Dasheng Chan Temple

Dasheng Chan Temple

Dasheng Chan Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Dasheng Chan Temple is located 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 Red Army Bridge, four kilometers from Xingguo Railway Station. The transportation is convenient, with vehicles able to drive directly to the temple.

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 Feilai Hall, stone Buddha, and bronze bell. Nearby were the two temples Donglin and Xizhu. 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 Chenghuang Temple into the Dacheng Temple compound, while Xizhu Temple remained at the old site and Donglin Temple was moved to the left of the main hall. In the thirteenth year of the Jiaqing era (1808 AD), the temple was renovated and divided into an inner and outer temple (as recorded in the Xingguo County Annals, Tongzhi Edition, 11th year). Dacheng Temple has a long history and widespread fame. It is also known for the legendary tale of a bronze bell that flew away and then returned. According to the 1988 edition of the Xingguo County Annals: the Dacheng Temple inside the east gate of the county town housed a giant bell cast in the Tang Dynasty. In the early Shaoxing era of the Song Dynasty (1131 AD), the bell suddenly disappeared and was sold to Tiantao Temple in Ganzhou. The monks there struck it, but it produced no sound. Later, monks from Dacheng Temple tracked the bell to Tiantao Temple and requested its return. The Tiantao 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, so they redeemed it and brought it back. In February 1936, the Xingguo County Buddhist Management and Supervisory Board was established, with its office at Dacheng Temple. In the 1950s after the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the temple was demolished.

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 are majestic and solemn. The Mahavira Hall enshrines the Three Jewels Buddhas (Shakyamuni Buddha, Bhaisajyaguru Buddha, and Amitabha Buddha), each standing 4.5 meters tall and weighing over two tons. In front of the Buddhas stand the disciples Kasyapa and Ananda, also made of copper and gilded. On both sides are the Five Hundred Arhats, each with unique and lifelike expressions. Behind the Three Jewels Buddhas is a statue of Guanyin presiding over the Sea Island, standing alone at the head of the dragon; beside her are the disciples Sudhana and Dragon Girl. The Reclining Buddha in the Reclining Buddha Hall is carved from Burmese jade, measuring 6.8 meters in length and weighing 19.8 tons, making it the temple’s treasured relic. The statues of Manjushri and Samantabhadra in their respective halls are also exquisitely carved from Burmese jade. The statues of Guanyin and the Western Trinity are made of copper. All Buddha and Bodhisattva statues are serene in demeanor and dignified in appearance.

On November 5, 2003, Dasheng Temple held a grand ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Mahavira Hall and the consecration of the Buddha statues. Over ten thousand people attended this grand event, including attendees and Buddhist devotees from Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, Fujian, Shanghai, Jiangxi, and other provinces and cities. Following this, two grand Water and Land Dharma Assemblies for the benefit of both the living and the deceased were held. On May 15, 2005 (the eighth day of the fourth lunar month in the Year of the Rooster), a “Respect for the Elderly” Grand Dharma Assembly, also known as the “Banquet for a Thousand Elders,” was held to honor senior citizens. Centenarians were adorned with red sashes and flowers. The event attracted over 1,600 participants, nearly a thousand of whom were aged 70 or older.

Thanks to the care and support of leaders at all levels, as well as generous contributions from eminent monks, devout patrons, donors, and people from all walks of life, the restoration and reconstruction project of Dasheng Temple was completed in just four years, resulting in such a grand and fully equipped scale. It has now become another highlight in Xingguo County. However, this massive project is still under construction. Future plans include the construction of the Jade Buddha Hall, Three Saints Hall, Dharma Hall, Chanting Hall, Buddhist Garden, Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda, Guanyin Pavilion, Abbot’s Quarters, Cloud and Water Lodging, Wish-Fulfilling Lodging, Buddhist Activity Center, and Elderly Activity Center, along with landscaping and beautification facilities. Once completed, Dasheng Temple will be developed into an ecological garden-style Buddhist monastery that integrates Buddhist practice and the bodhisattva path of benefiting all beings, becoming a renowned tourist and sightseeing destination.