Ningbo Buddhist Lay Buddhists' Forest

Ningbo Buddhist Lay Buddhists' Forest

Ningbo Buddhist Lay Buddhists' Forest is a cultural heritage site protected by Haishu District.

Located in the heart of downtown Ningbo and situated on Liuting Islet in Moon Lake, Ningbo Buddhist Lay Buddhists' Forest boasts serene scenery and an auspicious atmosphere. Covering an area of over 1,700 square meters, the forest features solemn and majestic halls that serve as a pure sanctuary for lay devotees to worship and practice Buddhism.

The original site of the Ningbo Buddhist Lay Buddhists' Forest was first established in 1284 during the Yuan Dynasty under Emperor Kublai Khan, initially serving as a family ancestral hall. In 1327, it was converted into a post station and later known as the “Xuantan Hall” (the God of Wealth Hall). Around the time of the 1911 Revolution, Bian Wenjin, a devoted lay Buddhist from Yin County, donated funds to relocate the Lay Buddhists' Forest from its original site near the southern gate to its current location. Here, the Great Buddha’s Hall and the Western Trinity Hall were constructed. However, by 1959, along with other urban temples, it was destroyed and the community dispersed, interrupting religious activities.

In 1989, with strong support from the Ningbo municipal government and the full implementation of the Party’s religious policies, all the original halls and buildings belonging to the Lay Buddhists' Forest were reclaimed. Thanks to five and a half years of selfless dedication and hard work by over 100 volunteer workers involved in the reconstruction, six Buddhist halls have been restored: the Great Buddha’s Hall, the Trinity Hall, the Kṣitigarbha Hall, the Maitreya Hall, the Avalokitesvara Hall, and the Chanting Hall. In addition, the forest also includes a scripture depository and a Buddhist study reading room, providing a space for devotees to deepen their practice, cultivate purity of mind, and establish true faith.

The Ningbo Lay Buddhists' Forest maintains a comprehensive set of internal regulations and has established nine departments, including the Work Liaison Group, Finance and Accounting Group, Security Group, Dharma Affairs Group, Life Logistics Group, Medical Group, Catering Group, Storage Group, and the Dharma Item Distribution Office. These are governed by eleven sets of rules and regulations to ensure that every member fulfills their duties and works together with unity. The “Buddhist Study Group” within the forest regularly holds Dharma lectures for devotees and organizes study sessions for volunteer workers. All members practice in the spirit of the Six Harmonies, working diligently, supporting one another, and living in harmony.

Adhering to the principle of “promoting the Dharma, loving the nation and Buddhism, benefiting all beings, and purifying body and mind,” the Ningbo Buddhist Lay Buddhists' Forest actively engages in various public welfare initiatives. It tirelessly offers acts of kindness such as providing free tea and medicine, and wholeheartedly contributes to disaster relief donations and poverty alleviation efforts. The organization has also established a “Charity Foundation” to further support social welfare causes.

Currently, the Lay Buddhists' Forest has built a “Life Release Pond” and formed a “Chanting Support Team” and a “Life Release Group.” There are ongoing efforts to establish a “Retreat for Elderly Lay Buddhists” and a “Retirement Sanctuary,” striving to offer selfless service to the community.

The head of the Ningbo Lay Buddhists' Forest is Ms. Xu Wenfang, a native of Ningbo, currently 55 years old. She graduated from Shanghai Normal University and was a disciple of Master Mingyang.

Scenic Spot Location

No. 98 Liuting Street, Haishu District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province

Yuehu Subdistrict: Established in 1992, Yuehu Subdistrict in Haishu District is located in the center of Ningbo. It stretches from Jiefang Road in the east to Changchun Road in the west, neighbors the five-star Nanyuan Hotel to the south, and borders Zhongshan Road to the north. It was formed through the merger of three former subdistricts: Xianxue, Huxi, and Cangqiao. The area covers 2.07 square kilometers, with 16,492 resident households and a population of 41,775. It has seven community residents' committees. The district boasts a rich historical culture and abundant humanistic landscapes, including the “Tianyi Pavilion,” Asia’s oldest private library known as the “Library of the Southern Country,” and the long-established Buddhist holy site—the Lay Buddhists' Forest. This… Yuehu Subdistrict Detailed Information++