Xiangyin Temple

Xiangyin Temple

Xiangyin Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Xiangyin Temple is located in the hinterland of West Huangshan by Chaohu Lake in Anhui Province. It was once an ancient temple that produced many eminent monks. Originally named “Baiyi Nunnery,” it was first built during the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty. In the late Ming Dynasty, the exiled official Wu Xiang (a native of Hefei) witnessed the turmoil of the times as well as the decline and fall of the Ming Dynasty. He returned to his hometown, renounced the world in indignation, and became a monk, living in seclusion at Baiyi Nunnery. Later, the Qing court invited him to come out of seclusion to help govern the country, but he declined, saying, “My resolve to become a monk is firm — I will point south and never north!” From then on, Baiyi Nunnery was renamed “Zhinan Nunnery” (Nunnery Pointing South).

Chaohu Lake has since ancient times been a gathering place for literati, scholars, and eminent monks. The famous patriotic general Zhang Zhizhong of modern times was born here. Since the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Party’s religious policies have been implemented, bringing a refreshing atmosphere across the nation and spurring the vigorous development of various endeavors. The venerable Venerable Mia’an, currently the Executive Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Buddhist Association of Anhui Province, and President of the Buddhist Association of Hefei, has as a leader of Anhui’s Buddhist community done extensive work for the revival and development of Buddhism throughout the province. Despite being nearly eighty years old, the venerable always thinks of others’ needs and acts with urgency, demonstrating patriotism and devotion to Buddhism while dedicating himself to his duties daily—truly embodying the spirit of a bodhisattva. His contributions to Buddhism in Anhui are widely recognized. However, the temple where he took monastic vows in his childhood (namely, Xiangyin Temple), he has long been too busy to restore. Whenever Venerable Mia’an returns to his hometown and gathers with fellow Buddhists and devotees in the Chaohu region, the grand vision of restoring Xiangyin Temple—to provide a serene place for practice for devotees in Chaohu, Hefei, and surrounding areas—arises in his heart. After sharing this aspiration with the devotees, he received their enthusiastic approval and support. Now, in this flourishing era, 200 acres of land at the original site have been approved for the reconstruction of Xiangyin Temple. Construction began in 1991. To raise funds for the temple, despite his advanced age and frail health, the venerable made numerous trips to Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and coastal regions to solicit donations. The venerable has vowed to develop the entire West Huangshan area around Xiangyin Temple into a comprehensive base integrating Buddhist education, Buddhist culture, and charitable causes, making due contributions to the economic development of his hometown and to the advancement of China’s socialist material and spiritual civilizations.