Former Site of Haichao Temple

Former Site of Haichao Temple

The former site of Haichao Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Hangzhou City.

During the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty, the eminent Hangzhou monk Master Lianchi, in order to promote Buddhism and benefit all sentient beings, sent his disciples to build a grand temple beside the dike outside the Caqiao Gate of the ancient city. The temple housed the Hall of Heavenly Kings, Bell and Drum Towers, the Mahavira Hall, scripture study rooms, and numerous guest quarters for devotees, as well as a large bell. Because it was located near the mouth of the Qiantang River, where one could hear the morning tides and evening ebb, it came to be named Haichao Temple.

During the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty, Haichao Temple underwent a large-scale expansion, boasting over 300 halls, monks’ quarters, and guest buildings. It was ranked among the “Four Great Monasteries” of Hangzhou, alongside Lingyin Temple, Jing Temple, and Zhaoqing Temple. In the autumn of 1944, Haichao Temple was struck by lightning and caught fire, resulting in the destruction of the Mahavira Hall, scripture depository, and many other structures, leaving only the Hall of Heavenly Kings and some of the scripture halls and monks’ quarters. During the Great Leap Forward period, the Hangzhou Rubber Factory was built on the site and later developed into today’s Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co., Ltd. In early 2012, the Hangzhou Urban Planning Bureau proposed to rebuild Haichao Temple on both the northern and southern banks of the Qiantang River, dividing it into the South Courtyard and North Courtyard of Haichao Temple. Together with the Taishan Cliff Carvings, they would form a “0-Line” landscape belt. Yang Mei wrote a poem titled "Haichao Temple":

The surging sea tide cools the Qiantang waters,

Amid misty rain and river-mountain hues, long echoes stay;

Master Lianchi preached with iron bells hung high,

Advocating both Zen and Pure Land, firm in precepts’ tie.

The ancient temple thrived with incense strong,

Disciples famed, Huayan’s light shone long;