Anxin Jingye Chan Temple

Anxin Jingye Chan Temple

Anxin Jingye Chan Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Jingye Chan Temple in Santai Town, Anxin County, Hebei Province was first built during the Dade era of the Yuan Dynasty. The most widely accepted account attributes its founding to Monk Jingzhao. However, according to the *Annals of Anxin County*: “In the year 18 AD, the fifth year of the Tianguang era under Wang Mang of the Xin Dynasty, the Red Eyebrows Rebellion reached the county. Locals built a fortified settlement in Santai to defend against invaders and dug a tunnel from Jingye Chan Temple to Xicun Village for shelter......” This passage already mentions Jingye Chan Temple, suggesting that if the temple existed then, it would predate the Yuan Dynasty claim by over 1,000 years. However, it is unlikely the temple existed as early as 18 AD, since Buddhism was not widely spread in China at that time. Buddhism was first introduced to China from India during the Eastern Han Dynasty, and the White Horse Temple built in Luoyang under Emperor Ming is historically recognized as China’s first Buddhist temple. Buddhism had not yet flourished during Wang Mang’s Tianguang era, so it is improbable that Jingye Chan Temple existed then. The reference in the *Annals of Anxin County* is likely a later use of the name. Nevertheless, this record does serve as evidence supporting the existence of a tunnel beneath Jingye Chan Temple.

After the Xinhai Revolution, modern schools began to emerge, and some temples in Anxin County were converted into educational institutions. Although Jingye Chan Temple did not change its function, it fell into disrepair over the years and was reduced to ruins, with nearly all cultural relics lost. During the Cultural Revolution, under the slogan “Sweep Away All Monsters and Demons,” all surface traces of Jingye Chan Temple were completely erased, and a branch of Shenmingting Primary School was built on the former temple site.

After the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee, with approval from higher authorities, Jingye Chan Temple was restored and reopened, resuming its role in promoting Buddhism. The temple now consists of three main halls, 21 auxiliary halls, six monks, and over 700 lay followers, spread across regions including Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Baoding, and Cangzhou.

Transportation Guide

Address: Santai Town, Anxin County, Baoding City, Hebei Province

Transport Options: Buses heading to Santai Town from Anxin County can take you there.