Wulei Temple

Wulei Temple

Wulei Temple is a cultural heritage site protected by Cixi City.

Wulei Temple is located at the southern foot of Xiangwang Peak on Wulei Mountain in Guanhaiwei Town, Cixi City. According to historical records such as the Guangxu-era "Cixi County Annals," the origins of Wulei Temple can be traced back to the 3rd century AD. Legend has it that during the Chiwu era of the Three Kingdoms period, Lady Wu, the mother of Sun Quan, the ruler of the Wu Kingdom, was boating past Wulei Mountain when she noticed faint lights on the mountain late at night. Upon investigation, she learned that Indian Buddhist monks were meditating in thatched huts on the mountain. Impressed by their devotion to spreading the Dharma, she ordered the construction of a temple. The founding Indian monk of Wulei Temple, Nārāyana, thus ended his life of living under the open sky and drinking from streams.

During the Wende era of the Tang Dynasty, the monk Lingjun built Wulei Temple and named it "Lingshan Chan Monastery." In the Dazhong Xiangfu era of the Song Dynasty, an imperial decree bestowed the name "Wulei Pujici Monastery." In the ninth year of the TianSheng era, the monk Cen Ji raised funds for renovations. During the Shunzhi and Kangxi reigns of the Qing Dynasty, eminent monks of the Linji School—Dao Min, Da Bian, and Zhuo Yan—came to the temple to preach. For a time, Wulei Temple attracted throngs of pilgrims and gathered numerous monks and nuns. With over 140 halls, towers, and living quarters, it became a renowned Buddhist temple in eastern Zhejiang. In the third year of the Xuantong era, the 43rd-generation Tiantai School master Di Xian presided over the temple, promoting Tiantai teachings and renaming it "Lingshan Lecture Temple," thus establishing Wulei Temple as a Tiantai School sanctuary. In the third year of the Republic of China, the monk Bing Rui moved from Jinshan Temple to Wulei Temple to serve as abbot, rebuilding the Mahavira Hall and restoring over 80 dilapidated monastic buildings, reviving the Dharma once again. In the 20th year of the Republic of China, the monk Yi Huan initiated the establishment of a Vinaya studies center and invited Master Hongyi to lead the "Nanshan Vinaya Institute," though it was ultimately unsuccessful due to unforeseen circumstances. In 1941, Japanese invaders occupied Cixi and destroyed the mountain gate and the Heavenly King Hall during a military sweep, leading to the decline of Buddhist activities at the temple.

In August 1942, the CPC East Zhejiang Regional Committee and the Sanbei Guerrilla Command were successively established, and several important meetings were held at Wulei Temple. In 1985, the Cixi County People's Government approved the reopening of Wulei Temple as a Buddhist site and renamed it "Wulei Lecture Temple." Zhao Puchu and Sha Menghai inscribed plaques for the temple. In 1987, the county government allocated funds for the renovation and expansion of Wulei Temple. In 1988, a mountain-looping highway was completed, and in the autumn of the same year, the Buddha’s Relic Consecration Ceremony and the 1100th Anniversary Commemoration were held.

The Stupa of the Venerable Nārāyana is located at the remaining Rì Bay on the western side of Wulei Temple. During the Cultural Revolution, the stupa collapsed, leaving only the stone tower and a pottery urn containing ashes. The stone tower stands 1 meter tall, topped with inverted lotus petals and set on a cloud-patterned base. The hexagonal main column is 0.6 meters high and bears the inscription “The Stupa of the Founding Venerable Nārāyana,” in intaglio regular script. On October 4, 1981, the Buddhist Association of China sent a letter stating: “The Indian monk Venerable Nārāyana from the Three Kingdoms period was one of the earliest Indian monks to come to China. His tomb lies at the foot of Wulei Mountain and should be considered an ancient relic. It is proposed to protect and carry out simple restoration work.” In 1992, local Buddhist authorities rebuilt the Venerable Nārāyana Stupa on the western side of Wulei Temple. In December 2003, the Cixi Municipal People's Government listed Wulei Temple and the Venerable Nārāyana Stupa as part of the fifth batch of cultural heritage sites.

“The temple is named after Wulei, and Wulei is made famous by the temple.” Today’s Wulei Lecture Temple covers a construction area of 7,797 square meters, featuring 213 halls, towers, and various living quarters. Key structures such as the Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, Guanyin Hall, Three Saints Hall, Ksitigarbha Hall, and Scripture Depository have been continuously improved, bringing the grandeur of this renowned eastern Zhejiang temple back to life on Wulei Mountain.

Suggested Duration

1 hour

Ticket Price

40 RMB per person

Opening Hours

7:30-16:30

Location

Southern foot of Xiangwang Peak on Wulei Mountain, Cixi City, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province