Huai'an Ciyun Temple

Huai'an Ciyun Temple

Huai'an Ciyun Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Ciyun Temple is located south of the Qingjiang Sluice. Originally named "Ciyun Nunnery," it is a renowned temple in the Jianghuai region, first built in the 20th year of the Wanli era during the Ming Dynasty (1592). In the autumn of the 14th year of the Kangxi era (1675), Master Yulin, who was conferred the title of "Great Awakening Universal Salvation Benevolent National Preceptor" by Emperor Shunzhi, traveled south to "Ciyun Nunnery" in Qingjiangpu, where he passed away in the lotus position on the 10th day of the eighth month. Emperor Kangxi issued an edict for a grand burial, rebuilt "Ciyun Nunnery," and constructed the "Dharma King Pagoda." In the 13th year of the Yongzheng era (1735), Emperor Yongzheng decreed the construction of a new temple on the original site of "Ciyun Nunnery," renaming it "Ciyun Temple" and personally inscribing its plaque.

At that time, "Ciyun Temple" covered an area of twenty-five acres. In front of the gate was a screen wall, flanked by two archways: the "Spring Mist Ciyun Archway" and the "Benefiting All Directions Archway." The temple boasted five grand halls, magnificent and resplendent, with lush pines, cypresses, and precious flowers and trees planted throughout, filling the air with fragrance all year round. Emperor Qianlong visited the temple twice during his southern tours in the 45th (1780) and 49th (1784) years of his reign. In the 10th year of the Xianfeng era (1860), the Nian Army captured Qingjiangpu, and Ciyun Temple was completely burned down.

In the first year of the Tongzhi era (1862), Ciyun Temple was rebuilt and restored, taking twenty years to return to its former appearance. Since its reconstruction, the temple has existed in a state that was part temple, part government office. During the Tongzhi era, Li Hongzhang's Huai-Yun Bureau was housed in the temple. In the 30th year of the Guangxu era (1904), local gentry established the "Pu Hui Porridge Factory" in the temple to provide relief for disaster victims. In the 32nd year of the Guangxu era (1906), Liu Yongqing, the Jiangsu Military Governor, set up the "Jiangbei Police Officers' Academy" in the temple, which later became a police substation.

In the 7th year of the Republic of China (1918), the "Mahavira Hall" of "Ciyun Temple" was once again destroyed in a fire. Years of war, coupled with successive floods and droughts, and later the invasion by Japanese forces, led to the temple's irreversible decline. In the 25th year of the Republic of China (1936), the Huaiyin Branch of the Chinese Buddhist Association was established, with its headquarters located in the temple. Before liberation, the temple also hosted the "Da Cheng School" (a charity school for children).

After liberation, "Ciyun Temple" was successively occupied by the Huaiyin Textile Company and the Hardware Company. In 1986, the provincial government approved the restoration and reopening of "Ciyun Temple," listing it as one of the province's key temples.

Starting from the winter of 1990, "Ciyun Temple" underwent comprehensive restoration, which took four years, and was finally reopened to the public, reclaiming its former solemn and majestic grandeur.