Nanjing Qingliang Ancient Temple

Nanjing Qingliang Ancient Temple

Nanjing Qingliang Ancient Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Qingliang Temple is located on Qingliang Mountain in Gulou District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. Qingliang Ancient Temple is the birthplace of the Fayan School, one of the five major schools of Chinese Zen Buddhism. The Fayan School was founded by the eminent monk Wenyi of the Southern Tang Dynasty. His Zen philosophy holds a lofty status and value in the history of Chinese Buddhism, exerting far-reaching influence in Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia, making it historically significant.

Qingliang Mountain, anciently known as Stone Mountain or Shishou Mountain, is situated in the western part of Nanjing, at the western end of Guangzhou Road. Before the Tang Dynasty, the Yangtze River reached the southwestern foot of Qingliang Mountain, where the river’s currents carved out steep cliffs, forming a natural barrier against northern invaders. The ruler of the Wu Kingdom, Sun Quan, built Stone City here as a strategic river defense post, hence it was also called Stone City. Legend has it that during the Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang observed the terrain of Jinling and described it as “Zhongfu the dragon coiled, Stone the tiger crouched.” This tiger crouching by the river refers to Qingliang Mountain. The site of Qingliang Temple lies within Qingliang Mountain and is one of the oldest ancient temples in Nanjing, having suffered destruction and abandonment multiple times since its establishment.

The temple was first built in the fourth year of the Zhonghe era of the Tang Dynasty (884 AD), though its original name is unknown. During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (between 921–927 AD), the great chancellor Xu Wen rebuilt it and named it Xingjiao Temple, inviting the monk Wukong Xiufu to serve as abbot. In the early Shengyuan era of the Southern Tang Dynasty (938 AD), Emperor Li Jing expanded Xingjiao Temple into the Qingliang Grand Monastery and invited Master Wenyi to serve as abbot. From then on, Stone Mountain was renamed Qingliang Mountain. In the fifth year of the Taiping Xingguo era of the Northern Song Dynasty (972 AD), it was renamed Qingliang Guanghui Chan Temple. In the thirty-fifth year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1403 AD), Prince Zhou Zhu Zhen renovated the mountain temple, and Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di inscribed the plaque “Qingliang Chan Temple.” When the Taiping Army occupied Nanjing, they extensively damaged the city’s cultural landmarks, and Qingliang Temple was not spared. Further upheavals left it in decline.

Scenic Area Address: Within Qingliang Mountain Park, Qingliang Mountain Road, Gulou District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province

Transportation: In Nanjing, take bus 806 and get off at the South Gate of Qingliang Mountain Park; or take inner/outer loop bus 3, bus 21, 109, 132, 302, 318, or 818 and get off at Hujuguan South Station.