Harbin Baosheng Temple

Harbin Baosheng Temple

Harbin Baosheng Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Baosheng Temple is located in the southern part of Acheng District, adjacent to the Jin Shangjing History Museum, the Tomb of Wanyan Aguda, and the ruins of Shangjing. In Acheng, a Jin Dynasty stone inscription commemorating a monk, titled "Stele Inscription of Master Baoyan, Former Supervisor of Monks within the Jurisdiction of Shangjing Baosheng Temple," was discovered. This stele provides detailed records of the life of this Buddhist master who governed monastic affairs at Baosheng Temple, as well as related details about the temple. The long river of nearly a thousand years has long obliterated the historical architecture of the Jin Dynasty; all the current meditation rooms and main halls were rebuilt in recent years.

During the Jin Dynasty, Buddhism flourished within the territory of what is now Acheng County, divided among the Tiantai, Yunmen, and Caodong sects. Major temples included Baosheng Temple, Guanglin Temple, Xingyuan Temple, and Xingwang Temple. In the third year of the Tiande era (1151), over 200 followers gathered at Xingwang Temple for the preaching of the Avatamsaka Sutra. By the first year of the Zhenglong era (1156), the number of followers at Baosheng Temple had reached over 300. Records from the Yuan and Ming dynasties are unclear. From the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty to the Republican era, one Buddhist association was established inside Guangji Gate in the city (now Dongguan Street), with 147 Tiantai followers (52 men and 95 women). Every Sunday, followers gathered there to study scriptures. Outside Guangji Gate, there was one Cien Temple, led by one Yunmen abbot and three monks; one Huguo Temple, led by one Caodong abbot and three monks. Inside the city’s Gongfushi area, there was one Baolin Temple, with one abbot and two monks. In the second year of the Puppet Kangde era (1935), the county had 1,681 Buddhist followers. In the fifth year of Puppet Kangde (1938), Fahua Temple was built in the city, with one abbot and 20 nuns. Beyond the county town, there were several Buddhist temples in mountainous areas and towns, whose religious activities and influence were roughly similar to those in the city. After September 3rd, 19^5, these temples were repurposed, and most monks and nuns returned to secular life.

Cultural Relics and Scenic Sites of Acheng (Stele) ---- Middle Section of the Stele Inscription of Master Baoyan, Former Supervisor of Monks within the Jurisdiction of Shangjing Baosheng Temple (Heilongjiang Province). Unearthed in the first year of the Xuantong era (1909), more than half a li northwest outside the north city wall of the ruins of Shangjing Huining Prefecture (commonly known as Miaotai). According to historical documents: "This site originally had a stone pagoda, built in the 28th year of the Jin Dading era, serving as the tomb pagoda of Master Baoyan, the Former Supervisor of Monks within the Jurisdiction of Shangjing Baosheng Temple. The pagoda was 4 zhang tall, hexagonal in shape, with sixteen levels; the upper level featured delicate six-sided designs, while the lower level showcased lions and lotuses. Each level was approximately two to three chi in height. The middle level had inscriptions carved on six sides, with seven lines per side and twenty characters per line. The text was composed by the preaching monk Xuanmi Dasheng, disciple of the monk Jiban Zhihou Qinghe Hao Ben, and the elder Pan Ming of the Xitang Hall at Guanglin Temple. However, the pagoda had collapsed, the inscriptions on the stele were blurred and incomplete, and many stone blocks had been taken away by locals..." Currently, only the middle section of the stone stele remains, standing 92 cm tall, tapering from bottom to top, with a base width of 62 cm and a top width of 56 cm, hexagonal in shape, and featuring carved stone eaves at both the top and bottom. This stele inscription is now housed in the Heilongjiang Provincial Museum.

Address: Gongnong Hutong, Acheng District, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province

Transportation: Take bus 602 within Harbin City and get off at the Acheng No.1 High School stop.