Sandalwood Forest Temple

Sandalwood Forest Temple

Sandalwood Forest Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Sandalwood Forest Temple, a national key Buddhist temple also known as "Sandalwood Chan Monastery," is located southwest of Jiuhua Street. Originally built during the Qing Dynasty’s Kangxi era, it was one of the seventy-two lodging quarters of Huacheng Temple. The temple still stood during the Daoguang period but was destroyed during the Xianfeng era due to warfare. In the twelfth year of the Guangxu reign (1886), Monk Dingchan raised funds to rebuild it.

Also called the Mahavira Hall. It is a Buddhist shrine expanded in 1992 by Master Huishen on the eastern side of the national key temple Sandalwood Forest. On August 6, 1993, the central beam of the Mahavira Hall was unveiled. As soon as the beam was placed, a torrential rain began — a coincidence that matched the folk saying about rain falling on the “Ten-Thousand-Year Beam,” which is considered an extremely auspicious omen.

The main hall is sixty-three Chinese feet tall, with interior length, width, and height all measuring 19 meters, corresponding to the three auspicious days of the Bodhisattva: the 19th day of the second month (birth), the 19th day of the sixth month (renunciation), and the 19th day of the ninth month (enlightenment). The hall features a unique style and is majestic in appearance. Inside, it houses a 9.19-meter-tall statue of the Thousand-Armed, Thousand-Eyed Avalokiteshvara facing four directions. Surrounding it are 84 statues of the Bodhisattva’s thirty-two manifestations and six great Zen patriarchs. In front of the hall stand the Twin Dragon Phoenix Walls of the Bodhisattva’s frequently visited stupa, exquisitely carved from white marble — a must-visit spot for pilgrims and tourists.

There is also a Dali lotus throne, with a kind and serene expression, surrounded by marble pillar railings along the corridors. Above, dragons and phoenixes are intricately carved, creating a resplendent and magnificent sight.

To the north of Sandalwood Forest Temple is the Mahavira Building. The Mahavira Building is simple yet elegant, majestic and splendid. The main hall is sixty-three Chinese feet tall, with interior length, width, and height all measuring 19 meters, corresponding to the three auspicious days of the Bodhisattva: the 19th day of the second month (birth), the 19th day of the sixth month (renunciation), and the 19th day of the ninth month (enlightenment).

At the center of the hall is a 2.89-zhang-tall statue of the Thousand-Armed, Thousand-Eyed Avalokiteshvara, surrounded by 84 full sets of Buddha statues. The Dali lotus throne has a kind and serene expression, with marble pillar railings along the corridors. Above, dragons and phoenixes are carved in brilliant gold and colors. Additional facilities include dining halls and guest rooms.

On August 6, 1993, the central beam of the Mahavira Hall was unveiled. As soon as the beam was placed, a torrential rain began — a coincidence that matched the folk saying about rain falling on the “Ten-Thousand-Year Beam,” which is considered an extremely auspicious omen.

Location: Jiuhua Mountain Scenic Area, Qingyang County, Chizhou City

Opening Hours: Monday–Sunday, 8:00–17:30

Jiuhua Mountain

Jiuzi Rock

Zhayan Temple of Jiuhua Mountain

Huacheng Temple of Jiuhua Mountain

Tiantai Temple

Long’an Temple

Changshou An

Diaqiao An

Genglitan

Chengrentang

Baishou Palace of Jiuhua Mountain

Tianzhu Peak Scenic Area of Jiuhua Mountain

Huixiang Pavilion

Little Tiantai

Tianchi An

Huatian Temple