Rui Lin Nunnery

Rui Lin Nunnery

Rui Lin Nunnery was not originally a nunnery but was built on the site of the “River-Controlling Temple.” At one time, the temple was unoccupied. During the Chongzhen reign of the Ming Dynasty, several Buddhist nuns came begging here and, finding the temple vacant and situated in the countryside — a rare place of tranquility — they took up residence and turned the temple into a nunnery. Later, an object resembling a qilin (a mythical Chinese unicorn) appeared above the nunnery, which people of the time regarded as an auspicious omen, and thus it came to be called “Rui Lin Nunnery.”

According to the genealogical records of the Luo family, the Luo clan migrated to Hongxiang at the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty to escape turmoil. Later, when the family became relatively well-off, they established a family ancestral temple during the Xuande reign of the Ming Dynasty (1426–1436), covering an area of about 30 acres. The temple was subsequently renovated five times — in the 11th year of the Shunzhi reign (1654), the 4th year of the Daoguang reign (1824), the 5th year of the Xianfeng reign (1885), in 1996, and in 2008. Of these, stone stelae from the 11th year of Shunzhi, the 4th year of Daoguang, and the 5th year of Xianfeng remain, and are currently preserved within the nunnery.

In December 2003, the People’s Government of Si County designated Rui Lin Nunnery as a County-Level Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

In 2008, Rui Lin Nunnery was rebuilt with a government investment of 100,000 yuan from the People’s Government of Si County and funds raised by local villagers.

In December 2010, the People’s Government of Si County again listed Rui Lin Nunnery as a County-Level Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Luomiao Village: Luomiao Village is located in the far northwest of Shantou Town, adjacent to Suining County of Jiangsu Province. It enjoys a superior geographical location, convenient transportation, and a thriving commercial environment. The village administers 13 natural villages: Houhu, Qianhu, Xiaoke, Luomiao, Dahu, Liurang, Xiaoxia, Beidong, Beixi, Xiaoli, Xiaoduan, Xiaocui, and Xiaoshi. It has 32 villager groups, covers an area of 7.35 square kilometers, has a population of 6,225, 1,339 households, 8,974.8 mu of arable land, 125 Party members, and over 40 mobile Party members. The main industries are wheat and soybean farming, with some watermelon cultivation.

… Luomiao Village detailed information++