Huacheng Temple
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2013) |
| Huacheng Temple | |
|---|---|
化城寺 | |
Qingyang County, Anhui | |
| Country | China |
| Geographic coordinates | 30°29′04″N 117°48′32″E / 30.484535°N 117.808751°E |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Chinese architecture |
| Founder | Huaidu |
| Date established | 401 |
| Completed | Qing dynasty (reconstruction) |
Huacheng Temple (
History
Jin dynasty
Huacheng Temple is the first temple and also the leading temple on Mount Jiuhua. It is said that in 401 CE during the Jin dynasty (266–420), an Indian monk Huaidu (怀渡) built a small Buddhist temple here.
Tang dynasty
During the Kaiyuan era of the
Song dynasty
In the late Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279), the abbot was Guangzong (广宗), later called Guangchuan monk.
Yuan dynasty
In 1321 during the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), the abbot was Zhenguan (真观), later called Wuxiang monk.
Ming dynasty
In 1391 during the
Qing dynasty
In 1681 during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), the governor of Chizhou, Yu Chenglong (喻成龙), renovated the temple and built "Juhua Pavilion". The temple comprised Eastern and Western Palaces and totaled 72 halls. Thus, Huacheng Temple became the leading temple in Mount Jiuhua, called General Buddhist Temple. From 1703 to 1705, the Kangxi Emperor ordered his close servant to come to Mount Jiuhua to worship the temple three times, making donations and bestowing a board "Superior Place of Jiuhua" (九华圣境). In 1766, it received another board written by the emperor, "Fragrant Grand Temple" (芬陀普教). However, in 1857, the temple was destroyed, and only Sutra Library was left. In 1890, the abbot Lunfa (论法) and pilgrim Liu Hanfang (刘含芳) and others donated to rebuild four halls.
Republic of China
In 1926, Shi Rongxu (释容虚) founded "Jiangnan Mount Jiuhua Buddhist Academy" here.
People's Republic of China
The government of Qinyang County renovated the temple in 1955. But in 1968, all the Buddhist images were destroyed. In 1981, the temple was rebuilt, and Mount Jiuhua Historical and Cultural Museum was opened. The preserved collection of more than 1,800 pieces was on exhibition. The temple has a land area of 3,500 square meters. On 8 September 1981, the government of Anhui claimed Huacheng Temple as a key conserved location of historical relics. In 1983, the state council honored Huacheng Temple as national key Buddhist temple in Han area.
Art
Mount Jiuhua has always attracted creative minds; poets and artists have visited here. As a result, there has been a rich legacy of art in the Huacheng Temple. Great artists, poets, and playwrights such as
Architecture
Huacheng Temple located at the foot of Mount Furong. It is the main and first temple of Jiuhua Mountains as well as bodhimanda of
Mahavira Hall
The 20.5-metre (67 ft) deep Mahavira Hall enshrining the statue of Kṣitigarbha. He stands on the base platform made of white marble. He drops his hands naturally with palms outward, meaning to realize wishes of all living creatures.[4]
Right above of hall, there are three big and small caissons (藻井) which were made in 1889 during the reign of Guangxu Emperor (1875–1908) in the Qing dynasty (1644–1911). The eight corners of the big caisson are carved with eight Chinese dragons, which plus another Chinese dragon on the top of the caisson and the flame pearl from the pattern of "Nine Dragons Playing with a Ball" (九龙戏珠). The small caissons are on both sides of the big caisson.[4]
Buddhist Texts Library
The
National Treasure
A 1,000-kilogram (2,200 lb) weight and 2-metre (6 ft 7 in) high bell is housed in the temple. It was cast between 1875 and 1908 during the Guangxu period (1875–1908) of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911). At the beginning of the Chinese New Year, the bell is rung 108 times to represent 12 months, 24 solar terms and 72 hou (候, Hou is an ancient Chinese seasonal divider, every 3 hou comes a Chinese seasonal divider), which signifies peace, good fortune and prevention of evils and bad luck for the year.[5]
References
- ^ "Jiuhua Buddhist Mountain". Retrieved 29 January 2013.
- ^ Zi Yan (2012), p. 91–92.
- ^ Wang Jia (2012), p. 114–115.
- ^ a b c Zi Yan (2012), p. 92.
- ^ Wang Jia (2012), p. 115–116.
Bibliography
- Zi Yan (2012). "Huacheng Temple in Jiuhua Mountain, Anhui Province". Famous Temples in China (in English and Chinese). Hefei, Anhui: Huangshan Publishing House. ISBN 978-7-5461-3146-7.
- Wang Jia (2012). "Mount Jiuhua: Huacheng Monastery". Famous Mountains in China (in English and Chinese). Hefei, Anhui: Huangshan Publishing House. ISBN 978-7-5461-2704-0.