Lilac has a special meaning in Buddhism. Bodhi incense is a Buddhist sacred tree in western China, and it is called "the Bodhi Tree in the West Sea". According to legend, Sakyamuni became a Buddha under a bodhi tree, but the climate in western China is not suitable for the growth of bodhi trees. Therefore, western Buddhists regard explosive Martin incense shaped like bodhi as a bodhi tree.
Lilacs are planted in the vestibule and backyard of Fayuan Temple. The lilacs here are called "Xiang Xue Hai". In late spring and early summer, lilacs are in full bloom and fragrant, which is very famous. Together with the peony in Xiaochong Temple and the begonia in Gongwangfu, it was once called the three major flowers in Gyeonggi.
According to another record, two Xifu begonia plants located in front of the Tibetan Scripture Building were planted by Emperor Qianlong himself. It is said that the white pine near Wei Tuo Temple was planted in the Tang Dynasty, also known as "Tang Song". Although it withered later, it grew new branches in the Song Dynasty, guarding the ancient temple and witnessing the impermanence of the world and the rise and fall of Buddhism.
Every spring in bloom, monks in the temple are vegetarian, inviting literati and celebrities to enjoy flowers, and gradually forming a "Lilac Poetry Society". Poetry club began in Ming Dynasty and flourished in Qing Dynasty. In the Qing Dynasty, Hong, Gong Zizhen, Lin Zexu and the famous Xuannan Poetry Society all left poems in Fayuan Temple.
Fayuan Temple has enjoyed a prosperous incense for thousands of years. Every Buddhist festival, Buddhist activities will be held on the first and fifteenth day of the first month, or a release ceremony will be held at the request of the donor. Most of the ceremonies will be held in the square in front of Daxiong Hall, where birds and turtles will be released, and Buddhist books with merits will be given free of charge to those who have become attached to them. Fayuan Temple is indeed a place admired by Buddhists and the source of Fahai.