Qiandeng Yanfu Temple

Qiandeng Yanfu Temple

Qiandeng Yanfu Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Yanfu Chan Temple was built in the second year of the Tianjian era of the Liang Dynasty when Wang Shu, a resident of Qiandeng Town, donated his residence. In the second year of the Tianfu era of the Wuyue Kingdom (937), it was bestowed the name "Bo Re Temple" by imperial decree. In the first year of the Dazhong Xiangfu era of the Song Dynasty, it reverted to the name Yanfu Chan Temple. Wang Jue, who had served as a county clerk and had no children in his old age, donated his home to expand the temple. The Buddhist temple was grand in scale and became a sacred site, attracting worshippers from the regions south of the Yangtze River whose incense offerings never ceased.

The temple was destroyed at the end of the Yuan Dynasty. It was rebuilt during the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1398). In the second year of the Yongle era, Xia Yuanji, Minister of Revenue, stayed at this temple while dredging the Wusong River and Qiandeng Pu. During the Wanli era (1573–1619), the monk Zhan Yue renovated the Dharma Hall and the Mountain Gate. The temple was destroyed again at the end of the Ming Dynasty but was later rebuilt by the Qing Dynasty monk Daye Miyin, who reconstructed the Buddha Hall and Scripture Pavilion. During the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty, the temple was burned down in battles between the Qing army and the Taiping Army, leaving only a few rear rooms and several monks.

After the liberation, the monks were re-employed, and the rear rooms were transferred to a hospital. From 2003 to 2005, the temple was restored to its original appearance.

Related Architecture

Main Mountain Gate: The brick-carved screen wall in the Main Mountain Gate features a "three-tiered waterdrop" design. The wall is divided vertically into three sections: the left and right sections are symmetrical in size, while the middle section is taller and wider. The center is carved with Buddhist sacred objects symbolizing good fortune, prosperity, and wealth. Opposite the screen wall is the "Heavenly King Hall," whose door bears the four gilded characters "Yanfu Chan Temple," shining brilliantly in the sunlight.

Heavenly King Hall: The Heavenly King Hall houses six bodhisattvas: the "Maitreya Buddha" facing south, the "Skanda" facing north, and the "Four Heavenly Kings" on both sides. The Maitreya Buddha is enshrined at the main entrance of the Heavenly King Hall, smiling warmly, bare-chested, and welcoming all visitors.

Qin Peak Pagoda: In the second year of the Tianjian era of the Liang Dynasty (503), the monk Congyi from Yanfu Chan Temple raised funds to build the seven-story Qin Zhu Peak Pagoda (now called Qin Peak Pagoda) southwest of Qiandeng Pu, south of Yanfu Chan Temple, and at the center of Qiandeng Town. It was renovated during the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty. The pagoda is built of brick and wood, standing eleven zhang, six chi, and one cun tall (approximately 38.7 meters), with a square cross-section, each side measuring one zhang, four chi, six cun, and four fen (approximately 4.88 meters). The spire is made of cast iron, two zhang and one chi tall (approximately 7 meters), topped with an iron gourd, beneath which an eight-sided ring is welded. At each corner stands a small purple copper bird, below which four large white copper ear-shaped plates are embedded. The edges of the ear plates are connected to the four upturned corners at the top by iron. Copper bells hang beneath each corner eave, producing a delightful sound in the breeze. Inside the pagoda, stairs connect each level, with nanmu wood flooring on each floor allowing access to the top. In the past, the top floor housed a teahouse, and each level was surrounded by wooden railings offering panoramic views. A Qing Dynasty poet, Fang Haosi, wrote: "Layer upon layer of pagodas atop Qiandun, towering into the clouds, hindering wild eagles. I wish to ascend to view the four seas, but my autumn-weakened body cannot endure it." The pagoda collapsed at the end of the Ming Dynasty. During the Qing Dynasty, the monk Songtang from Jing Mountain raised funds to rebuild it to its original state. In July of the second year of the Yongzheng era (1724), strong winds broke the top of Qin Peak Pagoda, with several Wanli-era coins still embedded in the broken pieces. In the fifty-fourth year of the Qianlong era (1789), the monk Jianyun from Yanfu Temple raised funds to repair it up to the fourth floor before running out of resources. During the Tongzhi era, the Taiping Army and Qing forces fought, and the pagoda’s floors, stairs, and railings were all burned (only the top floor’s structure remains). Since then, visitors could only admire the pagoda from afar. In 1962 and 1963, protective maintenance was carried out to "seal the corners and protect the body of the pagoda." In 1978, "fence" maintenance was performed to protect the pagoda, and in 1994, major repairs restored its Song Dynasty appearance.

Mahavira Hall: The architectural style of the Mahavira Hall features a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof, making the hall tall, majestic, and imposing. "Mahavira" is a title of the Buddha, symbolizing fearlessness, boundless Buddhist wisdom, and infinite power. The center of the Mahavira Hall enshrines the "Three Bodies of the Buddha": the central one is the Dharmakaya Buddha "Vairocana," representing the embodiment of Buddhist truth and the unity of all Buddha forms; on the left is the Sambhogakaya Buddha "Rushana," representing the body attained through cultivation and enjoying the pure land of the Buddha realm; on the right is the Nirmanakaya Buddha "Sakyamuni," representing the various incarnations the Buddha took to save sentient beings.

Qiandeng Town: Qiandeng was formerly known as Qiandun. According to the *Songnan Zhi* by Chen Yuanmo of the Qing Dynasty, thirty-six li southeast of Kunshan County in Chuanshan Township lies a waterway called Qiandun Pu. As the Wusong River flows eastward from Wumen, there are nearly a thousand mounds on both banks, hence the name Qiandun. In the second year of the Xuantong era of the Qing Dynasty (1910), it was renamed Qiandun, with two legends about the origin: one suggests it was a refined literary term, and the other claims it was due to the abundance of madder plants on the mounds. In April 1966, with approval from the Jiangsu Provincial People's Committee, it was renamed Qiandeng, as it remains today.

Located in the Yangtze River Delta and under the jurisdiction of Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province, Qiandeng covers an area of 84 square kilometers with a population of 130,000, including… [Qiandeng Town Detailed Information++]