The Famen Monastery is located in the town of Famen, ten kilometers north of the Fufeng County seat. It was constructed at the end of Eastern Han Dynasty, arose in North Wei, began to prosper in Sui, reached the zenith of its splendor in Tang, was honored as “Royal Monastery”, and has become a Buddhist Holy Land for the entire nation since it houses the finger bones of Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism.

　　A stupa was built to house the Buddha’s relics, and the monastery was built because of this stupa. Its original name was King Asoka Monastery, was renamed the “Chengshi Buddhist Sites”, and was again renamed the Famen Monastery in early Tang Dynasty. The Monastery was expanded in the Yuanwei and early Tang period, reaching the scale of the Guilin Palace with its 24 courtyards during the Xianqing years of Gaozong‘s reign in the Tang Dynasty, which was extremely sublime. The original pagoda was the Tomb of the Saint. During the years of Zhenguan in Tang it was reconstructed into a wooden four storey tower, which collapsed in the 3rd year of the reign of Ming Longqing (A.D.1569). During the 7th to 37th year of Ming Wanli’s reign, a brick octagonal tower of 13 stories was built, 47 meters in height.

　　In the 11th year of the reign of Qing Shunzhi (A.D.1654), the tower tilted due to cracks caused by an earthquake. At the end of the 1939, general Zhu Ziqiao donated funds to repair the pagoda. On August 24,1981, the pagoda collapsed as a result of continuous heavy rains.

　　According to the historical record, in the second year of Yuanwei(A.D.555);the second year of Sui Renshou reign(A.D.602);the 5th year of Zhenguan reign in Tang(A.D.631), the pagoda had been opened three times for ceremonies at the site of the Buddhist relics. In the 5th year of Xianqing reign in Tang; the 4th year of the Chang-an reign of Wu Zetian; the first year of Shangyuan reign of Emperor Suzong; the 6th year of Zhenyuan reign of Emperor Dezong; the 14th year of Yanhe reign of Emperor Xianzong; and the 14th year of Xiantong reign of Emperor Yizong, the Buddhist relics were invited to the palace for worship with very solemn and extravagant ceremonies.

　　The scale of the Famen Monastery obtained its maximum during the Song Dynasty. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Famen Monastery somewhat declined, however local people, officials, and Buddhists continued efforts toward its renovation.

　　After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Famen Monastery has had more visitors and Buddhist ceremonies. The nation decided to rebuild the pagoda in 1987. While clearing the tower foundation, the Tang Dynasty underground palace which had been sealed from the 15th year of Xiantong reign of Emperor Tang Yizong, was accidentally discovered, on the Buddha’s birthday, April 8 of the Chinese Lunar Year.

　　It is auspicious to host the finger bones of Sakyamuni’s true body, and over 1000 pieces of treasure and Buddhist artifacts. These joys are fully shared and celebrated by the world. From now on, the Famen Monastery has begun a new page in Buddhist history.

　　The Famen Monastery opened to the public in 1988. Over the decades, under the guidance of the nation's religious policy, and under the leadership of the masters Chengguan and Jingyi, with diligent efforts by many Buddhists, the Jeweled Hall of the Great Heroes, the Long Corridor Corner Pavilion, the Bell and Drum Tower, the Mediation Abode, the Buddhist Academy, Monks’ Quarters, etc. in Tang style have all been rebuilt successively. The stupa underground palace was adorned in 1988, embodying the supremacy of the Dharma gate and the endlessness of the Dharma realm, and integrating history, religion and faith, social science and arts. The Monastery is also the home of a large mandala which surrounds the Buddha’s finger bone relics. The essence of the mandala appears to be from the Tang Esoteric Buddhist sect. In recent years, the Buddha’s finger bone relics have been invited to such nations and regions as Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Korea.

　　In January 2004, the Famen Monastery invited the Venerable Master Xuecheng to preside over the Monastery. After that, Master Xuecheng strengthened the revival of Buddhist beliefs, the practice of ethics, institutional organization, and the cultivation and education of talented individuals. Master Xuecheng launched an education program to train monks, resumed Summer Retreat and Percepts Chanting, and further perfected the managerial system of the Monastery. These innovations will invigorate the religious spirit of the Famen Monastery, making it purer and more solemn.