Seven Pagodas Temple

Seven Pagodas Temple

Seven Pagodas Temple is a Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Seven Pagodas Temple

Seven Pagodas Temple is located in Jiangdong District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, bounded by Bai Zhang Road to the south, Ji Cao Street to the west, Lane 38 of Ji Cao Street to the north, and close to Rainbow North Road to the east. Historically, it was one of the Four Great Buddhist Monasteries of Eastern Zhejiang (namely, Tiantong Temple, Ayuwang Temple, Seven Pagodas Temple, and Guanzong Temple). In 1983, it was approved by the State Council as one of the first batch of key…

Seven Pagodas Temple

Seven Pagodas Temple is a Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Seven Pagodas Temple

Seven Pagodas Temple is located in Jiangdong District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, bounded by Bai Zhang Road to the south, Ji Cao Street to the west, Lane 38 of Ji Cao Street to the north, and close to Rainbow North Road to the east. Historically, it was one of the Four Great Buddhist Monasteries of Eastern Zhejiang (namely, Tiantong Temple, Ayuwang Temple, Seven Pagodas Temple, and Guanzong Temple). In 1983, it was approved by the State Council as one of the first batch of key open temples. The temple features elegantly structured, simple, and solemn halls, representing a classic Zen-style Seven-Hall layout. Its main structures include: the Seven Buddha Pagoda, Mountain Gate Archway, Heavenly King Hall, Yuantong Treasure Hall, Three Saints Hall, Dharma Hall & Scripture Depository, Jade Buddha Pavilion, Ancestral Hall, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, East and West Side Rooms, Comprehensive Building, and more.

Seven Pagodas Temple was initially built in the 12th year of the Dazhong era during the Tang Dynasty (858 AD), boasting over 1,140 years of history. At that time, Ren Jingqiu, a local official from Fennin County in Jiangxi, donated his residence to establish the temple and invited Master Xinying Zanghuan, the retired abbot of Tiantong Temple, to preside over it. He became the founding patriarch, and the temple was originally named “Dongjin Chan Monastery.” Master Zanghuan was a direct disciple of Mazu Daoyi and a student of Master Lingmo of Wuxie Mountain, thus Dongjin Chan Monastery belonged to the Hongzhou School of Zen Buddhism. Deeply versed in Zen teachings, Master Zanghuan held widespread dharma assemblies in Ningbo, attracting practitioners eager to attain enlightenment. The Song Dynasty’s Biographies of Eminent Monks noted: “Wherever he went, monks gathered; halls were filled, and crowds stood in reverence. His knowledge was profound, his insights incisive. Whether facing challengers or seekers of truth, he dispelled confusion and shattered doubts with a single word.” In 860 AD, during the uprising led by Qiu Fu in Eastern Zhejiang, rebels raided the area, and over 2,000 soldiers stormed the temple intending to loot it. While others fled in fear, Master Xinying sat meditating calmly with closed eyes, unmoved. The soldiers, awestruck, withdrew in respect, sparing the temple. The following year, the governor reported this to the imperial court, praising the master’s virtue, leading Emperor Yizong to rename the monastery “Qixin Temple.”

In 1008 AD, Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty decreed the renaming of Qixin Temple to “Chongshou Temple.” By then, the temple had become one of the region’s renowned Buddhist centers, standing alongside Yanqing Temple, a prominent Tiantai sect institution in the city. It also trained many eminent monks for the Tiantai school, such as Mingzhi Zhongli (a disciple of Guangzhi), Zhilian Jueyun (a disciple of Shenzhao), and the Vinaya master Jiedu. In 1118 AD, under Emperor Huizong, who was influenced by the Taoist Lin Lingsu and sought to promote Taoism, Buddhist temples were ordered converted into Taoist shrines, and Chongshou Temple became Shangxiao Yuqing Wanshou Palace. In 1120 AD, it was restored to its former name, Qixin Chongshou Temple. In March 1167 AD, Japanese envoys sent a letter to the Ningbo authorities seeking clarification on Buddhist doctrines. When no local monk dared respond, the temple’s preceptor Xin’an stepped forward, addressing each point and identifying seven errors in the letter, prompting the envoys to withdraw in embarrassment. For upholding national and Buddhist dignity, the governor honored him as the “Preceptor of the Realm.”

During the Yuan Dynasty, Chongshou Temple continued to promote the Lotus Sutra teachings and remained an important Tiantai center in Ningbo. Notable Tiantai scholars included Master Yunze, successor of Shanye; Master Shicheng, successor of Shanji; and Master Jingzhu, successor of Hongdao. In 1387 AD, during the Ming Dynasty, General Tang He, defending against pirate raids, implemented a scorched-earth policy, relocating island residents inland and destroying over 300 halls of Mount Putuo’s Bao Tu Temple (precursor to Puji Temple). The Thousand-Armed Guanyin statue was relocated to Chongshou Temple in Ningbo, where Abbot Weimo donated land for a new Bao Tu Temple. One-third of the temple’s eastern area was rebuilt as Chongshou Temple. The following year, it was renamed “Putuo Temple,” becoming a Guanyin sacred site known as “Little Putuo.” This established deep historical ties between Seven Pagodas Temple and Mount Putuo. In 1406 AD, Chongshou and Putuo were merged. In 1424 AD, Abbot Ruiqing constructed the Yuantong Treasure Hall. In 1432 AD, Yongqian built the Pilu Pavilion. In 1458 AD, Wenbin erected the Scripture Depository, Great Mercy and Amitabha Halls, and corridors. During the Jiajing era (1522–1565), the Ten Kings Hall was added.

In the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, Master Quanshi Wo, a descendant of Linji lineage masters Yuanwu Qingyuan of Tiantong and Tongxian Quanxian of Fushih, along with his disciples, resided at the temple and propagated Linji Zen teachings. During the Shunzhi era (1644–1661), the Abbot’s Hall was built at Seven Pagodas Temple. In the Kangxi era (1662–1722), the temple renovated the Buddha Hall, Mountain Gate, and Bell Tower. In 1682 AD, the Great Mercy Hall was constructed, and Chao Yu built the Yunlai Nunnery Stupa. With seven Buddha pagodas erected out front (symbolizing the Seven Past Buddhas and the roots of Zen lineage), it became commonly known as “Seven Pagodas Temple.” In 1861 AD, during the Taiping Rebellion, the temple was ravaged by war and left in ruins. In 1871 AD, Dr. Zhou Wenxue and his mother from Yingchun Lane in Jiangdong, Ningbo, initiated restoration efforts. Through relentless fundraising, they rebuilt the Great Buddha Hall and Mountain Gate. In 1890 AD, Master Ci Yun, retired abbot of Tiantong Temple, accepted the community's invitation to serve as abbot. He undertook extensive renovations, rebuilding the Mahavira Hall, Heavenly King Hall, Three Saints Hall, Ancestral Hall, Scripture Depository, Dharma Hall, Meditation Hall, Buddha Recitation Hall, Cloud Water Hall, and the Seven Pagodas at the gate, installing a Thousand-Armed Guanyin statue. The temple flourished with renewed vigor. In 1895 AD, Master Ci Yun petitioned the imperial court for a set of the Dragon Canon Sutras and received the honorary title “Bao’en Temple” from Emperor Guangxu, henceforth known as “Seven Pagodas Bao’en Chan Temple.” A 39th-generation lineage holder of the Linji school, Master Ci Yun propagated Linji teachings, ordaining 48 eminent disciples, including notable figures like Yuanying, Daojie, and Puchang. The temple’s influence spread across China and abroad, forming a significant “Seven Pagodas lineage” with branches in Hunan, Yunnan, Sichuan, Shaanxi, Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Anhui, Henan, Taiwan, as well as Southeast Asia, Japan, and Korea. It became a key center of Linji revival in modern China. Later generations honored Master Ci Yun by building the “Ci Yin Hall” in his memory, recognizing him as the temple’s restorer.

During the Republican era, when Abbot Jueyuan served as head monk, he invited Vinaya master Puchang to establish the Seven Pagodas Bao’en Buddhist Academy. Over ten years (1928–1938), the academy trained 288 monastics, many of whom became distinguished teachers. Master Puchang also oversaw compilation of the Seven Pagodas Temple Annals, the Bao’en Temple Genealogy, and the academy journal. When Master Yuanying was abbot, he built a stupa complex on Yushan Ridge in Tong’ao, Wuxiang, Yin County, for elderly monks’ retreats, and established a communal stupa for housing monastic relics. The temple has produced numerous eminent monks throughout history, with lineage holders such as Qichang, Daoxing, Suijun, Zhizhuan, Changxi, Jueyuan, Yuanying, Puchang, Zhinan, and Xianzong serving as abbots. Eminent monks like Xuyun, Diyuan, Yuanying, Daojie, Puchang, and Diwen frequently lectured here, profoundly influencing the Buddhist community.