Lingguang Temple (Beijing)

Lingguang Temple (灵光寺), also known as the Temple of Divine Light, is a Buddhist temple located in the Shijingshan District of Beijing, China. It is renowned for housing one of only two known surviving teeth of the Buddha. The temple is situated on the eastern slope of the Cuiwei Mountain within the Badachu Park, a scenic area renowned for its eight Buddhist temples and monasteries.

The original temple was built during the Tianhui period (1123-1135) of the Liao Dynasty and was initially named Yong'an Temple (永安寺), meaning Temple of Eternal Peace. Over the centuries, the temple was damaged and rebuilt several times. The most significant destruction occurred during the Second Opium War in 1900 when the temple was largely destroyed by the Eight-Nation Alliance.

During the reconstruction efforts following the destruction in 1900, a surviving tooth relic of the Buddha was discovered within the ruins of a pagoda. This discovery transformed Lingguang Temple into a significant pilgrimage site for Buddhists. A new pagoda, known as the Buddha Tooth Relic Pagoda, was constructed to house the relic. The current pagoda was completed in 1964 and stands as a prominent landmark.

The temple complex now includes the Buddha Tooth Relic Pagoda, halls for worship, and other structures. The grounds also feature gardens and landscaped areas. Lingguang Temple continues to be an active Buddhist temple and a popular destination for both religious pilgrims and tourists. It is a significant historical and cultural site in Beijing.