Guangjiao Chan Temple on Wolf Hill

Guangjiao Chan Temple on Wolf Hill

Guangjiao Chan Temple on Wolf Hill is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Guangjiao Chan Temple on Wolf Hill

Era; Ming to Qing Dynasty

Address: Located on Wolf Hill in the southern suburbs of Nantong City, Jiangsu Province

In the history of Chinese Buddhism, Wolf Hill is the bodhimanda of Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva and one of the "Eight Lesser Famous Mountains" of Chinese Buddhism.

Guangjiao Temple was built in the second year of the Zongzhang era of the Tang Dynasty (669 AD), making it an ancient temple with over 1,300 years of history. According to the "Tongzhou Annals": "In the second year of Zongzhang, the Great Buddha Hall, pavilions, and abbot's quarters were constructed." The hill was once surrounded by water, so boats were used to reach it, and it was called Cihang Monastery before being renamed Guangjiao Temple. The founding patriarch enshrined on Wolf Hill is Sengjia, also known as the Great Sage of Wolf Hill. Legend has it that at the time, Wolf Hill was occupied by a white wolf spirit. The Great Sage Sengjia battled the spirit using his kasaya (monk’s robe), which he spread over the entire mountain to subdue the evil wolf. The white wolf had no choice but to yield the mountain. Since then, the site has flourished as a place of Buddhist worship. Sengjia was a renowned monk of the Tang Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Gaozong, he traveled to Chang’an and Luoyang, treating illnesses and gaining great fame. While traveling south through the Jianghuai region, he cured diseases and managed waterworks, earning praise from the people. Emperor Zhongzong of Tang honored him as the National Preceptor. Later generations refer to him as the "Great Sage Bodhisattva."

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units