Xiushui Doushu Temple

Xiushui Doushu Temple

Xiushui Doushu Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Zhajin is a religious sacred site. As early as the Jin Dynasty, Wu Meng and Xu Xun (also known as Xu Zhenjun) practiced alchemy on Huanglong Mountain and Long’an Mountain, eliminating harms for the people and chasing away a malicious dragon, leaving behind many legendary tales. Later, Xu Zhenjun was revered as the patriarch of the Jingming Zhongxiao Taoist sect, and was popularly known as the “Deity of Loyalty and Filial Piety,” “Pillar of the Western River,” and “Benefactor of All Under Heaven.” The old street of Zhajin features the grand Wanshou Palace, which has long been a place of thriving incense offerings. It historically served as a comprehensive venue integrating religion, commerce, culture, and entertainment.

Doushu Chan Temple was first built during the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty and is the earliest Buddhist site in Xiushui. It flourished during the Tang and Song dynasties, and was one of the six major Chan monasteries of the county during the Song Dynasty, producing many eminent monks throughout the ages. There are numerous monk tombs and historical relics. In 2002, under the leadership of Master Shi Fazhao, huge investments were made to rebuild the temple complex, which in terms of architectural scale and standards, was developed into a renowned monastery in southern China. In September 2007, it was officially designated as a “Key Monastery of Jiangxi Province” by the Provincial Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau.

At its peak, Doushu Temple boasted extensive architecture. During the Song Dynasty, local scholar Huang Xiang and the great literary figure Zeng Gong, as well as Qing Dynasty Hanlin academician Mao Qiling, all wrote inscriptions for the temple. The Song Dynasty records describe: “The halls were solemn, the dining halls, lodging quarters, and kitchen facilities were arranged neatly on both sides, the stables and granaries were solid and secure, and all necessities for offerings were locally sourced without need from outside.” By the Qing Dynasty, the layout covered both eastern and western sections across nine courtyards, famously described as having “nine wells and eighteen halls.” Legend says that Emperor Qianlong once visited incognito, rested at the temple, and inscribed the four characters “大雄宝殿” (Mahavira Hall). Doushu Temple suffered damage through various wars. In 1943 (the 32nd year of the Republic of China), Monk Dingxin restored and rebuilt structures including the “Xinfeng Grand Buddhist Hall,” “Guanyin Hall,” and “Dingfu Villa.” It was severely damaged again during the Cultural Revolution, leaving only seven side rooms covering over 400 square meters.

The temple also preserves Qing Dynasty plaques gifted by Leng Fengnian, former Prefect of Chongming County in Jiangsu Province (“悟通宝馨” / “Realized Treasure Incense”), and by Grand Secretary and Vice Minister of Rites Wang Tingyu (“翠拔云崖” / “Jade Piercing Cloud Cliff”). There are also ancient artifacts such as square stone water vats made in the 32nd year (1663) and 51st year (1712) of the Kangxi reign. In front of the temple were structures like the Questioning Dharma Pavilion, Three-Eye Bridge, Ascension Bridge, Incense Flower Bridge, Heart-Testing Ladder, and Ten-Thousand-Labor Pond. Nearby are numerous stupas, including those of Master Congyue, Master Huiyun, Master Shaosong, Master Ronggaoliang, Master Xingduan, Master Hecan, and the tomb of Monk Dingxin—over 50 with inscribed stelae. The temple’s mountain land and farmland covered approximately 2 square kilometers, with built-up area exceeding 10,000 square meters.

After the reform and opening up, religious policies were further implemented, incense offerings resumed, and with approval and certification from provincial religious authorities, the temple became an important Buddhist site in the county. In 1997 and 2000, descendants of Longshan Dezhan from Japan—members of the Jodo Shinshu Otani Sect, including Kenenobu Chiba from the Kantō Betsuin of Senshūji Temple—visited China twice to trace their roots and pay homage to their ancestral temple, donating to recast the Guanyin statue. In 2002, Master Shi Fazhao, a disciple of Master Chuan Kai from Wuning Mituo Temple, arrived at Doushu Temple with a bodhisattva’s resolve and a vision to revive the ancestral monastery. He was welcomed by local government and community leaders, and has since invested heavily in rebuilding Doushu Chan Temple, creating what is now the largest Buddhist temple complex in the border regions of Hunan, Hubei, and Jiangxi. Covering 120,000 square meters with 50,000 square meters of constructed space, it includes key halls such as the Manjusri Hall, Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, and Scripture Depository along the central axis on the original site. Behold—the grand halls shine with gold and splendor, the Buddha statues are majestically adorned, and incense offerings thrive in every season. Now let us begin our tour from the Manjusri Hall to admire this magnificent monastery.

Mahavira Hall: Passing through the Heavenly King Hall, you will see before you this grand structure—the Mahavira Hall. Built in the Song-style hip-and-gable roof form, it is majestic, resplendent, 30 meters high, and covers 2,000 square meters. At the center of the stairway in front of the hall is a precious stone carving artwork called “Nine Dragons Accompanying the Sun.” Inside, the hall enshrines the Three World Buddhas: in the center is Shakyamuni, the teacher of the Saha World; on the right is Amitabha, the teacher of the Western Pure Land; and on the left is Bhaisajyaguru, the teacher of the Eastern Pure Lapis Lazuli World. On the chests of the Buddhas is the “卍” symbol, defined by Empress Wu Zetian as representing the radiance of the sun or burning flames, later adopted as a Buddhist emblem signifying universal auspiciousness and merit. On the east and west sides of the hall are the Eighteen Arhats. Behind Shakyamuni is the Thousand-Armed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin Bodhisattva. To her left front is Manjusri Bodhisattva, deity of wisdom, holding a sword and riding a lion, symbolizing wisdom and might—known as the “Great Wisdom Bodhisattva.” To her right front is Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, deity of practice, holding a wish-fulfilling staff and riding a six-tusked elephant (symbolizing the six afflictions), known as the “Great Conduct Bodhisattva.”

Manjusri Hall: This hall enshrines the Five Manifestations of Manjusri Bodhisattva. Together with Samantabhadra, they serve as Shakyamuni’s attendants and are foremost in wisdom among all bodhisattvas. Flanking them are the Four Heavenly Kings.

Heavenly King Hall: We have now arrived at the Heavenly King Hall. At its center is the Heavenly-Crowned Maitreya Buddha, who smiles warmly, welcoming all devotees. On either side are the Four Heavenly Kings, each guarding one direction: the Southern Virūḍhaka, who holds a sword and controls the wind; the Eastern Dhṛtarāṣṭra, who plays a pipa and governs harmony; the Northern Vaiśravaṇa, who holds a parasol and rules the rain; and the Western Virūpākṣa, who grasps a dragon and commands compliance. Together, they oversee favorable weather, bountiful harvests, national peace, and protection of the people. Behind Maitreya is Skanda (Wei Tuo) Bodhisattva, who wields a vajra. Originally a general under Virūḍhaka, he was personally appointed by the Buddha to patrol the three continents, protect monastics, and uphold the Dharma—thus known as the “Guardian of the Three Continents.” Legend says that after Shakyamuni’s parinirvana, when the demon Rākṣasa stole the Buddha’s tooth relic, Skanda bravely pursued and retrieved it, earning the title of bodhisattva.

Scripture Depository: The final section is the Scripture Depository, also called the Scripture Pavilion, the treasure house of Buddhist scriptures for Doushu Chan Monastery. In front of it, on the right, is the “Dharma Hall” where monastics chant and contemplate; on the left is the “Great Dormitory,” also called the Dining Hall, along with guest and lodging quarters.

Lotus Pond: Passing through the halls and entering the west side, you will find the “Lotus Pond.” Look—the peaks of Long’an Mountain rise like a lotus flower, with its nine petals spread out. The pond lies at the “heart of the blossom.” Spanning over 2,000 square meters, the pond’s embankment fronts a Lotus Plaza, where a 17-meter-high statue of Guanyin stands holding a lotus, greeting visitors from all directions.

Patriarch Stupa: Above the Lotus Pond lies the tomb stupa of Master Congyue from the Song Dynasty. Master Congyue (1044–1091), a disciple of Baofeng Zhenwen and the Third Patriarch of the Huanglong School, became a monk at Puyuan Monastery in his youth, studied under Yun’gai Shouzhi and Qing Su, and later received Dharma transmission from Baofeng Kewen. Ordained, he practiced at Dao Wu Mountain in Changsha, served as head monk, abbot of Lushan Temple in Changsha, and later abbot of Doushu Temple. He established the “Doushu Three Barriers” based on Huinan’s “Huanglong Three Barriers” to test students, gaining wide influence. The eminent layman Zhang Shangying, then Transport Commissioner of Hongzhou and later Prime Minister, studied under him and attained enlightenment. In the winter of 1091, Master Congyue passed away reciting a gatha. The powerful official Zhang Shangying sent emissaries to offer sacrifices and requested the court posthumously honor him as “True Silence Master.” In 1745 (10th year of Qianlong), Doushu successors relocated his relics to Snake Ridge at the foot of Long’an Mountain, buried together with Master Huiyun, where the tomb remains intact.

Master Hecan’s Stupa: Located on the east side behind Doushu Temple, this is the stupa of Master Hecan, a nationally famed high monk from the early Qing Dynasty, direct disciple of renowned master Muchu Daokai, and student of Great Awakened National Teacher. Initially residing at Baoying Temple in Wukang, Zhejiang, he often accompanied the National Teacher to advise the emperor. In the early Kangxi years, he lived at Fengshan Temple in Tongcheng. In the 12th year of Kangxi (1673), he accepted an invitation to become abbot of Doushu Temple, then known as “Pingyang National Teacher.” He oversaw large-scale reconstruction, revitalizing the temple. Master Hecan was also a skilled physician, curing the emperor’s illness and receiving imperial rewards including a golden ruyi, a thousand-Buddha kasaya, and ceremonial canopies. Legend says the emperor approved construction of a “Ten-Li Flower Street,” but it was never completed due to the master’s untimely death en route. Once hailed as the “Long’an Patriotic Hall,” his legacy includes writings and poetry recording life at Doushu Temple. His stupa remains and is listed as a county-level cultural relic.

Incense Flower Bridge: Located at the original entrance of Doushu Temple, this 3-meter-span, 2.8-meter-wide bridge is entirely built of granite, featuring a single arch. Inscriptions beneath the arch include “Resident Monk Hui Xuan, 4th Year, 2nd Month, 26th Day, Yuanyou Era, Great Song” and “Resident Monk Liuan, 10th Month, 19th Day, Gengwu Year, Qianlong Era, Rebuilt This Bridge.” It is the earliest stone arch bridge in Xiushui and is listed as a provincial key cultural relic.

Ascension Bridge: Spanning the small stream in front of Doushu Temple, this single-arch bridge is 1.9 meters wide, 3 meters high, and 5 meters in span. Built over red rock, the opposite bank’s valley was used to cremate deceased monks—thus called “Ascension Bridge” or “Immortal Ascent Bridge.” Legend also says that when the immortal Zhang Guolao visited Doushu Temple searching for Lü Dongbin, he crossed here, giving it the name “Immortal Bridge.”