Xingguo Dasheng Temple

Xingguo Dasheng Temple

Xingguo Dasheng Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Xingguo County’s Dasheng Temple

Dasheng Chan Temple is situated in Xingguo County, by the Xishui River, on the east side of Binjiang Avenue. It lies one kilometer south of the Xingguo Jiangjun Bridge on National Highway 319 and 200 meters north of the Hongjun Bridge, about four kilometers from Xingguo Railway Station. The temple enjoys convenient transportation with direct vehicle access.

Dasheng Temple, originally named Dacheng Temple, was located behind the county government office (the county yamen) at the east gate of the county town. It was built in the second year of the Wude era of the Tang Dynasty (619 AD). Initially called Wannian Temple, it was bestowed the name “Dacheng Temple” by imperial decree in the eighth year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty (1348 AD). The site once featured historic structures such as the Flying Hall, stone Buddha, and bronze bell. Nearby were the Donglin and Xizhu meditation halls. In the mid-Ming Dynasty, the site was used to build a Confucian school, which was later relocated, but the temple remained. In the third year of the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty (1738 AD), Magistrate Xu Dakun moved the City God Temple into the Dacheng Temple grounds, keeping Xizhu at the right side of the temple and relocating Donglin to the left. In the thirteenth year of the Jiaqing era (1808 AD), the temple was renovated and divided into inner and outer sections. Dacheng Temple has a long history and widespread fame, along with the legendary tale of its bronze bell flying away and returning. According to the 1988 edition of the Xingguo County Annals, the Dacheng Temple within the east gate of the county town housed a giant Tang Dynasty–cast bell. In the early Shaoxing era of the Song Dynasty (1131 AD), the bell suddenly disappeared and was sold to Tianbao Temple in Ganzhou. The monks there struck it, but it produced no sound. Later, monks from Dacheng Temple tracked the bell to Tianbao Temple and requested its return. The Tianbao monks refused, saying, “If it truly belongs to your temple, let it ring when struck.” When the Dacheng monks struck it, the bell rang immediately, and they reclaimed it. In February 1936, during the Republic of China era, the Xingguo County Buddhist Management and Supervisory Board was established at Dacheng Temple. The temple was demolished in the 1950s after the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

With the implementation of the national religious policy, and upon approval and invitation by the relevant government religious authorities, Venerable Chuanchang, the abbot of Nanhua Temple in Shaoguan, Guangdong Province, initiated the reconstruction of the temple. To support the rebuilding of Dacheng Temple, the Xingguo County Party Committee and County Government allocated 90 acres of land. In the winter of 2001, then-County Magistrate Liu Jianping personally renamed “Dacheng Temple” to “Dasheng Temple.”

The reconstruction of Dasheng Temple began planning in May 2001, and the foundation-laying ceremony for the Mahavira Hall was held on January 8, 2002, officially launching the construction of the temple complex. After four years of intensive work, by the end of 2005, the main halls had been completed and the temple had taken initial shape. The mountain gate of Dasheng Temple is a Qing-style ancient structure, standing 11 meters high and 20 meters wide, featuring four pillars, three gates, and seven stories—majestic and spectacular. The mountain gate is directly connected to Binjiang East Avenue. Entering the gate leads to a parking lot measuring 198 meters long and 37 meters wide. Passing through the parking area, visitors reach the second mountain gate and are greeted by a flat stone-rail bridge, beneath and beside which lie three differently designed liberation ponds. Spanning 118 meters and covering an area of 1,800 square meters, the ponds feature two four-corner pavilions. Beyond the bridge lies the Heavenly King Hall, along the central axis of which are aligned the Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, and Reclining Buddha Hall (Scripture Repository)—three major halls. On the north and south sides are additional halls and monastic quarters. The southern side, 148.8 meters in length, includes in sequence the Bell Tower, Sangharama Hall, Life Extension Hall, Kṣitigarbha Hall, and Manjushri Hall. The northern side, also 148.8 meters long, features the Drum Tower, Patriarch Hall, Merit Hall, Guanyin Hall, and Samantabhadra Hall. The entire temple complex is neatly arranged in a square layout with surrounding corridors, exhibiting an orderly design and exquisite structure. The architectural style follows that of Tang Dynasty temples, with intricately carved caisson ceilings, moon beams, brackets, doors, and windows, all gilded and painted with exquisite patterns and artistic finesse, exuding an antique charm. Modern building materials have also been incorporated, blending ancient and contemporary styles. The beams and columns in the halls use reinforced concrete structures, while the inner window layers consist of stainless steel security mesh and aluminum alloy glass doors, with granite or moisture-proof brick flooring. Over 100 monastic rooms are equipped with bathrooms and water heaters. The open space in front of and behind the main halls spans 3,129 square meters and is paved with granite slabs, featuring 820 square meters of flower beds, creating a pleasant ambiance. The southern side houses a 204-square-meter dining hall that can accommodate over 200 people, with complete kitchen and bathroom facilities. The entire temple complex forms a grand and magnificent architectural ensemble.

The Maitreya Buddha and Skanda Bodhisattva inside the Heavenly King Hall are made of copper and gilded; the Four Heavenly Kings stand 3.3 meters tall and appear majestic and solemn. The Mahavira Hall enshrines the Three Jewels Buddhas (Shakyamuni Buddha, Bhaisajyaguru Buddha, and Amitabha Buddha), each 4.5 meters tall and weighing over two tons. Standing before the Buddhas are the disciples Kaśyapa and Ānanda, both cast in copper and gilded. Flanking them are the Five Hundred Arhats, each with unique and lifelike expressions. Behind the Three Jewels Buddhas is a sea-island Guanyin statue dominating the center, with the disciples Sudhana and Dragon Girl standing by her side. The Shakyamuni Buddha statue in the Reclining Buddha Hall is carved from Burmese jade, measuring 6.8 meters in length and weighing 19.8 tons—it is the temple’s treasured relic. The Manjushri and Samantabhadra statues in their respective halls are also finely crafted from Burmese jade. The Guanyin Bodhisattva and the Western Trinity statues are cast in copper. All the Buddha and bodhisattva statues exhibit serene expressions and dignified forms.

On November 5, 2003, Dasheng Temple held a celebration for the completion of the Mahavira Hall and the consecration of the Buddha statues. Over ten thousand people attended, including dignitaries and Buddhist devotees from Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, Fujian, Shanghai, Jiangxi, and other provinces and cities. Two subsequent Water and Land Dharma Assemblies for the benefit of both the living and the deceased were also conducted. On May 15, 2005 (lunar April 8, Year of the Rooster), a “Respect for the Elderly” grand vegetarian feast, also known as the “Banquet of a Thousand Elders,” was held to honor senior citizens. A centenarian was honored with a red sash and flowers. The event attracted over 1,600 participants, nearly a thousand of whom were aged 70 or above.

The restoration and reconstruction project of Dasheng Temple, thanks to the care and support of leaders at all levels, as well as generous contributions from eminent monks, devout patrons, Dharma protectors, and people from all walks of life, was completed in just four years to such a grand and fully equipped scale. It has now become another highlight of Xingguo County. However, this massive project is still ongoing, with plans to build additional structures such as the Jade Buddha Hall, Trinity Hall, Dharma Hall, Chanting Hall, Buddhist Garden, Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda, Guanyin Pavilion, Abbot’s Quarters, Monks’ Lodging, Guest Lodging, Buddhist Activity Center, and Elderly Activity Center, along with necessary greening and beautification facilities. Upon completion, Dasheng Temple will evolve into an ecological garden-style Buddhist monastery integrating spiritual practice and compassionate service, and become a renowned tourist destination.