Pingwang Little Jiuhua Temple

Pingwang Little Jiuhua Temple

Pingwang Little Jiuhua Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Little Jiuhua Temple is located by the scenic Yinghu Lake, surrounded by water on all sides, connected to the land only by the majestic Ande Bridge. In the past, there was also a beautiful Muhong Bridge standing in front of the temple. With its red walls reflected in the blue waves, the morning drums and evening bells, and the endless sounds of oars and Buddhist chants, it is truly a sacred Buddhist site. Little Jiuhua Temple faces Yinghu Lake, which is a famous lake in the Hang-Jia region, renowned alongside Jiaxing’s South Lake and Hangzhou’s West Lake. It has attracted many literati and artists who composed poetry and painted here, such as Bai Juyi, Li Bai, Yang Wanli, and Lu Guimeng, leaving behind widely loved literary works. The phrase “A little red [maid] plays the flute and sings” is a famous line originating from this area. Classical novels such as *Outlaws of the Marsh* and *Stories to Awaken the World* also reference this lake.

Little Jiuhua Temple, also known as Jiuhua Chan Monastery, was originally named Dongyue Temple. It was built in the 44th year of the Wanli era during the Ming Dynasty (1616), when local resident Wu Guozhong, together with monk Tongyun, raised funds to construct the rear hall dedicated to the King of the Underworld (i.e., Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva, commonly known as the Earth Store Hall), and cast a incense burner in the courtyard. In the 43rd year of the Kangxi era (1704), Wu Guozhong’s son, Changyun, along with monk Langhan, raised funds to build the Guanyin Hall. In the 4th year of the Qianlong era (1738), the Guan Yu Hall and Liu Gong Shrine were constructed. In the 5th year of Qianlong (1740), supervising monk Yunshan built the mountain gate, guest hall, dining hall, and kitchen. The temple was destroyed in the 10th year of Qianlong (1745). In the 4th year of the Guangxu era (1878), wandering monks Yongyuan and Liantang rebuilt the five-bay mountain gate. In the 8th year of Guangxu (1882), monk Lianjue and Lianchang constructed a three-bay eastern guest hall. In the 9th year of Guangxu (1883), a three-bay western guest hall was built. In the 10th year of Guangxu (1884), the eastern wall was erected, and a three-bay abbot’s chamber was built. In the 11th year of Guangxu (1885), a five-bay Guanyin Hall was constructed. Historical records indicate that Little Jiuhua Temple in Pingwang was of considerable scale, with particularly thriving incense offerings. From the first day of the seventh lunar month to the first day of the tenth lunar month each year, pilgrims from near and far would gather, and visitors would flock in, making the incense fair extremely bustling and exerting significant social influence. It created quite a stir in the surrounding regions, gaining fame across China and spreading to Southeast Asia. It attracted numerous scholars and poets, leaving behind many poetic masterpieces and calligraphic paintings.

The *Pingwang Annals* from the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty recorded that the temple was built in the 40th year of the Wanli era (1616) to commemorate Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva. At that time, it was grand in scale, featuring a Guanyin Hall, Medicine Buddha Hall, Liu Gong Shrine, as well as a mountain gate, guest rooms, dining hall, and kitchen—all fully equipped—with upturned eaves and multiple layers of halls, attracting throngs of worshippers. It was a renowned temple in the Jiangnan region at the time. As time passed and great changes took place, this famous ancient temple endured the trials of history. In 1949, it was converted into the Pingwang Grain Management Office, and in 1970, it was turned into a flour mill, with the original temple structures repurposed and unrecognizable. Fortunately, to this day, the temple site still retains a osmanthus tree, a boxwood tree, and an ancient well as physical evidence, preserving memories of its history.

In 1997, with approval from the People’s Government of Wujiang City, the restoration of Pingwang Little Jiuhua Temple was authorized. This move was highly commended by the Chinese Buddhist community. Upon hearing the news, Mr. Zhao Puchu, President of the Buddhist Association of China, gladly inscribed the plaque “Little Jiuhua Temple.” The temple covers an area of 40 mu, facing from south to north. The first phase of construction included the mountain gate (also serving as the Heavenly King Hall), bell tower, drum tower, Mahavira Hall, Guanyin Hall, Earth Store Hall, Three Saints Hall, and the Thousand Buddha Pagoda. The second phase will include the construction of a scripture depository, Earth Store Pavilion, chanting hall, merit hall, and the “Master Taixu Memorial Hall.” Once fully completed, Little Jiuhua Temple will become one of the notable temples in the Suzhou area and a key Buddhist destination at the junction of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai.