Lingyan Chan Temple

Lingyan Chan Temple

Lingyan Chan Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

　Lingyan Chan Temple is situated on Lingyan Mountain in Xiongzhou Town, southeast of Luhe District. Lingyan Mountain, with an elevation of 170 meters and a circumference of nineteen li, earned its name because “the mountain has no sharp peaks, its rocky ridges rise layer upon layer, presenting a uniform appearance on all sides, and often emits spiritual auspiciousness from its cliffs.” Since ancient times, it has been renowned as the foremost mountain in Luhe. The mountain is a major source of Yuhua stones and boasts numerous historical sites and scenic attractions; natural landmarks such as Yan Yue Cliff, Immortal’s Cave, Deer Run Spring, and White Dragon Pool are not only strikingly beautiful but also associated with captivating legends passed down through folklore. “Lingyan Accumulated Snow” is one of the Eight Scenic Views of Luhe.

Lingyan Chan Temple is built halfway up Lingyan Mountain, hence it is also commonly known as “Halfway-up-the-Mountain Temple.” According to the *Luhe County Annals*, “During the Xiantong era of the Tang Dynasty, Master Shenjian received teachings from the Fourth Patriarch. He had a saying, ‘When encountering a cliff, I shall stop,’ and thus established a practice site beneath this cliff, founding the Fayi Chan Monastery.” By this account, the temple has a history of over 1,140 years since the Tang Dynasty. With its long history and former status as an imperial temple, Lingyan Chan Temple has always maintained significant influence within the Buddhist community. Numerous literati and poets have also praised it lavishly, leaving behind many poetic verses.

Lingyan Chan Temple has weathered much turmoil, experiencing both flourishing and decline. “In the eighth year of the Xianfeng reign, the temple was destroyed by bandits, and the pagoda leaned precariously, urgently needing repair.” During the Anti-Japanese War, the temple was ultimately razed by the artillery fire of Japanese invaders. It was not until May 2002, when the former Luhe County was restructured into Luhe District and amid a time of prosperity with many sectors awaiting revival, that the Luhe District People’s Government decided to rebuild Lingyan Chan Temple on its original site to foster religious harmony and social concord, meet the wishes of Buddhist devotees, and build a harmonious society.

In early 2003, the reconstruction project of Lingyan Chan Temple officially commenced. On November 9, 2006, the consecration ceremony for the Guanyin statue was held. By September 2008, the main structures and landscape projects were fully completed, including the Guanyin Pavilion, Mahavira Hall, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Mountain Gate, enclosing walls, Abbot’s Quarters, and the Well Pavilion. The temple covers an area of approximately 3,000 square meters, with a built-up area of about 2,000 square meters. Currently, the statues in the Mahavira Hall of Lingyan Chan Temple are being gilded, and a consecration ceremony is planned for November 2008.

The Guanyin statue at Lingyan Chan Temple features three faces integrated into one, making it the largest of its kind in northern Jiangsu. The statue consists of two parts: a lotus pedestal and the Guanyin figure. The lotus pedestal is 6.19 meters long and 2.19 meters wide, while the Guanyin statue itself stands 9.19 meters tall, bringing the total height of the statue to 11.38 meters. The three-faced Guanyin depicts the front-facing image of Guanyin holding a string of Buddhist beads, symbolizing good fortune and peace; the southern-facing side shows Guanyin cradling a baby, revered as the Child-Giving Guanyin; the northern-facing side shows Guanyin holding a pure vase, expressing the wish for everlasting safety for all people.

In front of the monks’ quarters at Lingyan Chan Temple, there is a well pavilion built around an ancient well dating back to the Tang Dynasty, evoking the tranquil charm of the prosperous Tang era, enduring through the ages. In front of the temple gate, a bamboo grove is planted, dense and lush. When the wind blows, the rustling of bamboos echoes through the valleys, creating a refreshing and delightful atmosphere. Hidden within the grove is the mountain approach path, winding along the mountain terrain and flanked by divine beasts, leading all the way to the stone archway at the foot of the mountain. Standing here and looking into the distance, you can see ancient trees towering around Lingyan Chan Temple, presenting a majestic scene that recreates the realm described in ancient poetry: “Several li into the river road, a thousand peaks converge at the temple gate; here one finds true contentment, with temple bells and chants echoing from dawn to dusk.”

According to the *Luhe County Annals*, as an extension of Lingyan Chan Temple, a seven-story stupa was once built atop Lingyan Mountain. The reason was rooted in ancient beliefs in feng shui; it was thought that the scarcity of scholarly talent in Luhe was due to Lingyan Mountain having “no sharp peak at the top.” Therefore, a pagoda named Wenfeng Pagoda (Literary Peak Pagoda) was constructed on the mountain top, symbolizing the hope for more talented individuals emerging from Luhe. Unfortunately, this pagoda collapsed in May of the 27th year of the Guangxu reign (1901 AD) due to years of neglect and disrepair. Relevant departments in Luhe are currently actively working on rebuilding the pagoda.