Scott No: -
Serial number: 2008-7
Values in set: 2
Date of issue: June 6, 2008
Denomination: 240 fen
Designer: Yin Huili
Size of stamps: 30 * 40
Perforation: 13.5 * 13
Sheet composition: 16
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

On June 6, 2008, the special stamp "White Horse Temple and Mahabodhi Temple" (catalog number 2008-7) was officially issued. The set consists of two stamps, each with a face value of 1.20 yuan, for a total face value of 2.40 yuan. The stamps were jointly designed by Yin Huili from China and Badi Mirchandani from India, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using the photogravure process. This is the first joint stamp issue between China and India featuring a Buddhist theme.

The civilizational exchange between China and India has a long history, with Buddhism serving as an important cultural link between the two countries. The White Horse Temple in Luoyang, Henan, is regarded as the "source of Buddhism and the ancestral temple" and was the first official Buddhist temple built in China after the introduction of Buddhism. The Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, India, is known as the "source of the Buddha" and is believed to be the site where Shakyamuni attained enlightenment. The stamps feature these two iconic temples representing the origins of Buddhism, tracing the thousand-year journey of Buddhism from India to China. Set against the friendly backdrop of the construction of the Indian Buddha Hall at the White Horse Temple, the stamps showcase the historical exchange and mutual learning between these two ancient civilizations, conveying the vision of continued friendly relations and cultural exchange between the two countries.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background:

White Horse Temple

Image: The main subject is the gate of the White Horse Temple, with a stone White Horse in the foreground, and the plaque bearing the inscription "White Horse Temple" in Zhao Puchu's calligraphy.
Significance: Built in 68 CE, the White Horse Temple represents the early exchange of Buddhism between China and India. Over the centuries, it attracted numerous eminent monks and laid the foundation for the development of Han Chinese Buddhism, serving as an enduring historical witness to Sino-Indian cultural exchange.

Mahabodhi Temple

Image: The main subject is the Mahabodhi Temple's Vajrasana Pagoda, with its surface covered in exquisite Buddhist statues.
Significance: Located in Bodh Gaya, India, the Mahabodhi Temple was originally built during the time of Emperor Ashoka. It is a sacred pilgrimage site for Buddhists worldwide, symbolizing the origin of Buddhist culture and bearing witness to the brilliance of ancient Indian Buddhist civilization.

Artistic and Design Features:

The set features a uniform vertical format, with both stamps incorporating bodhi leaf patterns in the background as a unifying visual theme, echoing the Buddhist theme. The design balances the architectural aesthetics of both countries: the White Horse Temple highlights the red walls and flying eaves of classical Chinese temple architecture, with a warm and elegant color palette; the Mahabodhi Temple reproduces the massive and solemn stone-carved style of ancient Indian pagodas. The stamps were created separately by artists from both countries, yet the styles are harmoniously integrated. The large sheet includes a wide bridge section with temple and auspicious cloud motifs, enhancing the overall visual appeal. The postal services of both China and India issued stamps of the same theme concurrently, with complementary designs.

This stamp set is a classic joint issue between China and India, focusing on Buddhist culture and Sino-Indian cultural exchange. Available in stamp set and large sheet formats, it is often collected together with other joint issues and ancient temple-themed stamps, making it an important modern issue for thematic collections on international joint issues, ancient architecture, and Buddhist culture.