Ningdu Qinglian Ancient Temple

Ningdu Qinglian Ancient Temple

Jiangxi Province’s key Buddhist temple — Qinglian Ancient Temple is located on Lotus Mountain, 20 kilometers west of Ningdu City. The winding 5-kilometer-long Lotus Mountain features undulating peaks, majestic momentum, and a serpentine layout resembling a lotus flower. Towering ancient trees, dense bamboo shading the sunlight, murmuring mountain springs, and birdsong echoing through the valley create a serene atmosphere. With the changing seasons, the mountain is sometimes veiled in mist, presenting a hazy beauty; other times the clouds disperse, revealing a clear blue sky. Throughout the year, it showcases a tranquil, mysterious, and profoundly elegant scenery.

The ancient temple boasts a long history and has produced many eminent monks. According to local chronicles and temple steles, Qinglian Ancient Temple was founded by its founding patriarch, Monk Qinglian (monastic name Zhidun), in the second year of the Taishi era during the Western Jin Dynasty, making it over 1,700 years old. During the Ming Dynasty, Master Wuji (monastic name Juewu) was highly regarded by Emperor Yingzong, who summoned him on February 22 of the sixth year of the Zhengtong era and conferred upon him the title of “Wanshou Zen Master,” also granting him half a set of imperial insignia. In the Qing Dynasty, Master Wuwei (monastic name Zhenhui), a highly respected monk, was unanimously elected as the abbot of the temple in the thirteenth year of the Qianlong era by the county magistrate and local gentry. His virtuous deeds are recorded in the "Biography of the Dharma Lantern." After the liberation, Venerable Yin Ci, Executive Director of the Buddhist Association of China and Vice President of the Buddhist Association of Jiangxi Province, served as the abbot.

Qinglian Ancient Temple was initially built more than two hundred meters to the left of the current site, at a place called Dawodi. It stood there for over a thousand years until it was destroyed during the Song Dynasty. Several hundred years later, it was relocated to its present location and rebuilt. Over the next 400 years, it has been preserved to this day. Throughout its history, it has endured natural disasters and witnessed many vicissitudes, undergoing numerous renovations. Records from surviving temple steles show that it was repaired or expanded during the Jiajing and Wanli eras of the Ming Dynasty, as well as the Daoguang and Tongzhi eras of the Qing Dynasty. After the Cultural Revolution, it was gradually restored, with new structures such as the Sangharama Hall, guest rooms, kitchen, guesthouse, and abbot’s quarters being added. Particularly between 1990 and 1993, the Scripture Depository and the Mahavira Hall were newly constructed, both covered with golden-glazed yellow tiles. Their upturned eaves and radiant splendor complement the simple yet solemn Ming and Qing architectural style, creating a striking contrast and mutual radiance.

The temple faces southeast and is situated to the northwest. The entire architectural complex is integrated, covering an area of over 3,200 square meters. The buildings are divided into three sections — front, middle, and rear — comprising ten halls. The main structures include the Heavenly King Hall, the Mahavira Hall, and the Scripture Depository. On the right side are the Three Saints Hall and the Dining Hall. On the left are the Guanyin Hall, Skanda Hall, Patriarchs Hall, and Sangharama Hall. Adjacent are the abbot’s quarters and the guesthouse. The Heavenly King Hall serves as the temple’s facade, with the four large clerical-script characters “Qing Lian Gu Shi” (Qinglian Ancient Temple) above the gate, handwritten by an ancient master, catching the eye. Inside the hall, at the center of the front, sits the Maitreya Buddha cross-legged, with a kind and amiable expression and a heartwarming smile. The majestic and handsome Skanda, holding a vajra club and standing behind the Maitreya Buddha, exudes an awe-inspiring presence. According to Buddhist belief, he vigilantly guards the temple, protecting the Three Jewels — the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. On both sides stand the Four Heavenly Kings, over a zhang tall, clad in dazzling armor, with fierce expressions that also convey a sense of compassion, making them both formidable and respectable. The Mahavira Hall is solemn and dignified, rich in religious and cultural significance. Hanging above the hall’s doors and interior are two large horizontal plaques inscribed with “Mahavira Hall” and “May the Buddha’s Light Shine Brighter,” both written in regular script. The former was penned by Xie Yuanhan, a calligrapher and Hanlin academician of the Qing Dynasty, while the latter was by Li Weixiu, a calligrapher of the Qing Dynasty, and both are considered masterpieces of ancient calligraphy. The grand wooden doors of the hall are exquisitely carved, displaying classic elegance and an antique charm. After the Cultural Revolution, the Three Jewels — the Buddha and the Eighteen Arhats — were recast, appearing solemn and compassionate, with lifelike expressions and resplendent gold and colors. The halo behind the Buddha statues, the pedestal under the Buddhas, and the Dragon Spring incense table in the hall all showcase the artisans’ devotion. The carvings depict vivid stories of figures, birds, animals, flowers, and plants that seem to leap off the surface. The decorative embroideries in the hall — canopies, banners, and canopies — are colorful and ingeniously crafted. Every item in the hall’s decor is a work of art with aesthetic value. The Scripture Depository is spacious, bright, and simply designed. It houses a jade reclining Buddha from Myanmar, donated from overseas, valued at over 200,000 yuan, along with the “Scripture Depository” display, adding significant charm to the ancient temple.

The temple adheres strictly to monastic rules, maintaining an orderly monastic community and a rigorous spiritual discipline. Incense smoke lingers perennially, purifying the mind; the sound of chanting resonates gently, touching the heart; morning bells and evening drums echo through the valley. Pilgrims come year-round, and especially during the lunar August, the temple becomes exceptionally lively, with crowds so immense that up to 2,000 people stay overnight at peak times. The non-sectarian monastic system attracts numerous Buddhist disciples, and wandering monks and nuns frequently come to stay. The temple has long been the center of Buddhist activities in Ningdu and is also a historically influential ancient temple in the province. The 40-plus resident monks, nuns, and lay practitioners uphold the Buddhist tradition of “no work, no food,” emphasizing the balance of spiritual practice and labor. They engage in farming, vegetable cultivation, and tea growing, yielding over 30,000 jin of grain annually, with vegetables and tea largely meeting their own needs.

Over the long history of the ancient temple, many touching legends, rare treasures, and unique sites have been left behind. Tales such as “Where the Lotus Blooms, the Path Opens,” “The Kasaya Claiming the Mountain,” “The Divine Log Emerging from the Pool,” “The Beamless Hall Framework,” and “The Fairy Ascension” have long been widely told. However, some of the “Four Treasures” from modern times — the Golden Hairpin Bell, the Jade Incense Burner, the Sweet Dew Precious Tree, and the Carp Wooden Clapper — have unfortunately been damaged or vanished. The Golden Hairpin Bell, according to legend, failed to be cast successfully three times. Eventually, a young lady threw her golden hairpin into the furnace, and only then did the bell take shape. This bell had an extraordinarily loud sound and was entirely covered in golden radiance. During the War of Resistance, it was forcibly taken away by a departing commissioner and shipped via waterway, but the boat capsized in stormy seas, and the bell sank. The Jade Incense Burner came from the capital, weighing over 100 jin, standing about eight inches tall, more than a foot wide, and around an inch thick. It had a shiny finish, fine texture, and crimson veins running through it. The burner was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, leaving only fragments weighing over 20 jin. The Sweet Dew Precious Tree originally grew in the open space in front of the temple. It had lush foliage, resembling an umbrella. On hot summer days, sweet dew would drift down from its shade. Later, pilgrims spread the belief that peeling its bark and boiling it could cure all diseases. During the Soviet Area period, all the bark was stripped off, leading to the tree’s death. Its stump, however, remains unrotted to this day. The Carp Wooden Clapper was carved in the shape of a carp, hollowed out inside, and emitted a crisp sound. Having lasted for a thousand years, its whereabouts are now unknown. Current relics in the temple include over 20 Ming and Qing steles, a large bell cast in the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty, and a centuries-old large fish-shaped wooden

This ancient temple is not only renowned for its long history, thriving incense offerings, and grand scale, making it a sacred Buddhist site, but also celebrated for the seamless integration of its cultural and natural landscapes, which complement each other to create picturesque scenery. The mysterious and fascinating myths and legends add to its allure. It is also home to the extraordinary contemporary "Chinese wonder nun," Shi Hongqing, who has practiced breatharianism for many years and gained fame both domestically and internationally. Additionally, the fresh air, cool temperatures, and refreshing ambiance bring a sense of tranquility and comfort. The sweet mountain spring water and fragrant green tea invigorate the spirit and provide unparalleled relaxation. Qinglian Ancient Temple is truly an ideal travel destination.