Longchang Temple

Longchang Temple

Longchang Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Longchang Temple is located on Baohua Mountain, about 2 kilometers north of Tangshan Town. Baohua Mountain derives its name from the golden-yellow flowers that cover its slopes in peak summer, while the 36 peaks surrounding it resemble 36 lotus petals, with Longchang Temple sitting majestically at the center like the heart of a lotus. The mountain is often shrouded in mist, with streams murmuring softly throughout the year. Evergreen pines and cypresses thrive in all seasons, making it an extraordinary Buddhist destination.

Longchang Temple, also known as Baohua Temple, was first built in 502 AD and has a history of over 1,400 years. It was originally established as a hermitage by the eminent monk Baozhi during the Liang Dynasty, where he preached Buddhist scriptures—hence its original name, Baozhi Hermitage. Baozhi is said to be the prototype of the legendary monk Jigong in Chinese folklore. During the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Shenzong granted the temple a complete set of Buddhist scriptures and bestowed upon it the name “Longchang Temple: The Holy Temple for Protecting the Nation,” leading to its current name. Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty visited Longchang Temple on Baohua Mountain multiple times, a testament to its significant status and influence in the Buddhist world.

Longchang Temple is the ancestral home of the Buddhist Vinaya School and is known as the “Foremost Mountain of the Vinaya School.” The temple’s ordination platform is a privilege reserved only for monasteries qualified to conduct ordination ceremonies. Longchang Temple boasts a legendary 999.5 halls, featuring a unique layout with a square formation resembling a sacred altar. Uniquely, its main gate faces northeast rather than the traditional south, and is both small and secluded. This design change was made because emperors once visited the temple, so the gate was turned to face north as a sign of welcoming the imperial presence. As for the modest size of the gate, it reflects the strict discipline of the Vinaya School—by keeping the gate small, monks are discouraged from entering and exiting casually, and worldly distractions are kept at bay.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units