical Buddhist scriptures, five Buddhas' crowns, flowery cassocks, colorful fabrics and other rare valuables. The most famous is the golden Dagoba Longevity Statue at the height of 5 cm. with over 40 rubies and bronzy Kwan-yin Bodhisattva Statue with a thousand hands and eyes. It is the earliest known place for translating Buddhist scriptures.

However, it mainly functioned as the imperial temple in the Yuan Dynasty. The governor then stipulated that all the important ceremonies should be rehearsed here three days ahead of the actual ritual. The sacrificial ceremony of Kublai Khan was also held here when he died, which proves the importance of this temple. In the later days of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), this temple became one of the most renowned spots for temple fairs, which formed the popular saying 'August eighth, white dagoba walks'. There was also a custom, on the lunar 25th Oct. (the anniversary date of the completion of the dagoba) in every year, many lamas walked around the circle of the dagoba, lauding the scriptures and playing music. Even nowadays many devout people pray for blessings around the dagoba.

The White Dagoba

The White Dagoba stands north of the centre of the temple. It was designed by the Nepalese architect Anigo, whose work also includes the Buddhist Temples in Mt. Wutai. The bottom of the dagoba is a three-layered seat, the body appears to resemble an upside-down ice cream cone which makes it an interesting construction. Near the top is a solid canopy made of beaten bronze above and thick wood at the bottom, which is well supported by a number of iron chains. The dagoba is topped by another small stupa. Small Buddhist characters and statues adorn the borders as well as wind-chimes, which transmit a clear and pleasant chime carried along in the breeze.

It is the earliest and largest Tibetan dagoba that remains as a witness of the once resplendence region of Dadu during the Yuan Dynasty and the friendship that existed between China and Nepal. It has now been listed as a key cultural spot that is now under the protection of the Chinese State Department. With its high cultural value and heavenly beauty, the White Dagoba Temple is bound to amaze you and leave you with a unique and lasting impression of your visit.