The newly-built Buddhist Bones Monument of Chengtian Temple by the Empress Dowager Xia records that after the death of Yuan Hao, the founding emperor of Xixia, the Empress Dowager did not forgive the little emperor for "being young" and ensured that "the sacred life will never end". The Buddhist bones donated by the monks in the Western Regions in the Year of God Blessing in Xixia (65438+) were stored and buried under the tower foundation with golden coffins and silver coffins. Fu Sheng of Xixia inherited Taoism for three years (1055), and put the Tripitaka presented by the Song Dynasty in the temple. After the pagoda temple was completed, Uighur monks were invited to give lectures, and Empress Dowager Cixi and the emperor often listened extemporaneously. The incense in the temple is flourishing, and there are not enough monks and porridge, which is as famous as the Liangzhou Huguo Temple and the Ganzhou Sleeping Buddha Temple at that time. It is one of the famous Buddhist shrines in Xixia.
Chengtian Temple Pagoda was damaged by fire and earthquake in Yuan and Ming Dynasties, and only one pagoda remained in the early Ming Dynasty. Later, Zhu, the sixteenth son of Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, rebuilt the temple and built more temples. Chengtian Temple became one of the eight scenic spots in Ningxia in the Ming Dynasty in the name of "Fanzhong". On November 24th (1739 65438+1October 3rd), the pagoda temple was completely destroyed. Chengtian Temple Pagoda was rebuilt in the 25th year of Jiaqing (1820), retaining the basic shape of the original Xixia Pagoda.
Today, Chengtian Temple Tower has been well protected by the people's government and has been designated as a key cultural relic protection unit in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. There are museums and showrooms of ancient buildings in the temple, which collect many precious cultural relics such as Ningxia history, ethnic groups and military affairs, and become an important activity place for people to watch and appreciate.