Xuzhou Zhulin Temple

Xuzhou Zhulin Temple

Xuzhou Zhulin Temple is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and a cultural tourism site.

Zhulin Temple, one of the Eight Ancient Temples of Xuzhou, is situated on Camel Hill at the eastern end of Heping Bridge in Xuzhou City, with a history of over 1,600 years. Originally called Qingyuan Temple, it was renamed Zhulin Temple by imperial decree of Emperor Mu of Jin after Buddhist nun Jingjian was invited to take up residence there. According to the Biographies of Bhikshunis written by Baochang of the Liang Dynasty during the Southern Dynasties, the first Buddhist nun in China to be ordained according to monastic rules was Jingjian of Zhulin Temple in Luoyang. Her secular surname was Zhong, given name Lingyi, and she was a native of Pengcheng (now Xuzhou). Zhulin Temple in Luoyang was the first monastery in China dedicated to the practice of female monastics, while Zhulin Temple in Xuzhou is regarded as the first bhikkhuni monastery in the country. The Xuzhou Zhulin Temple was completed and opened to the public in September 2009, with Master Mingdao invited to serve as its abbot. In 2013, it was designated as a national 3A-level tourist attraction.