Dongya Temple

Dongya Temple

Dongya Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Dongya Temple is located atop the eastern peak of Jiuhua Mountain in Qingyang County, Anhui Province. Perched on a massive rock at an elevation of 871 meters, it offers panoramic views of the Yangtze River, a bird’s-eye perspective of Jiuhua Town, a upward gaze at the summit of Tiantai, and a sweeping vista of the surrounding Jiuhua landscapes—unveiling the full splendor of the Buddhist realm.

In the late years of the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty, Jin Qiaojue, the Silla prince and later known as Jin Dizang, first arrived at Jiuhua Mountain and resided in a cave on Dongya. He often meditated and practiced in solitude on the rocks near the cave. In the second year of the Zhide era of the Tang Dynasty (757), local gentry including Zhuge Jie from the foot of the mountain visited the area. When they came to Dongya and witnessed Jin Dizang's ascetic lifestyle, they were deeply moved. They resolved to build Huacheng Temple and invited Jin Dizang to move out of the cave. During the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty, a monk named Zhou Jing built a thatched hut here, and later constructed the “Yanzuo Hall” in honor of Jin Dizang. The Neo-Confucian master Wang Yangming visited this place twice to discuss Buddhist scriptures with Zhou Jing, forming a deep bond, and they exchanged poetic inscriptions. During the Wanli era, Monk Putong renamed the “Yanzuo Hall” to “Dongya Jingshe” (Dongya Hermitage), as the rocky cliff was situated east of Huacheng Temple. In the late Ming Dynasty, the Mahavira Hall and Tiansu Pavilion were expanded. In the ninth year of the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty, the abbot Dinghui renovated the Mahavira Hall and built the Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda, Dizang Hall, and meditation hall. In the early years of the Republic of China, Monk Xinzhou supervised the construction of monastic dormitories called “Zouma Tonglou,” a five-story building capable of housing hundreds of people. It served as accommodations for monks and pilgrims, establishing the site as one of the Four Great Monasteries of Jiuhua Mountain. In 1920, Abbot Xinzhen oversaw the construction of a large temple complex—Dongya Lower Monastery—on the right side of Huacheng Temple. The upper monastery focused on Buddhist ceremonies and assemblies, while the lower monastery welcomed wandering monks and visitors from all directions.

In 1933, the Dongya Upper Monastery was destroyed in a fire. As a result, the monastic community relocated to the Dongya Lower Monastery. In 1940, the lower monastery also suffered damage from warfare, leaving only the Yunshui House. In 1980, the lower monastery was rebuilt as Dongya Hotel.

Dongya Temple is surrounded by numerous historical sites and scenic spots. To the east of the rock cliff lies an ancient cave several meters deep and three meters wide. With clouds often gathering around it and the temple appearing like snow, the cave is called “Duiyun Cave” (Cloud-Piled Cave), believed to be the initial dwelling place of Jin Dizang upon his arrival at Jiuhua Mountain. To the east of the cave lies the Dongyan rock—a massive, square-shaped stone where Jin Dizang often recited scriptures, enjoyed the scenery, and meditated in solitude. Hence, it is named “Yanzuo Yan” (Meditation Rock).

On the western and southern sides of the rock cliff are cliff inscriptions. The “Feishen Chu” (Place of Ascension) on the southern side is said to be where Jin Dizang entered and exited Dongya. On the western side, the inscriptions “Yunshen Chu” (Deep in the Clouds), “Yunfang” (Cloud Boat), and “Zeng Zhoujing Heshang Ji” (Verse Presented to Monk Zhou Jing) are handwritten by Wang Yangming. When clouds gather, the rock resembles a giant boat from afar, hence earning the name “Yunfang.” “Dongya Yunfang” is one of the Ten Scenic Spots of Jiuhua Mountain. Northwest of Dongya, there is a spring. Legend has it that when Dizang was living in the cave, he was bitten by venomous insects. A woman appeared and said, “A child’s ignorance caused harm—I wish to offer a spring to atone.” She pointed to a stone to the northwest, blinked, and then vanished. When Jin Dizang uncovered the stone, he found a spring with clear, sweet water. He washed his wound with it and was instantly healed. It was later known that the woman was a dragon maiden, and thus the spring was named “Longnu Quan” (Dragon Maiden Spring).

In 1995, the Dongya Upper Monastery was rebuilt under the leadership of Monk Guoci. The current Buddhist structures mainly include the Mahavira Hall, Guanyin Hall, and monastic living quarters. The temple continues to expand.

The current abbot of Dongya Temple, Venerable Guoci, is 32 years old, from Jiangxi Province. He became a monk in 1991 and studied under Master Huixin.

On the western and southern sides of the rock cliff are cliff inscriptions. The “Feishen Chu” (Place of Ascension) on the southern side is said to be where Jin Dizang entered and exited Dongya. On the western side, the inscriptions “Yunshen Chu” (Deep in the Clouds), “Yunfang” (Cloud Boat), and “Zeng Zhoujing Heshang Ji” (Verse Presented to Monk Zhou Jing) are handwritten by Wang Yangming. When clouds gather, the rock resembles a giant boat from afar, hence earning the name “Yunfang.” “Dongya Yunfang” is one of the Ten Scenic Spots of Jiuhua Mountain. Northwest of Dongya, there is a spring. Legend has it that when Dizang was living in the cave, he was bitten by venomous insects. A woman appeared and said, “A child’s ignorance caused harm—I wish to offer a spring to atone.” She pointed to a stone to the northwest, blinked, and then vanished. When Jin Dizang uncovered the stone, he found a spring with clear, sweet water. He washed his wound with it and was instantly healed. It was later known that the woman was a dragon maiden, and thus the spring was named “Longnu Quan” (Dragon Maiden Spring). There is a clear spring in the northwest valley of Dongyan called “Longnu Quan.” It is said that when Monk Dizang first set up his thatched hut, he searched for a place to settle and grew very thirsty. A girl told him the location of the spring. When Dizang moved the stone, he discovered the spring. This is the origin of the story “The Dragon Maiden Offers the Spring.” Beside the Dongyan Yunfang stands the Dongya Bell Tower. Ahead lie Dongya Temple and Guanyin Nunnery among other sights. Further along leads to Bai sui Gong (Hundred-Year Palace) and the newly built Five Hundred Arhats Hall.

Dongya Yunfang is located on the ridge top of Dongya, where a massive, square-shaped rock resembles a boat, hence earning the name “Dongya Yunfang” (Dongya Cloud Boat). During the Ming Dynasty, a temple was built on the ridge. In the Wanli era, it was named “Dongya Jingshe” (Dongya Hermitage). In the early years of the Republic of China, a five-story Zouma Tonglou was constructed to accommodate monks and pilgrims, making it a public monastery. In January 1934, it was destroyed by fire. The current temple was rebuilt by Abbot Guoci from 1995 to 1996 on the original site. It faces south and features a residential architectural style, with the Mahavira Hall and Dizang Hall inside. To the south of the halls, a cliff is spanned by the “Feihong Bridge,” which includes a hexagonal pavilion. The bridge connects the main hall to the cliff, turning a “natural chasm into a thoroughfare.” Dongya Temple is exquisitely designed, refreshingly styled, and majestically situated atop the peak, radiating grandeur.