Luoyuan Longhua Temple

Luoyuan Longhua Temple

Luoyuan Longhua Temple is a cultural heritage site protected by Luoyuan County.

Longhua Temple is located at the foot of Xianmao Mountain, the highest peak in Luoyuan County, behind Hangshan Village in Qibu Town. It is a complete quadrangle complex.

The main hall faces south and has five bays with a single-eave hanging gable roof; there are two auxiliary rooms on the left and one small lean-to room on the right. On the steps of the main hall, there is engraved text reading: “In the third year of ××, in November, the abbot Mingshan respectfully inscribed this. × Nanchang County, Mr. Li Tianmin from Wang×, together with his son, joyfully donated silver ×× to newly construct a complete Ming Hall, praying for the prosperity of descendants.”

The left wing (academy) is a two-story, three-bay pavilion built in the 36th year of the Republic of China (1947). The central hall on the ground floor features a round door with a plaque inscribed “Guest Hall”; the second floor has an overhanging corridor; the roof is covered with small grey tiles in a four-slope design. The right wing has two bays, is single-story with a double-slope roof, and was likely built in 1989. The front wall and gate pavilion were also constructed in 1989.

In front of the old hall is the newly built Mahavira Hall, which has five bays with a surrounding corridor, a double-eave hip-and-gable roof, and a roof covered with grey tubular tiles. On both sides are two-story monk quarters.

The temple was first built in the second year of the Changxing era of the Later Tang Dynasty (931 AD) by the monk Zhenweng, but was later abandoned. During the Yuan Dynasty, Chen Yuanlang, a villager from Hangshan, donated funds for its reconstruction. The temple later fell into disrepair. During the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty (1628–1644), Chen Shangce and the monk Rubin reconstructed it again.

In the 36th year of the Republic of China (1947), Chen Zuoshu, a villager, along with the abbot Yizhao, raised funds to build the academy (i.e., the wing rooms) on the east side. On the eve of the founding of New China, the temple served as a contact point for the underground Communist Party.

In 1989, the temple was renovated with government funding and donations from devotees. A new mountain gate was built, and Buddhist statues were recast.

In November 2008, Longhua Temple invited Venerable Xiude to serve as abbot. A new temple complex was planned in front of the original site, and construction of the new Mahavira Hall began. In 2010, the construction of the dining halls and monk quarters on both sides commenced. On November 20, 2011 (the 25th day of the 10th lunar month), the new buildings were completed and consecrated, and the foundation of the Guanyin Hall was laid. After the completion of the new Mahavira Hall, the original structures were referred to as the “Old Hall.”

Longhua Temple is now a county-level cultural heritage protection site.

Hangshan Village: Hangshan Village is a medium-sized administrative village under Qibu Town, Luoyuan County, Fuzhou City. It is located in the northern part of Luoyuan County, at the foot of the beautiful and picturesque Xianmao Mountain, which rises over 800 meters above sea level. To the east it borders Guilin Village, to the west Xishan Village, to the south the seat of Qibu Town, and to the north Lan Kou Village in Ningde County, which is more than ten kilometers away via an uphill path. The other three directions are accessible via flat roads of only 1–2 kilometers. The village is just five kilometers from the county seat, making transportation quite convenient. It lies approximately 10–11 meters above sea level near the mountain. The village has three administrative areas, with a total of 236 households and a population of 1,382. The village covers an area of over 700 mu of farmland, over 300 mu of orchards, and additional mountainous land… More details about Hangshan Village ++