Bai Cheng Huayan Temple

Bai Cheng Huayan Temple

Bai Cheng Huayan Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Not only can you admire the architectural features and artistic styles of the Ming and Qing dynasties, but you can also experience the serene monastic life of “monks hurrying to the hall at the sound of the wooden board for meals, and chanting scriptures in the temple upon the tolling of the bell.” Bai Cheng Huayan Temple was first built in the early years of the Republic of China. The original temple was located on the site of the current Minsheng Middle School, covering an area of nearly 40,000 square meters. The main hall had three rooms, constructed with brick and wood, featuring exquisite structure. The hall enshrined three seated Buddha statues including Sakyamuni, as well as four standing Buddha statues. There were also three-room side halls on the east and west sides for monks’ residence. Additionally, over forty temple-owned houses were rented out. The monks also conducted Buddhist rituals and begged for alms. The temple enjoyed constant incense offerings, which peaked during temple fairs, making it the center of Buddhist activities in the Bai Cheng area at that time. During the Cultural Revolution, the temple was severely damaged, monks were dispersed, and all sutras, statues, and ritual instruments were lost. Some buildings were on the verge of collapse and were completely demolished in September 1985. After the implementation of religious policies, due to strong demands from local believers, there was a call to rebuild Huayan Temple. In 1994, with approval from the provincial government, reconstruction was permitted. However, the region, located in the northwest of Jilin Province and belonging to a grassland pastoral area, was economically underdeveloped and the local population lived in poverty, making it very difficult to raise funds for rebuilding through donations alone—the beautiful vision could not be realized. The current Huayan Temple is situated at the southern part of Bai Cheng City, at the entrance of the Changbai Highway, integrating with the Flood Control Victory Memorial Tower, Forest Park, and Martyrs' Cemetery. In front of the temple is a parking plaza, forming a well-planned layout with magnificent and grand halls, making it a large-scale classical palace-style architecture. The temple is known for its good practice, high reputation, and is an ideal place of worship for many believers. It has wide influence and reach—local devotees come to participate in Dharma assemblies, and believers from as far as Ulanhot in Inner Mongolia, Qiqihar and Jiagedaqi in Heilongjiang also travel to join Buddhist activities.