The Big Wild Goose Pagoda was built originally in 652 during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) and it functioned to collect Buddhist materials that were taken from India by the hierarch Xuanzang. 
Xuanzang started from Chang An (the ancient Xian), along the Silk Road and through deserts, finally arriving in India - the cradle of Buddhism. Enduring 17 years traveling 100 countries, he obtained Buddha figures, 657 kinds of sutras and several Buddha relics.
After his return to China Xuanzang became with the permission of the Emperor Gazong the first abbot of Da Ci'en Temple (now called in English the Big Wild Goose Pagoda). After building the pagoda inside the temple and with the support of the Emperor, he asked 50 hierarchs into the temple to translate Sanskrit in the sutras into Chinese.
A total of 1.335 volumes were translated and these books are still in this temple.
Based on his journey to India, General Xuanzang wrote a book entitled 'Pilgrimage to the West' to which scholars until today attached great importance.
As for the reason why this temple is called Big
Big Wild Goose Pagoda
A star is born - special portraitWild Goose Pagoda, there is a legend.
According to ancient stories of Buddhists there were two groups of Buddhists of which eating meat was not a taboo.
One day one of the groups Buddhists could not find meat to buy. Upon seeing a group of big wild geese flying by, a monk said to himself: 'Today we have no meat. I hope the merciful Bodhisattva will give us some.'
At that very moment, the leading wild goose broke his wings and fell to the ground.
All the monks were startled and believed that Bodhisattva showed his spirit to order them to be more pious.
From that moment the pagoda was called Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Nearby the temple there is a huge square with lots of fountains. Every night at 21.30 there is a water light show and during the weekends also on 14.00 hours. It's really great to see.
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