Xingjiao temple seeks to preserve buildings

The Xingjiao temple is one of the city's best known sites. Recently the temple was advised to remove some of its surrounding buildings in order to stand a better chance of receiving UNESCO World Heritage site status.

With a history stretching back over 1300 years, Xingjiao temple is the burial place of many eminent individuals, including Xuanzang, a buddhist monk and Chinese pilgrim to India during the Tang dynasty.

Now, in its quest to become protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site, local authorities are planning to preserve the Xuanzang Stupa hall, but demolish most of its surrounding buildings, including the temple's abstinence hall and the monk's living quarters.

Master Kuanshu, Xingjiao Temple, said, "If these buildings in the temple are removed, the monks will have nowhere to live, eat or read Buddhist scriptures. Their daily rituals will be damaged. This is one of our top concerns."

Local authorities emphasize the demolished buildings will be replaced, in accordance with the law, with new structures, resembling the originals.

Zhang Ning, Director of Changan District Religions Dept. Xi'an, said, "According to relic protection law, no buildings are permitted within 30 meters of the protected relics. For example, this Sanzang house is very near to these pagodas, so it violates relic protection law."

Many monks in the temple believe it is good to apply for World Heritage status, but that their daily religious lives are also an important aspect of these relics.

As a result, on Thursday the temple proposed withdrawing itself from the application in protest against the planned demolition. Many experts have called for more discussion and consultation on protecting this famous Buddhist temple.

Having world heritage status can bring better conditions to preserve these pagodas in the long run. But during the application process and after, local authorities must find a balance between protecting relics and religious activities. The monks' Buddhist way of life should be guaranteed, after all it is those who have been looking after these relics all these years.