Shouliang Ancient Temple

Shouliang Ancient Temple

Shouliang Ancient Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Shouliang Ancient Temple, with a history of over 1,500 years, is a well-known temple in Ganzhou city and enjoys great fame in southern Jiangxi and the entire Jiangxi province. It was first built during the Later Liang Dynasty of the Five Dynasties period (907–923), donated by the then-local official and defender commander of Baisheng Army, Lu Guangchou, as a gesture of gratitude to Master Daocheng for curing his illness. The temple was initially named “Lu Xing Yanshou,” later changed to “Shengshou,” and during the Song Xiangfu era, it was renamed to its current name. Located on the south side of the eastern section of Zhongshan Road in the city, there is a local saying: “Shouliang Temple came before Ganzhou City,” which shows the temple’s long-standing prominence in the area. Despite enduring many trials, the temple’s incense offerings have never ceased.

At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, the temple was destroyed in war. During the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1398), the monk Rong’an rebuilt it. The eminent scholar and editor-in-chief of the Yongle Encyclopedia, Grand Secretary Xie Jin, wrote the Brief Record of the Reconstruction of Shouliang Temple and inscribed the Inscription for the Revival of Shouliang Temple.

During the Shunzhi era of the Qing Dynasty (1644–1661), Hu Yousheng, the commander-in-chief of Nan’an, renovated the temple.

In 1913, due to severe flooding in Ganzhou, the dilapidated halls were submerged, “turning the once solemn Buddhist temple into ruins, with only the six-foot-tall iron Guanyin statue remaining unharmed.” As a result, the abbot of Ganzhou Guangxiao Temple, Master Dachun, was invited to also preside over Shouliang Temple.

In the fourth year of the Republic of China (1915), Ganzhou suffered from severe floods. The halls of Shouliang Temple were inundated, but the iron Guanyin statue in the Yuantong Treasure Hall survived. The temple fell into disrepair for a time, and incense offerings dwindled.

In 1932, as part of Ganzhou’s urban planning, there were plans to demolish the temple and convert the site into streets. When Monk Chifang learned of this, he rushed to report it in Nanjing and Suzhou, appealing for help. He invited the renowned monk Master Desen from Suzhou to serve as “honorary abbot” and asked Master Yin Guang to write to the authorities. Out of compassion, Master Yin Guang personally wrote the Origin of the Reconstruction of Shouliang Temple in Ganzhou, which led to the temple’s preservation and the restoration of the Yuantong Treasure Hall.

After the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the national policy of religious freedom allowed the incense offerings at Shouliang Temple to continue.

In 1957, the Guanyin statue in the Yuantong Treasure Hall was listed among the first batch of provincial-level cultural relics protection units in Jiangxi Province.

In 1966, during the Cultural Revolution, monks were driven away, the temple was destroyed, and the iron Guanyin statue was also lost.

In 1990, after the implementation of religious policies, Zhu Siqing, then vice president of the Ganzhou Buddhist Association, led devotees in rebuilding the temple. At that time, the site covered less than 1,000 square meters, with only a Yuantong Treasure Hall, a small Pilu Pavilion (housing a thousand-armed Guanyin on the upper floor), and several monk (and guest) rooms. A three-story building (three bungalows) was constructed as the so-called Buddhist Association office, and in front, there was a liberation pond enclosed by a small round gate (Little Monastery Garden).

In 1996, the temple held a consecration ceremony for all Buddha statues and appointed Master Ruiyin, then office director of Fujian Buddhist College (also academic affairs director and abbot of Guanghua Temple in Putian—one of the Four Great Dharma Masters), as the abbot. Venerable Master Yicheng, then vice president of the Buddhist Association of China, personally presided over the ceremony.

In the spring of 1996, Su HuiGuo, then secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, visited Shouliang Temple.

In 1996, the temple hosted a “Pumen Buddhist Studies Training Class” for the southern Jiangxi region.

In 1997, a major fire broke out east of Shouliang Temple, causing losses of over one million yuan. With strong support from the local government, 325 square meters of land were allocated to the temple. After two years of effort, the Heavenly King Hall and monk dormitories, among other facilities, were built.

On the seventh day of the second lunar month in 1997, Vice President Zhu Siqing passed away.

In the spring of 1997, Abbot Ruiyin officially returned from Fujian to take charge of temple affairs.

In August 1998, construction began on the Heavenly King Hall.

On December 19, 1999, the completion ceremony of the Heavenly King Hall was held.

In 2000, the temple was honored as one of the province’s “Five-Star Religious Activity Venues,” with Abbot Ruiyin representing the fifteen recognized venues to speak at the award ceremony.

From 2002 to 2003, an additional 1,700 square meters of land were acquired.

On the fifteenth day of the tenth lunar month in 2004, the consecration of the statues in the Heavenly King Hall and the groundbreaking ceremony for the Mahavira Hall were held. Venerable Master Yicheng, president of the Buddhist Association of China, sent a congratulatory letter.

On August 26, 2005, construction began on monk dormitories, dining hall, kitchen, and chanting hall.

On December 19, 2005, the Mahavira Hall was completed.

On November 1, 2006, the chanting hall was completed.

In January 2007, Abbot Ruiyin of the temple was awarded the “China Charity Outstanding Contribution Award” and was also named “Loving Heart China – Second China Charity Figure,” receiving the award at the Great Hall of the People.

In 2007, the temple was listed as a provincial-level key religious activity venue.

In 2008, it was rated as a "Harmonious Temple" in the province.

On April 13, 2009, the consecration ceremony of the full array of Buddha statues in the Mahavira Hall was held. This celebration was unprecedented in scale. It was of high prestige, with a congratulatory telegram sent by the Buddhist Association of China. Among the attending leaders were Zhong Qihuang, former Chairman of the Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Deputy Director of the Study and History Committee of the National Committee of the CPPCC. The event also had significant influence. In addition to eminent monks from the province, participants included those from Indonesia, the United States, Australia, Hong Kong, Jiangsu, Hubei, Fujian, Guangdong, and Anhui.

In August 2009, the sacred statues in the Yuantong Hall were regilded and a consecration ceremony was held.

On January 5, 2010, the abbot of the temple, Venerable Master Ruiyin, was elected Vice President of the Buddhist Association of Jiangxi Province, in charge of charitable affairs.

In 2010, the municipal government planned to allocate a piece of land south of the temple to Shouliang Temple.

The construction of Shouliang Temple has received great care from Venerable Master Yicheng, President of the Buddhist Association of China. Since he assumed the presidency, he has visited the temple twice and inscribed plaques such as “Shouliang Temple,” “Mahavira Hall,” and “Chanting Hall.”

Now, the geographical orientation of Shouliang Temple has changed significantly from its traditional location. Originally, the temple halls faced south, with the mountain gate located on the main road section. Due to urban development, the current temple hall now faces southwest. Although it may not match the grandeur of its historical layout, it still presents a very harmonious appearance. In front of the temple are the Songcheng Park, ancient city walls, and the Gongjiang River, together with Zaor Lane, Jianchun Gate, and even Bajing Park forming an ancient architectural complex. From the front gate, the scenery is pleasant, the environment is beautiful, and visitors feel their minds broadened, their compassion increased, their wisdom enhanced, and their worries instantly calmed. Monks, nuns, and devotees who come here also feel filled with Dharma joy.

Now, Shouliang Temple covers an area of 3,000 square meters. If it can be further expanded, Shouliang Temple will surely become an important window for Buddhist exchanges in southern Jiangxi and a vital bridge between the Party, the government, and religious believers. Currently, Shouliang Temple has become the central temple of Buddhism in southern Jiangxi and the southern gateway of Buddhism in Jiangxi. It can not only promote the development of Buddhism in southern Jiangxi and even the whole province but also contribute to local economic development. It also holds positive significance for maintaining social stability.