Lost temple discovered after 1,000 years in Chengdu

Archaeologist Zhang Xufen shows unearthed tablets inscribed with Buddhist scriptures at the excavation site of the Fugan Temple, which disppeared for nearly a millennium, in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province, June 2, 2017. Archaeologists have spent months excavating the lost Fugang Temple in downtown Chengdu. The Fugan Temple was a famous temple that lasted from the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420) to the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). Archaeologists unearthed more than 1,000 tablets inscribed with Buddhist scriptures and over 500 pieces of stone sculpture as well as glazed tiles with inscriptions. [Photo/Xinhua]

Archaeologists have spent months excavating a lost temple that disappeared for nearly a millennium in downtown Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province.

The Fugan Temple was a famous temple that lasted from the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420) to the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279).

Daoxuan, a famous Tang Dynasty (618-907) monk, once wrote that an official rite to pray for rain to end a persistent drought was held in front of the temple, and it rained as if the prayers had been heard in heaven.

The story was the record of how the temple got its name, Fugan, which means "perceive the blessing."

Famous Tang Dynasty poet Liu Yuxi left a poem to commemorate the temple's renovation, describing its heavenly appearance. The poem further noted the temple's important role at that time.

However, the building was worn down during the later period of the Tang and Song dynasties, with all traces of the temple disappearing during wars.