Chowbaga: Few in the locality where it has stood for five decades, deep in Chowbaga area off the Bypass, near the Regional Passport Office, would know it by its formal name - Hsuan Tsang Monastery. But ask for Cheena Mandir and everyone would confidently offer directions.
Yet it is the nomenclature linking it to the celebrated traveller and scholar that brought a 70-member delegation all the way from China as well as representatives from Bodhgaya, the seat of Buddhism, in Bihar, to attend the golden jubilee celebration of the monastery. And even lend a hand of help in its plans for renovation.
The foundation stone for the renovation of the building was unveiled on Wednesday by consul general of China Ma Zhanwu and Venerable Shi Guangquan, the deputy secretary general of the Buddhist Association of China in presence of other monks and nuns.
"The plan is to demolish the main building which is 50 years old and build it anew. Chunks are falling off and water leaks through the ceiling. The rest of the structure will be renovated," said Chung Khi Lim, a prominent member of the temple committee. "The Chinese consulate has promised us help."
The monastery was built by Wu Chien, a monk who came to Calcutta in the 1940s from Shaanxi, in central China. "This place was a wilderness when he built a cottage here. He faced a lot of trouble. Goons stole construction material and once even assaulted him. The bleeding monk approached the local Indian Chinese community and my mother and many others came forward to help him," recalled Chung Feng Chun, a volunteer with the monastery who runs a beauty parlour on Park Street.
"Today marks the start of the process of renovation of the monastery which is a symbol of Indo-China friendship and shared heritage," said the consul general who is playing a proactive role in the project.
Architects from China have already visited the monastery about six months ago. "They have prepared a plan for the new structure. We will seek feedback on the plan from the local community and inform them for the final plan to be drawn up," said Guanquan, also the abbot of the Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou.
Interestingly, the Lingyin Temple was founded by a monk from Western India circa 326 AD.
"We heard of the monastery a couple of years ago from the consul general. Hsuan Tsang is a major figure in our shared history and a monastery named after him should become a place for Buddhist exchanges between India and China," the abbot added.
A prayer ceremony was conducted by Guanquan along with head of the monastery Nun Huirong, Master Qingyuan of China's Buddhism Association, Master Minghui, abbot of Qianfota Monastery in Maizhou, Gungzhou.
Maizhou is where most of the ancestors of the Calcutta's Chinese community hailed from. "The delegates were surprised to hear us speak authentic Haka," smiled James Liao, who headed the troupe that performed the lion dance at the ceremony.
Also present were Chalinda Bhante and Deenand, the chief monk and the caretaker of the Mahabodhi Mahavihara in Bodhgaya.
An elaborate Chinese tea ceremony was performed by monks of the Lingyin Temple. A martial arts performance concluded the day's programme. Actress Rituparna Sengupta and minister Javed Khan also dropped by.
