Hulan Sanguang Temple

Hulan Sanguang Temple

Sanguang Temple is situated about 200 meters east of the Songhua River, at No. 31 Songjiang Street, Hulan District. Originally built in the 32nd year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1906), it was reconstructed in 1988 and officially consecrated in September 1992. Now a well-known Buddhist site in Hulan District with a history of over a century, the rebuilt "Mahavira Hall" features a grand architectural scale and highly authentic ancient-style temple construction. The building covers an area of 138 square meters, with three bays and three gates in width and three bays in depth. Every year on the eighth, eighteenth, and twenty-eighth days of the fourth lunar month, many tourists from within and outside the province visit to worship and pray for blessings.

Address: 200 meters east of the Songhua River, No. 10-2 Xingfu Street, Hulan District

1 Introduction

Sanguang Temple is located in the southwest corner of Hulan City and is named after the character “Guang” (light) shared by its three founding monks—Wuguang, Xingguang, and Chunguang—making it the second-largest temple in the province. The Mahavira Hall of Sanguang Temple is majestic and eye-catching. It is a three-bay brick-and-tile structure with a raised roof, covering an area of 150 square meters. The front eaves feature four exposed pillars, with a pair of central doors and one window on each of the east and west sides. The windows and doors are finely carved with intricate patterns and vibrant colors. A golden plaque inscribed with “Mahavira Hall” hangs from the roof, replicated from the calligraphy of the late Zhao Puchu, former president of the Buddhist Association of China. The hall enshrines statues of Sakyamuni Buddha and other Buddhas.

2 Construction History

According to historical records of Hulan, Sanguang Temple was originally a family temple, built in 1912, and has had five generations of abbots. It originally consisted of three thatched cottages and five brick-and-tile meditation halls. In 1987, with funding from the Hulan County government and public donations, the third-generation abbot Zhibei, then over seventy years old, led the reconstruction of Sanguang Temple. In October 2000, the fifth-generation abbot Qinyu raised funds for further expansion. The temple now covers an area of 4,000 square meters, with a built-up area of 1,500 square meters, and currently has 21 members, 15 of whom are studying at Buddhist colleges. The temple attracts over 10,000 visitors during its annual temple fair.

3 Cultural Relics Protection

On November 23, 1994, it was designated as a county-level cultural relics protection unit by the Hulan County People's Government. Located on Heping Street, Hulan District, Harbin City, about 200 meters east of the Songhua River, the temple was originally built in 1906, rebuilt in 1988, and officially consecrated in September 1992. Its main structure, the Mahavira Hall, is a Qing-style imitation temple with a construction area of 138 square meters. It faces south, has a brick-and-wood structure, a single-eave roof, spans three bays in width, and three bays in depth. The Dacheng Hall, located behind the Mahavira Hall, is also a Qing-style imitation temple building with a grand scale. The area within 3 meters of the courtyard wall is a special protection zone, 5 to 10 meters is a key protection zone, and the rest is a general protection zone. Sanguang Temple is now the only Buddhist institution in Hulan District, with a history of nearly a century.

4 Tourism

Since its official consecration in September 1992, Sanguang Temple has attracted tens of thousands of visitors and worshippers every year. Especially during the temple fair on the 18th day of the fourth lunar month, the temple is bustling with visitors and the sound of temple bells never ceases, making it a representation of Hulan’s folk Buddhist culture and customs.

5 Reconstruction

United Front Work (Heilongjiang), Religious Affairs

In 1958, the county conducted unity and education work among upper-level religious figures and conducted a comprehensive survey of the religious situation across the county. In 1982, the County Religious Work Leading Group Office was established, with full-time staff. In 1988, two temples—Sanguang Temple and Fude Temple—were restored. In 1989, assistance was provided for the reconstruction of Sanguang Temple.