Guanzong Temple

Guanzong Temple

Guanzong Temple is a cultural heritage site protected by Ningbo Municipality.

Located on Lianxiang Lane, Ninglingqiao Road in downtown Ningbo, it faces east and neighbors Yanqing Temple. The temple was originally named Sixteen Contemplation Hall. During the Yuanyou era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1078–1085), the monk Ji Ran practiced Pure Land Buddhism, raised funds to build over sixty rooms, with a central treasure pavilion surrounded by sixteen chambers—thus the name. After surviving several wars and fires and undergoing several reconstructions, it expanded to include the Amitabha Hall, Great Compassion Hall, Water-Land Hall, Scripture Depository, Meditation Hall, as well as the Separation Hall, storage rooms, and guest hall. In the seventh year of the Tongzhi era (1868), a large bell was installed, and numerous Buddha statues were added. In the first year of the Republic of China (1912), Master Xian Kan of the Tiantai School took charge of the temple, expanded the buildings, reorganized the scale, and officially named it Guanzong Temple. Affiliated with the Tiantai School of Buddhism, it also incorporates teachings from the Chan and Pure Land traditions. It has had considerable influence in countries such as Japan and played a certain role in international cultural exchanges. In modern times, Guanzong Temple, along with Mingzhou Putuo, Nanjing Zhina Buddhist College, and Wuchang Buddhist College, became centers for activities of various Buddhist sects in China, including the Tiantai, Pure Land, Esoteric, and Yogacara schools.

Initially built during the Yuanyou era of the Song Dynasty, the monk Ji Ran raised funds to construct over sixty rooms in the northeast corner of Yanqing Temple, with a central shrine named Yanqing Temple Guan Hall, serving as a branch of Yanqing Temple. During the Qing dynasties of Qianlong and Jiaqing, the halls were renovated and monastic quarters were added, establishing it as an independent monastery. In the early years of the Republic of China, Master Dian Xian, a leading figure of the Tiantai School, served as abbot and renamed it Guanzong Lecture Temple, promoting Tiantai teachings, establishing the Guanzong Academy, and founding the Siming Buddhist College to cultivate Buddhist talent. For a time, it flourished and became one of the activity centers of the Tiantai School in modern China. After the founding of New China, the temple buildings were preserved. Existing structures include the Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, and the former site of the Guanzong Academy. Guanzong Temple is currently undergoing active restoration to serve worshippers and practitioners both domestically and internationally.

Under Master Dian Xian’s leadership, a research academy was established, and the “Monthly Journal” was published to vigorously train monastic talent. As a result, the Buddhist community flourished with eminent figures such as Tan Xu, Bao Jing, Jing Xiu, Jing Quan, Ren Shan, Gen Hui, Ding Xi, Xian Yin, Bin Zong, Jue Guang, Yong Xing, and Hui Yue. Some wrote commentaries to elucidate scriptures and promote Tiantai teachings, while others established temples across regions. Guanzong Temple thus became a hub of the Tiantai School in China. Later, Master Dian made two trips northward to spread the Dharma widely. In 1921, his disciple Bao Jing went to Hong Kong, promoting Tiantai teachings far and wide. After Master Dian’s passing in 1932, Bao Jing succeeded him, continuing his legacy by maintaining the research academy—later known as the Guanzong Academy—to uphold Tiantai teachings. In 1945, Monk Gen Hui became abbot of Guanzong Temple, inviting Master Cheng Yi as lecturer. He nurtured monastic talent with equal emphasis on teaching and practice, maintaining rigorous rituals throughout the seasons. The disciplined Dharma practice of Guanzong Temple gained renown overseas.

Due to historical reasons, Guanzong Temple once declined. After the liberation, especially since the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee, religious policies were further implemented. The main hall and Heavenly King Hall have been renovated. With the support of the municipal government, this renowned temple in Taiwan has been prepared for reopening.

Currently, only about 1,000 square meters of wooden structures remain intact, including the Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, and side rooms. The Heavenly King Hall features a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof with high walls, five bays, a total width of 22 meters, and a depth of 16 meters. The Mahavira Hall also has a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof with flying eaves, five bays, a total width of 23 meters, a depth of 21 meters, and a 50-centimeter-high platform base, with stone columns below. Newly crafted Buddha statues have been placed inside the two halls. It serves as a local religious site.

Guanzong Temple traces its lineage back to Master Zhi Yi, the founding patriarch of the Tiantai School. It originated when Master Fa Zhi, known as the “Venerable of Siming,” first established teachings and practices in Ningbo, Zhejiang. During the Song Dynasty, Master Jie Ran of Siming founded the Sixteen Contemplation Hall, laying the foundation for scholarly teachings, though development was hindered by social upheavals. It wasn’t until the early Republic of China that Master Dian Xian, the 43rd patriarch of the Tiantai School, vowed to restore the ancestral temple and renamed it “Guanzong Lecture Temple.” He established the Precept Academy, Research Academy, and Meditation Academy, reviving the teachings of Siming and producing generations of talent. Many abbots from temples across China and abroad came from Guanzong. Among them, Master Bao Jing stood out. Though he resided at many sites, his strongest karmic ties were in Hong Kong. Thus, in 1936, he built “Jing Lu” (Tranquil Retreat) in Fanling as a place for retreat. Later, due to war, the temple suffered damage, and Master Bao Jing passed away in Shanghai’s Jade Buddha Temple in 1940. After the liberation of Hong Kong, Master Jue Guang, the 46th generation holder of Tiantai teachings, was deeply troubled by the dilapidated state of the ancestral temple. Determined to revive it, he fundraised for reconstruction and renamed “Jing Lu” to “Bao Gong Sheng Xi Memorial Hall.” By 1978, conditions matured, and the memorial hall was expanded into Guanzong Temple, restoring the traditions of the Siming teaching lineage in Hong Kong and commemorating Master Bao Jing’s contributions.

Scenic Spot Location

Lingqiao Road, Haishu District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province