Jiangning Hongjue Temple

Jiangning Hongjue Temple

Jiangning Hongjue Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Hongjue Temple is situated on Zutang Mountain in Dongshanqiao Town, Jiangning District, Nanjing City. It was first built in the second year of the Tianjian era during the Liang Dynasty of the Southern Dynasties (503 AD). Originally named "Foku Temple," it was later called "Hongjue Temple." During the Qing Dynasty, to avoid the naming taboo of Emperor Qianlong (Hongli), it was renamed "Hongjue Temple." Backed by Niushou Mountain and facing Yuntai Mountain, with hills surrounding it on both sides, the temple enjoys an excellent geographical location. At the southern foot of the mountain lies the largest underground palace in the southern Yangtze River region—the Twin Tombs of the Southern Tang Dynasty.

Zutang Mountain, where Hongjue Temple is located, has a long history of temple construction, with many eminent monks and famous temples throughout the dynasties, especially after the Tang Dynasty. Zutang Mountain is south of Niushou Mountain. It was also known as Youqi Mountain because the Youqi Temple was built on its southern side during the Southern Dynasties. In the early Tang Dynasty, the Buddhist Zen master Farong resided here, founding the Niutou Zen sect, which became historically known as the "Niutou Zen School." As a result, Youqi Mountain became the ancestral home of the Niutou School. With the prevalence of temple-building, as the saying goes, "In the Southern Dynasties, there were four hundred and eighty temples, how many towers and terraces in the misty rain?" Following this trend, Xu Du not only built temples on Niushou Mountain but also "used the remaining funds to compile Buddhist scriptures, Taoist texts, various histories, medical books, and illustrated volumes, totaling thousands of volumes, all seven collections dedicated here." This led to the grand architecture and vast collection of scriptures at Foku Temple, greatly enhancing its reputation.

In the dynasties that followed, the temple saw continuous expansions, and its name was often changed. During the Tang Dynasty, it was called Changle Temple, Fuchang Monastery, and Zishan Monastery. In the ninth year of the Dali era (774 AD), "Emperor Daizong, inspired by a dream, ordered the construction of a seven-story pagoda," instructing people to build a seven-story stupa on the western peak of Niushou Mountain, towering into the clouds. Later generations called it the "Tang Pagoda." During the Southern Tang Dynasty, the last ruler Li Yu renamed the temple Hongjue Temple. In the Taiping Xingguo era of the Song Dynasty, it was renamed Chongjiao Temple; shortly after, a five-story square Prajna Pagoda was built, later referred to as the "Song Pagoda."

In the early years of the Ming Dynasty's Hongwu era, it retained the name Foku Temple; during the Zhengtong era, it was renamed Hongjue Temple. The temple at the time was grand in scale and thriving in incense offerings. According to records: upon entering the mountain gate and ascending the slope, one would reach the Five-Bay Diamond Hall; with two stone stele pavilions standing opposite each other on either side; behind the hall were hundred stone steps, steep and orderly, known as the White Cloud Stairs; above the stairs was the Three-Bay Heavenly King Hall, followed by the Seven-Bay Mahavira Hall, enclosed by stone railings in front and shaded by a ginkgo tree over two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters) in circumference, lush and verdant. Other main structures in the temple included the Guanyin Hall, Lunzang Hall, Rear Buddha Hall, Sangharama Hall, Ancestral Master Hall, Reclining Buddha Hall, Manjusri Hall, Prajna Hall, and Maitreya Hall, each three bays; the Abbot’s Quarters with fourteen bays; two large halls for public learning; five major bays for the dining hall; the seven-story Tang-era Sarira Pagoda; a five-story square Song-era pagoda; and fifty-four monk dormitories. The temple grounds spanned a total of twenty-one li and thirty steps. The Ming Dynasty’s "Niushou Mountain Annals" further recorded: "Within the front and rear halls of the temple, the various Buddhas and Bodhisattvas were solemnly and beautifully sculpted, all from previous dynasties. Their malas, banners, incense burners, vessels, and staffs were unparalleled compared to other mountains." During the Ming Dynasty, Hongjue Temple "together with the coolness of the northwest (Qingliang Mountain) and the majesty of the southwest (Mount Emei), was regarded as a sacred site for the Dharma."

During the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong era, to avoid the naming taboo of Emperor Qianlong (Hongli), Hongjue Temple was renamed Hongjue Temple. Emperor Qianlong visited the Jiangnan region six times and personally inscribed the plaque "All Dharmas Are Thus" for the temple’s Buddha Hall. Hongjue Temple was destroyed by fire during the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty. Although it was later partially restored, its scale was far less than before. However, the seven-story pagoda and a ginkgo tree, said to have been planted by the monk Farong himself, still remain outside the temple gate.

During the Republic of China period, Hongjue Temple was renamed Pujue Temple. The renowned scholar Mr. Zhu Xie visited the old site of Foku Temple twice in the 1930s. At that time, the ancient temple "only had the Mahavira Hall left, with dust-covered Buddha niches and overgrown paths. To the right of the temple were dozens of apricot trees, their blossoms long faded, blooming and falling in solitude without anyone around." During the Anti-Japanese War, the ancient temple was once again ravaged by fire and looting by Japanese invaders. Apart from the solitary pagoda, all other temple structures had vanished without a trace.

In May 1993, proposed by Master Zhenhuan of Qixia Temple in Nanjing and approved by the Jiangning County People’s Government, the Nanjing Buddhist Association invited Master Hongcheng of Guangfeng Peak on Mount Jiuhua to oversee the reconstruction of Hongjue Temple. Since 1994, over 30 million yuan has been raised to gradually rebuild parts of the temple complex. The current abbot, Master Hongcheng, is from Wuwei County, Anhui Province, and became a monk at the age of 18 in the Tiantai Dao Seng Cave on Mount Jiuhua.

In 1984, he led the fundraising and reconstruction of the Guanyin Peak Chan Temple on Mount Jiuhua. It took ten years of hard work to restore the temple to its former glory. Since taking charge of Hongjue Temple, he has worked tirelessly, traveling extensively and dedicating himself wholeheartedly. Currently, the ongoing reconstruction of Hongjue Temple has taken initial shape, with its upturned eaves, solemn Buddha statues, staggered halls, and faint chanting creating an atmosphere that makes one forget the mundane world.

Scenic Area Address: Zutang Mountain, Dongshanqiao Town, Jiangning District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province

Transportation: Take bus routes 155, Jiangning Tourist Line 1, or Donggu Line in Nanjing City, and get off at Zutang Mountain Station.