Miaoyin Temple

Miaoyin Temple

Miaoyin Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Miaoyin Temple, also known as "Datong Temple," and referred to in Tibetan as "Datong Duojiqiang," was renamed to its current name during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty. It was first built in 1741 (the sixth year of the Qianlong reign in the Qing Dynasty) and is one of the renowned ancient Tibetan Buddhist temples in Jilin Province. It was damaged twice, in 1954 and 1966, respectively. In the year 2000, it was approved for reconstruction by the People's Government of Jilin Province and completed in July 2002. "Miaoyin," meaning "exquisite cause of action," refers to the three great practices of bodhisattvas: great compassion, great mercy, and bodhicitta. Located on the east bank of the Datong River, approximately 50 kilometers west of Tianzhu County, near the Lutusi Government Office in Liucheng, the temple sits against Shiping Mountain, flanked by the Datong River. With its scenic blend of mountains and water, it offers an elegant environment and is a famous tourist attraction in Gansu.

The name "Miaoyin" is derived from the Buddhist concept of "the exquisite cause of action, which is the great practice of bodhisattvas." Buddhist scriptures state, "When the exquisite cause is fulfilled, the ultimate fruit is instantly attained," representing the highest level of attainment in bodhisattva practice. Miaoyin Temple was completed in 1755 (the 20th year of the Qianlong reign in the Qing Dynasty). It was built by the Gushi-Long living Buddha Yundan Zamasu of the Horqin Front Banner to celebrate the birthday of Emperor Qianlong. At that time, approval was sought from the Qing Dynasty’s Lifan Yuan, and a plaque inscribed with the name “Miaoyin Temple” in four languages—Manchu, Mongolian, Tibetan, and Chinese—was bestowed. After several renovations, by the end of the Qing Dynasty, following the relocation of Fuxing Temple due to disrepair, the site came to include a complex of structures such as Buddha halls, scripture halls, the living quarters of the living Buddha, North Warehouse, East Warehouse, and West Warehouse, totaling over 500 rooms. Both the Buddha hall and the scripture hall were grand 81-room (nine-by-nine) structures spanning three stories. One featured a flat roof, characteristic of Tibetan architecture, and was used by Miaoyin Temple; the other had a large traditional roof, combining Han and Tibetan styles, and was used by Fuxing Temple. The two halls were separated by individual courtyards, each enclosed by high walls, with a mountain gate hall in front. In front of the gate stood two clay-model horses, one red and one yellow. Inside the hall was enshrined the God of War Guan Yu, with Guan Ping on the left and Zhou Cang on the right, all standing majestically. The living quarters of the living Buddha were located behind the Buddha and scripture halls, consisting of a two-story flat-roofed small building that housed a small Buddha hall and the living quarters of the living Buddha, with scriptures stored on the second floor. The North Warehouse was managed by the general steward, responsible for the economic management of the living Buddha’s quarters and the entire temple, collecting land rents, alms, managing tenant farmers, carts, livestock, and the expenditures of both temples. The West and East Warehouses were overseen by the “Zhafu” great lamas of the two temples, who were in charge of religious activities, ceremonies, and daily management of Miaoyin Temple and Fuxing Temple, respectively.

According to the "Gorlos Front Banner Report" compiled during the Xuantong period of the Qing Dynasty, "Miaoyin Temple housed one Zhafu lama, twenty-four degree-holding lamas, twenty-seven novice lamas, and had 605 hectares of temple land, with an annual incense offering of 100 strings of cash from the Gongye Mansion. The nearby Fuxing Temple, having suffered the collapse of its buildings and lacking the means to rebuild, had all its lamas moved to Miaoyin Temple. It also had one Zhafu lama, fourteen degree-holding lamas, sixteen novice lamas, and 330 hectares of temple land, with an annual incense offering of 100 strings of cash from the Gongye Mansion." Thus, the two temples together had nearly 100 lamas and nearly 1,000 hectares of temple land.

History

The temple was initially built in 1441, the sixth year of the Zhengde reign of the Ming Dynasty. It served as the main temple within the jurisdiction of the Lu Tusi (local chieftain) descendants of the Yuan Dynasty’s Pingzhangzhengshi Tuohuan. Together with eight other temples—the East Grand Temple, West Grand Temple, Ancient City Temple, Gaduo Temple, Xuanhua Temple, Ta’er Temple, Zongjia Temple, and Xianjiao Temple—it formed a vast temple complex. After three expansions during the Qing Dynasty, it became a well-known Gelug school Tibetan Buddhist temple in the Tibetan regions of Qinghai and Gansu, as well as in Inner Mongolia. The main hall is the Duojiqiang Hall (meaning Vajradhara), followed by the Ge’ergun Hall (Duojiqiang Hall), Mani Hall, Que Dian La Zhang (Ta’er Hall), Desong Sangji Hall (Longevity Hall), Cuoqin Duikang (Great Scripture Hall), Chi Kang (Meditation Monks Hall), and Qiongla’ang (Phoenix King Hall), all of which are grand and magnificent in scale. There were also many lodging temples (residences) for visiting lamas. According to Tibetan historical records, during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, the 6th Dalai Lama, after being deposed by the Mongol and Khoshut leader Lha-bzang Khan who ruled Tibet, stayed at Xuanhua Temple behind Miaoyin Temple during his travels. He was warmly received by the local Lu Tusi and propagated Buddhism there, earning the title of Dabao Buddha. The temple originally housed two Zhacang (monastic colleges), one for studying Buddhist philosophy and the other for esoteric studies, training a number of eminent monks. It also invited famous scholars such as Songba, Tuguan, and Huarui Raobsa to give lectures, making Miaoyin Temple a shining jewel along the bond between Tibet and Inner Mongolia. Originally under the jurisdiction of Yongdeng County, in 1956 it was incorporated into Tianzhu County along with areas such as Saishisi.