Hefei Kaifu Temple

Hefei Kaifu Temple

Hefei Kaifu Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Kaifu Temple, located at the southern foot of Dashushan Mountain in the western suburbs of Hefei, the capital city of Anhui Province, was where Master Huiman, a monk from Shu during the Tang Dynasty, resided and spread Buddhism. With a total construction area of 32,000 square meters, it can accommodate over a hundred resident monks and meets the needs of worshippers, pilgrims, and visitors for Buddhist ceremonies, worship, scripture lectures, and sightseeing.

Historical records indicate that Kaifu Temple was built before the Zhenguan era (626–649 AD) of the Tang Dynasty, dating back approximately 1,400 years. It is said that Master Huiman lectured extensively on the Lotus Sutra here, prayed for rain to save lives, and helped liberate the Dragon God Yuangji, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and praise through generations. The ancient Kaifu Temple was destroyed by Japanese aircraft bombings during the War of Resistance against Japan.

The Ming Dynasty poet Gong Zhiyi praised it in his poem “Visiting Dashushan”: “Ten years ago I asked about this rocky nook, Drunk and singing by the southern window.” In the late Qing Dynasty, the “Snow-Covered Dashushan” was ranked as the foremost of the Eight Scenic Spots of Luyang, and today’s “Spring Dawn at Dashushan” is also listed among the top sights of Hefei.

Venerable Mia’an, abbot of Mingjiao Temple and president of the Anhui Buddhist Association, made a grand vow to personally lead the monastic community in rebuilding Kaifu Temple within his lifetime. His vision was to establish Kaifu Temple as a first-class monastery and a pure land on earth in the Jianghuai region, to glorify the nation and bring benefit to all sentient beings.

The main structures of Kaifu Temple include the Mountain Gate, Mountain Gate Hall, Bell and Drum Towers, Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, Scripture Depository, Gratitude Pagoda, Patriarch Hall, Sangharama Hall, Arhat Hall, Chanting Hall, Dining Hall, Guanyin Hall, Ksitigarbha Hall, Huazang Hall, Dharma Hall, Monastery Storage, Abbot’s Quarters, Guest Reception Hall, Buddhist Academy, Monks’ Dormitories, Retired Monks’ Quarters, Cloud Water Building, and various other living quarters. With a total construction area of 32,000 square meters, it can accommodate over a hundred resident monks and meets the needs of worshippers, pilgrims, and visitors for Buddhist ceremonies, worship, scripture lectures, and sightseeing.

The reconstructed Kaifu Temple not only fulfills the layout requirements of a traditional Buddhist monastery but has also been developed into a garden-style temple—where the garden contains the temple and the temple embraces the garden—featuring pavilions, corridors, small bridges over flowing streams, cascading waterfalls, and serene winding paths. The overall planning and design of the new Kaifu Temple are primarily inspired by the imperial garden style of the Ming and Qing dynasties' Forbidden City, representing a classic layout of a Han Chinese Buddhist monastery. It consists of five courtyards arranged along the mountain terrain, creating a grand and expansive complex where the garden and temple intertwine. This forms a perfectly integrated architectural ensemble that blends northern and southern Chinese styles.

The main buildings are connected by covered walkways, facilitating movement between halls without exposure to wind and rain. The sides of the temple complex house living and teaching areas; the eastern side is a landscaped garden area with stacked earth and rocks, stone pathways, and quiet resting pavilions for worshippers and visitors to enjoy. Each independent courtyard within the overall layout of the temple is interconnected yet self-contained. The entire temple can accommodate over a hundred resident monks and is equipped to host large-scale Buddhist ceremonies, as well as meet the needs of worshippers, pilgrims, and visitors for prayer, worship, scripture lectures, and cultural exchange. It is also a premier destination for local citizens to visit and tour.