Nengren Temple in Jiujiang

Nengren Temple in Jiujiang

Nengren Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

On Yuliang South Road in Jiujiang City stands an ancient temple, its deep red mountain gate adorned with eight large characters: “Namo Amitabha Buddha, Om Mani Padme Hum.” This is Nengren Temple, the foremost among Jiujiang’s Three Great Monasteries and a nationally key open temple designated by the State Council.

Nengren Temple was originally called Chengtian Temple. It is said to have been first built during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty in the Southern Dynasties (502–549) and was rebuilt during the Dali era of the Tang Dynasty. In the Qingli period of the Northern Song Dynasty, the 12th-generation master of the Southern School’s Nanyue lineage, Master Baiyun Duan, came to preside over the temple. While expanding the halls and constructing buildings, he also gave sermons and spread Buddhist teachings, attracting large crowds and greatly enhancing the fame of Chengtian Temple. It was destroyed by fire in the 12th year of the Zhi Zheng era of the Yuan Dynasty (1352), rebuilt in the 12th year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1379), and renamed to its current name in the 2nd year of the Hongzhi era (1489). It was again destroyed during the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty. Most of the current structures were rebuilt in the 9th year of the Tongzhi era (1870).

The temple buildings are laid out along the slope, with structures along the central axis including the mountain gate, Heavenly King Hall, Shuangyang Bridge, Mahavira Hall, Iron Buddha Hall, and Scripture Depository. The temple complex features closely arranged halls and solemn Buddha statues. Particularly captivating are the uniquely mystical “Eight Scenic Spots of Nengren.” These include: Dasheng Pagoda, Stone Boat, Rain-Pierced Rock, Shuangyang Bridge, Hui’er Spring, Iron Buddha, Ice Mountain, and Snow Cave.

Dasheng Pagoda was built in the 12th year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1379). In the 3rd year of the Xianfeng era (1853), three of its levels were destroyed and it was later restored in the 9th year of the Tongzhi era (1870) under the advocacy of Jingfu, the Jiujiang military defense intendant. The pagoda is built of brick and stone, with seven levels and six sides in a pavilion-style structure, standing 42.26 meters tall. Its entrance faces west, and starting from the second level, each of the six sides has doors—three solid and three false. Inside the pagoda, brick staircases allow visitors to spiral upward. This type of staircase structure is unique among China’s many ancient pagodas. From the top, one can enjoy panoramic views of the Xunyang cityscape and the majestic form of Mount Lu.

The Stone Boat is trough-shaped, measuring fifteen feet in length and over a foot in width, with inscriptions on its side carved in the 6th year of the Qingli era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1046). Legend has it that during the Yuanyou era of the Song Dynasty, a monk dreamed of an iron Buddha with an unusual ancient visage who told him he would float down the river to Xunyang on a stone boat. The next day, the monk went to the riverbank to welcome it and indeed found the iron Buddha arriving on the stone boat, which was then carried into the temple for enshrinement. The story of the iron Buddha crossing the river became an interesting Buddhist tale associated with Nengren Temple. Today, the “flying” stone boat is placed in a pool east of the Heavenly King Hall, with a bare-chested, barefoot iron Buddha of unusual ancient appearance seated on it.

The Iron Buddha is made of cast iron. It was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, and the current iron Buddha in the stone boat is a cement sculpture. Shuangyang Bridge, located between the old and new Heavenly King Halls, is a three-arch bridge. It spans an artificially dug Liberation Pond, featuring a calm and simple elegant design. The pond is surrounded by stone railings. The bridge divides the pond into eastern and western halves. Legend says that when the sun sets, one can see two reflections of the sun in the pond from the eastern side, hence the name.

Address: Yuliang South Road, Xunyang District, Jiujiang City

Type: Historical Site / Temple

Opening Hours:

7:00-18:00

Ticket Information:

Free admission.