Xingsheng Temple

Xingsheng Temple

Xingsheng Temple is located at No. 46 Jiangzhou North Road, Hailing District, Taizhou, Jiangsu. Originally named Yongfu Temple (known as Yongfu Nunnery during the Republican era). Hailing has long been a place of outstanding people and spiritual energy. In 1457, Chu Shu, a gifted scholar from Taizhou during the Ming Dynasty, was born here. He later ranked first among the second-class successful candidates in the imperial examination and eventually served as the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel in Nanjing. Historical records indicate that Yongfu Temple was first built during the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty and has a history of over 400 years. Due to changes over time, it has served alternately as a Taoist or Buddhist site, or sometimes combined both, and has developed into a sacred place over the years. According to Fan Guanlan’s article “An Overview of Buddhist Temples and Nunneries in the Taizhou Urban Area”: “Yongfu Nunnery is located to the west of Taizhou city. In 1949, the abbot was Master Baoyi. It originally had eight main rooms and four wing rooms.”

Following the national policy on religious freedom, Xingsheng Temple was designated as a religious venue and reopened with the approval of document (Su) 121080002, restoring Yongfu Temple to its original form. The current abbot, Daoist Chang Hongfa, is a native of Hailing. Having traveled extensively for many years, he previously served as honorary president of the Baiyun Temple and Kongtong Mountain under the Gansu Taoist Association. In response to the call to build a harmonious society, he personally funded the restoration of this ancient Taoist temple. With the direct care of the Chinese Taoist Association, the Taizhou Municipal People’s Government, leaders from the municipal and district religious affairs bureaus, and the support of many Taoist devotees, he worked diligently to establish a Taoist temple in the historic and cultural city of Hailing.

Xingsheng Temple has been rebuilt on its original site, with the entire layout following traditional Taoist design. The completed structures include the Main Gate Hall, Main Hall, East and West Side Halls, Central Hall, East Hall, and Rear Hall. The main gate faces south, with the Green Dragon on the east and the White Tiger on the west, and is backed by a mountain. The Main Gate Hall is dedicated to the Divine Official Wang Lingguan, flanked by the Four Heavenly Kings—Green Dragon, White Tiger, Black Tortoise, and Vermilion Bird—who uphold justice. The Main Hall is dedicated to the Heavenly Lord Who Relieves Suffering, flanked by the Four Heavenly Masters, who protect people from disasters and bring blessings. The East Side Hall is dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy (Cihang Daozun), whose boundless compassion and magical powers save the suffering. The West Side Hall is dedicated to the Medicine King, who relieves suffering and cures illnesses. The passageway includes altars to Mazu, the Old Mother of Lishan, and the Goddess of Childbirth, safeguarding the safe travels of devotees and the health of women. The Central Hall houses the Jade Emperor, the Four Value Officers, the Heavenly Official, Water Official, Earth Official, and the God of Literature (Wenchang Dijun), along with rituals performed by Taoist priests such as initiation ceremonies, blessings, wish fulfillments, spirit summoning, funeral rites, daily worship, the Jade Emperor Repentance Scripture, and the Three Officials Repentance Scripture. The focus is on Taoist music and the Heart-Seal Scripture of the Jade Emperor. The East Hall includes the Sixty Jiazi cycle, the Four Directions Doumu, and the Sixty Generals of the Year Gods, who “speak good words in heaven and protect peace on earth.” The Rear Hall features the Dragon King in the water, uniting the great rivers to flow into the sea. Capable of summoning clouds and rain, he is revered as a deity. The God of Guan Yu guards the rear gate. Outside the hall are a large Taoist Bagua Bell, a Taoist Drum, and an incense burner.　

The statues of deities in all halls of Xingsheng Temple have been fully sculpted, gilded, and installed, with lifelike appearances and exquisite craftsmanship, truly a unique marvel in northern Jiangsu. The plaque of “Xingsheng Temple” at the Main Gate Hall was inscribed by Ren Farong, the current President of the Chinese Taoist Association.