Cuiwei Temple

Cuiwei Temple

Cuiwei Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Guide

to

the site located at the foot of Cuiwei Peak. Introduces

that

it was first built in the third year of the Zhonghe era of the Tang Dynasty (883 AD). At that time, a monk from India (ancient India), known as the “Monk in Hemp Robe,” traveled eastward from Sichuan to Huangshan,

where he settled down and built a thatched hut. He made his own clothes from hemp, dug up bracken roots and gathered wild fruits for food, and sat cross-legged to chant scriptures. The local mountain villagers built a temple for him, named “Mahayana Dojo.” Later, in the fifth year of the Baoda era of the Southern Tang Dynasty (947 AD), Emperor Li Jing bestowed the name “Cuiwei Temple” upon it, and the temple was renamed accordingly. Near the temple are sites related to the Monk in Hemp Robe, including “Hemp Robe Cave,” “Hemp Robe Terrace,” “Monk’s Staff Spring,” and “Hemp Robe Pagoda.” Hemp Robe Cave is the stone cave where he initially lived; Hemp Robe Terrace is the stone platform where he stood to chant sutras; Monk’s Staff Spring is said to be the spring that gushed forth where he struck the ground with his staff; and Hemp Robe Pagoda is his stupa containing relics. Other historically notable monks at Cuiwei Temple include Patriarch Liangfeng, Monk Fan Kong, and Abbot Chaogang.

Since its establishment, Cuiwei Temple has been destroyed and rebuilt several times. It was reconstructed during the Qing Dynasty under the supervision of Master Xinkong. In 1985, the temple underwent a major renovation. The current Buddhist structures consist of a small courtyard, featuring a mountain gate at the front, main halls in the middle, and monks' quarters at the back. The main hall was built during the Qing Dynasty in the style of the Tang Dynasty, while the other buildings were reconstructed after the reform and opening-up period. The temple is situated in a serene and unique environment, surrounded by scenic spots such as Cuiwei Cave, Qingniu Stream, Water-Exploring Rock, and Kasaya Land. There are also 20 stupas of deceased monks, among which the oldest is the Putong Stupa, dedicated to Patriarch Yufeng. Additionally, there are 20 stone tablets from the Tang, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties, dozens of precious Buddhist scriptures, and over a thousand jade Buddha statues sourced through fundraising from Myanmar, the largest of which is a 15-ton reclining Buddha. The temple also houses two complete sets of the Tripitaka and has yielded sarira (relics of Buddhist masters).

Cuiwei Temple is also the only temple on Mount Huangshan that still has resident monks.