Hongguang Temple

Hongguang Temple

Hongguang Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Hongguang Temple

Hongguang Temple Hongguang Temple is located in Weixing Town, Wangkui County, Heilongjiang Province. Its initial construction was planned in 1994. Wangkui County is situated in northern China and is also considered a remote area. Originally, there was a temple on Miaoshan (Temple Mountain) in Weixing Town. During the Republican era, it was occupied by bandits as their hideout. Later, to suppress the bandits, the temple was demolished. Because there had been a temple on the mountain, locals referred to it as Miaoshan.

In 1994, Master Cifo, a monk from Mount Wutai, traveled around and established a Buddhist chanting hall within Wangkui County. Since then, Buddhism began to flourish in Wangkui. In 1995, the Weixing Town government planned to restore a temple on Miaoshan, as the mountain is located by the famous Songhua River tributary — the Hulan River. With lush trees on the mountain and flowing streams at its base, it is an excellent summer resort and tourist destination with great development potential. With long-term economic development in mind, the town government decided to build the temple. On one hand, they attracted investment from outside; on the other hand, they invited ordained monks to oversee the temple’s construction. At that time, conditions aligned perfectly: a benefactor, Mr. Hou from a Changchun financial group, was willing to fund the project. It also happened that Master Xian De from Changchun and lay practitioner Yan Shuwen from Daqing came to Wangkui and were invited by the town government to reside on the mountain. Thus, in 1996, the grand and majestic Hall of Heavenly Kings was built. In 1997, the mountain gate and the Mahavira Hall were constructed. Master Xian De went to Changchun’s Prajna Temple and raised 50,000 yuan to build the monastic quarters, providing housing for both monks and laypeople. The original temple flourished as conditions matured. Over the years, devotees and supporters contributed to erecting an outdoor statue of Guanyin, constructing the Bell and Drum Towers, the Thousand Buddha Guanyin Hall, the Ksitigarbha Hall, the Medicine Buddha Hall, the Scripture Depository, the Reclining Buddha Hall, the Western Trinity Hall, the Patriarchs Hall, the Meditation Building, and the Cloud Water Building. The local government provided strong support for the construction of Hongguang Temple. Major issues were resolved, including building a parking lot, afforestation, electrification, and replacing all pathways and steps from the mountain gate to the Mahavira Hall with marble slabs. The ground was also upgraded with cement blue bricks. These improvements allowed Hongguang Temple to take initial shape and resemble a proper large monastic complex. Various Buddhist activities could now be conducted normally.

Hongguang Temple currently functions as a nunnery. The temple covers an area of approximately 30,000 square meters, located east of the Suiwang Highway, north of the Suiwang Bridge, and on Miaoshan by the northern bank of the Hulan River. It boasts beautiful scenery and fresh, pleasant air.

The former abbot of Hongguang Temple on Miaoshan, Weixing Town, Wangkui County, Heilongjiang Province, Venerable Master Hui Kuan, passed away in 1998 at the age of 84, with 67 years of monastic practice and 58 years of precept observance. Nine years later, on August 15, 2007, during the opening of the stupa, it was discovered that the master’s body had not decayed. The relics were found to be exceptionally well-preserved. The venerable master’s body emitted a fragrant scent, and her facial expression remained serene. There is another mysterious story: once, a young girl appeared at the temple and showed deep reverence toward the venerable master. She later claimed to have seen the master appear in her dreams, telling her to come to the temple. She then arrived at the temple and, at the age of 60, took monastic vows under the guidance of the elderly Master Hui Kuan. As she had surpassed the usual age for receiving full precepts, she remained a novice nun on Miaoshan, devoting herself to diligent practice. In 2002, at the age of 80, she passed away in a seated meditation posture. Her children had a reliquary made for her, which was placed in the stupa at Hongguang Temple. A year later, when the stupa was opened, her body was found to be well-preserved, her robes and hair intact. Her children were deeply moved and donated a significant amount of money. The relics and offerings were placed inside the stupa, where visitors can still pay their respects today.

Phone: 0455-6701190

Address: Hongguang Temple is located in Weixing Town, Wangkui County, Heilongjiang Province