Yong'an Baoying Temple

Yong'an Baoying Temple

Yong'an Baoying Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Baoying Temple is located at the entrance of Jishan Village, backed by Beiling Mountain to the east and facing Wen Chuan Creek. Originally built in the fourth year of the Jingyou era during the Northern Song Dynasty (1037 AD), it has a history of over 900 years. The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times throughout wars and turmoil.

In March 1984, Venerable Shi Jilǐ and lay devotee Liu Mingru raised funds to build residences and engage in spiritual practice on the original site, naming it "Baoying Hermitage." In early 1985, they raised additional funds to gradually expand the site with the construction of the Mahavira Hall, Guanyin Hall, Kṣitigarbha Hall, Heavenly King Hall, Sangharama Hall, Patriarch Hall, Thousand-Armed Guanyin Hall, and Haihui Pagoda. The current building area exceeds 2,000 square meters, covering nearly 5,000 square meters in total. It was renamed "Baoying Temple" that year. On December 24, 1987, Baoying Temple was officially approved for opening by Document No. 2 (1988) issued by the Sanming Municipal Committee.

The temple achieved remarkable results in establishing a civilized place of worship, being awarded the title of "Civilized Temple" for two consecutive years from 1990 to 1992 by the Yong’an Buddhist Association, and in 1994, it was honored with the title of "Civilized Temple" by the Sanming Municipal Religious Affairs Bureau. In 2005, it was recognized as a "Five-Star Religious Activity Site" by Yong’an City. The current abbot, Venerable Shi Jilian (graduated from Fujian Buddhist College), leads the temple.

Baoying Temple is a key temple in Yong’an City. It promotes civilized incense offering—discouraging the burning of joss paper and setting off firecrackers—to maintain the cleanliness of the temple and eliminate safety hazards. The number of worshippers has been increasing annually, and the temple currently houses around 10 long-term residents. It has educational capabilities, upholds the social role of monks in guiding people spiritually, actively participates in charitable activities, and collaborates in scenic area development. A bamboo forest is planted in front of the temple, and within it stands a vegetarian restaurant featuring wooden sculptures of the Five Hundred Arhats. On the eastern side of the temple, on Zhongshan (Bell Mountain), there are twelve stone zodiac statues (four above and eight below), exquisitely carved and lifelike, demonstrating exceptional craftsmanship.

The temple faces south (oriented toward the Zi Mountain–Wu direction, with a sub-direction of Ren–Bing and Bing–Zi–Bing–Wu, sitting at 3 degrees of the Weiyu constellation and facing 5 degrees of the Zhang constellation. According to the sand method, the three auspicious and six excellent directions are defined with the Greedy Wolf, Great Gate, and Martial Star as the three auspicious ones; the Break Army, Salary Store, Literary Star, and Integrity Star as the four inauspicious ones. Capturing one or two of the three auspicious or six excellent peaks nearby, especially those close to the temple, is considered highly auspicious.

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Upon entering the gate, the first thing that caught this author’s eye were two majestic standing stone statues of Vajra warriors. In front of the hall, four coiling dragons are sculpted around four round pillars, vivid and lifelike. The sides of the hall doors feature exquisitely elegant window carvings that are truly breathtaking. Stepping into the Heavenly King Hall, you are greeted by a smiling Maitreya Buddha with an exposed chest. The couplet on the pillars reads: “With a big belly that embraces all, it resolves countless worldly affairs; with a joyful smile, it forgets all sorrows of past and present.” Behind the Maitreya Buddha statue is the statue of Skanda (Weituo). The couplet here reads: “Commissioned by the Tathagata to protect the true Dharma; appearing in the form of a general to dispel false views.” To the left rear of the Heavenly King Hall is the Buddhist Affinity Pavilion, a distribution area, and to the right rear is the Guest Hall. On both sides are single-story buildings. The left one is the Patriarch Hall, and the right one is the Sangharama Hall. Passing through the Heavenly King Hall, you will reach the Mahavira Hall. The couplets on its sides read: (1) “Among the Ten Dharma Realms, one Buddha-heart leads to the perfect enlightenment; before the Three Jewels Hall, the bell’s echo attests to Bodhi.” (2) “Upon entering here, you must not be upside down; once through this gate, don’t mind those five eyes and six spiritual powers.” Inside the hall are the Three Saints of Buddhism (in the center is Sakyamuni Buddha, with disciples Ananda and Kasyapa standing on either side, Amitabha Buddha on the left, and Bhaisajyaguru (Medicine Buddha) on the right), with Samantabhadra Bodhisattva at the left rear, Manjushri Bodhisattva at the right rear, and the Eighteen Arhats on both sides. The side rooms of the hall include the Kṣitigarbha Hall on the left, with the kitchen and dining hall to its left. On the right is the Guanyin Hall. Behind the main hall is a courtyard planted with ironwood trees, green bamboo, and various flowers. To the left is the Drum Tower, and to the right is the Bell Tower.

At the back of the main hall is the Thousand-Armed Guanyin Hall, which enshrines a seated Thousand-Armed Guanyin Bodhisattva with five heads and eleven faces, standing 3.6 meters tall and 1 meter in diameter. The golden, resplendent Thousand-Armed Guanyin was crafted by a folk sculptor. Above the hall door is a horizontal plaque inscribed with: “Dharma Rain and Compassionate Ferry.” The inner pillar couplet reads: “The ancient Buddha has never been a woman; the Compassionate Ferry is always full of maternal kindness.” The outer pillar couplets are: (1) “Illuminating the Dharma realm, protecting all beings, the samadhi of universal penetration brings complete freedom; manifesting the Universal Gate, dividing into countless forms across realms, responding to all needs without obstruction.” (2) “From the South Sea, the Compassionate Ferry ferries all beings beyond the sea of suffering; from the Western Paradise, the Radiant Wisdom Light shines upon all people, sheltering the heavens.”

This temple is located in the Yong’an Beiling Scenic Area, which was also the site of Fujian Province’s provincial capital during the Anti-Japanese War. It enjoys convenient transportation, with Bus No. 12 going directly to the mountain gate. The site attracts numerous visitors and pilgrims, especially on the 19th day of the second lunar month—the birthday of Guanyin Bodhisattva—when the temple is bustling with devout worshippers. Baoying Temple is nestled against mountains and beside water, boasting pleasant scenery. The natural landscape, Buddhist culture, and local folk customs complement each other, making it another highlight in Yong’an’s tourism development and attracting more visitors to explore the area.