Chongyi Yunyin Temple

Chongyi Yunyin Temple

Chongyi Yunyin Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Located at an altitude of 1,905 meters on the northern side of Qiyun Peak (2,061.3 meters above sea level), the highest peak in southern Jiangxi, Yunyin Temple in Yangling, Chongyi, Gannan, Jiangxi, lies just three kilometers south of Chongyi County and 72 kilometers from Ganzhou City. Yangling is a national 4A-level scenic area that combines primeval forests, natural waterfalls, streams, lakes, and mountain temples. It is also a provincial nature reserve and the closest national forest park to an urban area in southern Jiangxi. The park features undulating peaks, towering ancient trees, sweet springs, winding streams, ancient vines, rare plants, and seasonal blooms, as well as a variety of precious birds and animals. Natural oxygen bar, sea of clouds, peculiar rocks, rainforest, azaleas, and bamboo sea are known as the “Six Wonders of Yangling.” Yangling preserves the pristine beauty of subtropical primeval forests and is hailed as the “Green Treasure House of Southern China.” Hakka culture, bamboo culture, and longevity culture blend here, creating a dazzling fusion of nature and humanity.

The temple was first built in the eighth year of the Xiantong era of the Tang Dynasty (867 AD). Its founding abbot, Dazhi Zen Master, studied under Yicun Zen Master of Xuefeng (Fujian). Due to this spiritual connection, he revitalized Zen teachings here, attracting strong support. By the late Song and early Yuan dynasties, many monks and nuns fled to Chongyi to escape war, leading to flourishing incense offerings. At that time, Yunyin Temple in Yangling stood alongside Mitixi Tianhong Temple and Niedu Yunfeng Temple as one of the three major temples in Chongyi.

Yangling is also called Guanyin Mountain, a name rooted in a legend: during the Shaoxing era of the Southern Song Dynasty, a scholar surnamed Zhong and two friends passed by this mountain on their way to the imperial examinations in the capital. At Yunyin Temple, they were blessed by the manifestation of Guanyin Bodhisattva, who guided and protected them, leading to their success in the exams. Hence, the mountain became known as Guanyin Mountain, and the temple was called Guanyin Temple.

In the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties, amid dynastic transitions, many monks and nuns sought refuge in the mountains and valleys of Chongyi to escape turmoil and engage in practice. By the mid-Ming Dynasty, due to rebels like Xie Zhishan and Lantianfeng occupying Hengshui, Zuoxi, and Tonggang, carving out their own territories, access routes were blocked, and incense offerings gradually dwindled until the temple fell into disuse. In the 12th month of the 12th year of the Zhengde era (January 16, 1517), Wang Yangming, a renowned Ming Dynasty philosopher, statesman, military strategist, and Neo-Confucian scholar, was appointed as the Pacification Commissioner of Southern Jiangxi, Ganzhou, Tingzhou (Fujian), and Zhangzhou by the court. Holding the title of Left Censor-in-Chief of the Court of Censors, he was tasked with quelling the peasant uprisings across eight prefectures and one sub-prefecture in Jiangxi (Nanan and Ganzhou), Guangdong (Shaoguan, Nanxiong, Chaozhou, and Huizhou), Fujian (Tingzhou and Zhangzhou), and Hunan (Chenzhou).

By the fifth month of the 13th year of the Zhengde era (1518), the uprisings in regions such as Chenzhou, Huguang, had been suppressed. Wang Yangming petitioned the court to establish three new counties: Qingping (now Pinghe, Fujian), Chongyi in Jiangxi, and Heping in Guangdong. To commemorate his achievements, the locals renamed Guanyin Mountain to Yangling, a name still used today. Below Yangling Mountain lies a large lake called Yangming Lake, also established in honor of Wang Yangming’s contributions.

In the fourth year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty (1665), Zen Master Zhiliao resided here and rebuilt the ancient temple. Bada Shanren (Zhu Da), who lived in seclusion in Micixi, Chongyi, built a hut and became close friends with Zen Master Zhiliao, the abbot of Yunyin Temple. The two shared a deep bond, often drinking tea, discussing scriptures, and exchanging philosophical insights, leaving behind a treasured story.

In the early years of the Republic of China, warlord conflicts led to the dispersal of monks and the abandonment of the temple. Statues were destroyed, scriptures burned, and the temple declined along with the nation’s fortunes, while monks fled due to turmoil.

In 1996, Yunyin Temple was relocated from the back mountain to the front mountain of Yangling. However, due to insufficient funding, the temple fell into disrepair, with dilapidated halls and remained closed to the public. In early 2009, to support the development of local Buddhist culture and tourism, the Chongyi County Party Committee and County Government decided to renovate Yunyin Temple. They invited Venerable Foyin, then Dean of the Jiangxi Buddhist Academy, to serve as the abbot. Under his leadership, the temple revived the traditional Chan (Zen) practice of integrating farming and meditation. Religious activities were conducted smoothly and orderly, fostering a rich Buddhist cultural atmosphere that gained recognition from devotees and society. A grand foundation-laying ceremony was held, attracting Buddhist followers from Australia, Singapore, Macau, Hong Kong, and various parts of China to worship and visit, significantly boosting the visibility of Yunyin Temple and Chongyi. This has had an immeasurable impact on the future development of Chongyi. Currently, the temple has constructed the Mahavira Hall, Heavenly King Hall, monastic quarters, drum tower, and Merit Hall.

Figures

Venerable Foyin, from Yudu, Jiangxi, ordained in 1994 at Guanghua Temple in Putian, Fujian, and studied at the Fujian Buddhist College. He graduated in June 1999 and received the full precepts at Yunmen Temple in Guangdong. In 2000, he was invited to participate in the restoration and establishment of the Jiangxi Buddhist College. From 2001 to 2004, he taught in Australia for over three years before returning to serve as Dean and other roles at the Jiangxi Buddhist College. In 2005, he was elected as a member of the 10th National Committee of the Communist Youth League and the All-China Youth Federation. He attended the national conference in Beijing with distinguished representatives from Jiangxi, where he was warmly received by party and state leaders.

He has served as Vice President of the Pingxiang Buddhist Association, Deputy Dean and later Dean of the Jiangxi Buddhist College. He frequently organized and presided over large-scale events such as summer camps and consecration ceremonies, leaving his footprint in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau. He was repeatedly invited to join the “National Religious Youth Delegation for Inspection and Study,” organized by the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League, where he traveled across the country with outstanding representatives of religious youth, forging deep friendships with various faiths.

Venerable Foyin currently serves as a member of the 10th National Committee of the Communist Youth League and the All-China Youth Federation, an 8th-term member of the Jiangxi Provincial Youth Federation, Deputy Director of the Jiangxi Provincial Ethnic and Religious Affairs Commission, a member of the Chongyi County Political Consultative Conference, and the abbot of Yunyin Temple in Yangling.

Legends

It is said that Yunyin Temple in Yangling was first built during the Shaoxing era of the Southern Song Dynasty. According to the Nanan Prefecture Annals, during the Shaoxing era, a scholar surnamed Zhong and two friends were traveling to the capital for the imperial exams. En route, they were captivated by the majestic beauty of Yangling and decided to hike up the mountain together. Upon reaching the summit, they realized night was falling. Looking back, they saw a sea of clouds and steep cliffs, too daunting to descend. Reciting the Guanyin Sutra, a figure in white appeared, guiding them down and revealing that they had arrived in a celestial realm. The figure prophesied that since they had the fortune to be there, they would surely pass the exams and urged them not to delay their journey. The scholars bid farewell to the white-robed figure and hurried to the capital, where they indeed succeeded. Realizing the figure was Guanyin Bodhisattva, they built Guanyin Temple at the southern foot of Yangling and renamed the mountain Guanyin Mountain to honor the bodhisattva’s grace, which led to flourishing incense offerings.

Another legend says that during the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty, a wandering monk was enchanted by Yangling’s natural scenery and built a thatched hut here to practice. Later, a scholar passing by the hut was served Yangling tea by the monk. As the tea steamed, the rising mist formed the shape of a Buddha ascending to the mountaintop, encircling the hut in what looked like a “Buddha’s halo.” The scholar praised it as a celestial realm and promoted the construction of a temple through public donations. The temple was completed in 1628. Due to the constant cloud cover over Yangling, it was named “Yunyin Temple” (Temple of Hidden Clouds).

The Temple

Address: Yunyin Temple, Yangling, Chongyi County, Jiangxi

Postal Code: 341300