Nestled in the city of Shaoguan in Guangdong province, Nanhua Temple is one of the oldest and most stunning Buddhist temples in China. Built more than 1,600 years ago, it is home to the spiritual remains of Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch of Chinese Zen Buddhism. Visit this beautiful and peaceful site and take a journey through its rich history and culture.
Brief History of Nanhua Temple
Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch of Chan Buddhism, previously resided and taught in Nanhua Temple, a Buddhist monastery of the Chan Buddhism, one of the Five Great Schools of Buddhism. It is situated in Qujiang District, 25 kilometers southeast of downtown Shaoguan, Guangdong province.
Architecture
The temple is spread out across 42.5 hectares. It is made up of great Buddhist structures such as the Hall of Four Heavenly Kings, Mahavira Hall, Sutra Depository, Sixth Ancestor Hall, and Lingzhao Pagoda.
Caoxi Gate
Hall of Heavenly Kings
The magnificent Hall of Heavenly Kings was constructed in 1474 during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) and then restored under the Qing dynasty (1644–1911). The hall has a statue of Maitreya Bodhisattva, as well as magnificent statues of the four Heavenly Kings holding holy artifacts on both sides of the figure of Maitreya. A three-story bell tower was built behind the hall in 1301 during the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368). A brass bell from the Southern Song Dynasty stands above the bell tower (1127–1279). The huge bell is 2.75 meters tall and has a 1.8-meter diameter.
Mahavira Hall
The Mahavira Hall, built during the Yuan era (1271-1368), is located in the temple’s center. It is covered in glazed tiles and holds the Buddha sculptures of Sakyamuni Buddha, Medicine Buddha, and Amitabha, which are located in the hall’s sacrarium. These golden figurines are at least 8.3 meters (27 feet) tall. There are over 500 exquisite clay statues of Buddhist arhats in the Grand Hall.
There are 360 Buddhist arhat figurines, which are the only Chinese wooden sculptures from the Northern Song Dynasty that have survived.
Sutra Depository
Sixth Ancestor Hall
The temple holds many precious cultural relics, one of the most precious being the statue of Hui Neng, which is worshiped in the Sixth Ancestor Hall and the body of Han Shan.
Lingzhao Pagoda
Culture
Nanhua Temple is a must-visit for anyone looking to get a glimpse into traditional Chinese culture and history. With its beautiful architecture, peaceful atmosphere, and rich cultural heritage, it is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
Nanhua Temple has also been instrumental in the preservation of ancient Chinese rituals and beliefs. It has been a Buddhist teaching center and a source of spiritual direction for generations of Chinese people.
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