Xingtai Jingtu Temple

Xingtai Jingtu Temple

Xingtai Jingtu Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Xingtai Jingtu Temple is an ancient temple in Xingtai with a history of over 1,600 years. According to old records from Xingtai, it was the residence of the eminent monk Fotu Cheng during the Later Zhao period of the Sixteen Kingdoms, from 232 to 248 AD. At the end of the Jin Dynasty, the great master of the Caodong school — Wan Song Xing Xiu — became a monk at the age of fifteen at Jingtu Temple in Xingzhou (now Xingtai, Hebei), and later traveled extensively, receiving Dharma transmission from Master Xue Yan Hui Man of Damingsi Temple in Cizhou (now Ci County, Hebei), thus spreading the Caodong Zen teachings. As the 14th-generation Dharma heir of the Caodong school presiding over Jingtu Temple in Xingtai, he built the Wansong Pavilion and was thus known as Elder Wansong, devoting himself to solitary practice. In the fourth year of the Mingchang era (1193) under Emperor Zhangzong of the Jin Dynasty, he was summoned to the imperial court to preach and received grand honors. At the request of Yelü Chucai, he authored Chan forest classics such as the "Congrong Lu," "Qingyi Hou Lu," and "Wanshou Yu Lu," which are considered representative works of Chan literature.

In the year 2000, with the flourishing of Buddhism and peace across the nation, the Xingtai Municipal Government approved the relocation and reconstruction of Jingtu Temple more than ten kilometers southeast of its original site. In the second lunar month of 2001, Venerable Sheng Song Hong Chuan, a distinguished monk of the Linji school’s revival, laid the foundation. His lay disciple, the devout lay Buddhist Xiao Zhanjun, undertook fundraising efforts as entrusted by his teacher. Within two years, thanks to the strong support of Buddhists nationwide, a total of 2.616 million yuan was raised. This enabled the completion of solemn halls, majestic Buddha statues, accommodations for monks, and harmonious bell and drum sounds, bringing joy to both humans and heavens. Jingtu Temple is located on the west side inside the north gate of Shunde Prefecture. It has three main halls, partially collapsed. Judging by their style and the Buddha statues inside, they are confirmed to be Ming Dynasty structures. There is also a small stone pagoda northwest of the hall, designed in the style of a dense-eave pagoda, inscribed with “Wansong Master’s Relic Pagoda,” built in the 19th year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty (1282 AD).

Twenty years later, another expert in ancient architecture named Liu Huida came to Xingtai to investigate Jingtu Temple:

Jingtu Chan Monastery: Northeast of Tianning Temple lies Jingtu Temple, known as Jingtu Chan Monastery during the Song Dynasty. The temple has long been abandoned, but important relics include one Song Dynasty stele and one Yuan Dynasty pagoda.

In the local chronicles of Xingtai, there is very little information about Jingtu Temple. Among them, the Qianlong edition of the "Shunde Prefecture Annals" records the following:

Jingtu Temple, northeast of Tianning Temple. Old records say it was built in the first year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty, but the temple currently houses a Song Dynasty stele that mentions renovations, indicating it did not originate in the Yuan Dynasty... According to old records, it is said that the temple was a relic of Fotu Cheng, though there is no definite evidence. It is best to leave this as an open question.

Speaking of Jingtu Temple, one cannot omit a historical figure associated with it — Wan Song Xing Xiu, a highly renowned eminent monk of the Caodong school.

Wan Song Xing Xiu (1166–1246), secular surname Cai, was from Heyang (Huaiqing, Henan). At the age of fifteen, he became a monk under the guidance of Monk Zanyun at Jingtu Temple in Xingzhou. After completing his studies and receiving full precepts, he went to Yan (Beijing) to study under Master Sheng Mo Guang, abbot of Qingshou Temple, who was a disciple of Xue Yan Man of the Caodong school. Half a year later, Sheng Mo Guang recommended Wan Song to visit Master Xue Yan Man at Damingsi Temple in Cizhou. Under the guidance of these two masters — as recorded in the "Xu Zhizhiyuelu" with verses exchanged between Xue An Man and Wan Song:

"Whenever you sit or walk, when your mind has not yet given rise to thoughts, sharply bring up awareness and see. If you do not see, then set it aside. Practice in this way — resting does not hinder study, and studying does not hinder rest."

They urged him to abandon the fruitless analysis of dead words, to stop being trapped in verbal limitations, and taught him the Caodong school’s principle of sudden enlightenment. Later, Wan Song had a sudden insight and "re-examined Xuan Sha’s unresolved words." Upon seeking advice, Xue Yan said:

"Wait until horns grow on your head, and claws and fangs sprout from your hands and feet, then you can come looking for a beating."

Xingtai Jingtu Temple is located at No. 155, Huangtun New District, Development Zone, Xingtai City, Hebei Province. The current abbot is Venerable Shi Wanyi. To inherit the Buddha’s legacy and continue the wisdom of the Dharma, Venerable Wanyi carries forward the virtuous qualities of the late Venerable Hong Chuan — simplicity, strict self-discipline, and compassion toward others. He promotes the principles of “deep faith in karma, sincere chanting of the Buddha’s name, and aspiration for rebirth in the Pure Land” to glorify the nation and benefit all beings. He is dedicated to aligning Buddhism with socialist society, abiding by laws, loving the country, and cherishing the Dharma. Upholding the ideals of “boundless compassion” and “shared suffering,” as well as “awakening to life and dedicating oneself to life,” he spreads the Pure Land teachings across the nation. Countless practitioners of the Pure Land tradition have been guided onto the right path, practicing correctly and attaining genuine realization. Over the past decade, Venerable Wanyi has deeply understood that this teaching is indeed the foremost Dharma gate through which all Buddhas of the ten directions and three times liberate sentient beings. He sincerely wishes for the Pure Land teachings to spread everywhere and liberate all beings. May all wise teachers propagate the true Dharma, uphold right views on karma, reveal the suffering of the six realms of rebirth, illuminate the eternal bliss of Buddha-nature, praise the superiority of the Pure Land, and together realize the wisdom of enlightenment.

In 1997, at the behest of the late Venerable Hong Chuan, Venerable Wanyi resided at Ciyun Temple in Jiangjunmu, Xingtai County. Adhering to the teachings of Master Jingkong, he committed himself to the practice of the "Amitabha Sutra" ("Buddha Speaks of the Infinite Life Sutra of Great Merit, Purity, Equality, and Enlightenment"), dedicating his days to chanting sutras and the Buddha’s name, rarely leaving the mountain gate for months at a time. In 2000, to accommodate visiting lay practitioners and facilitate practice, he initiated the construction of the Three Saints Hall and monastic quarters. Construction was completed on the seventh day of the ninth lunar month, and the Seven-Day Chanting Retreat commenced on the eighth. From then on, Ciyun Temple held daily four sessions of practice, with the Buddha’s name resonating ceaselessly throughout the temple around the clock.

On the first day of the ninth lunar month in 2002, Xingtai’s Buddhist Association completed the construction of Jingtu Temple, which was inaugurated and put into use on the same day. A forty-nine-day chanting retreat (Seven-Day Retreat) began on that day, with Venerable Wanyi invited as the principal officiating monk. During this retreat, the "Amitabha Sutra" ("Buddha Speaks of the Infinite Life Sutra of Great Merit, Purity, Equality, and Enlightenment") was also expounded.