Tianning Ancient Temple

Tianning Ancient Temple

Tianning Ancient Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Nestled in Gangxia Village, 18 kilometers north of Nanchang City, lies a magnificent complex of golden and resplendent buildings—this is Tianning Ancient Temple, the largest Buddhist Zen site in Wanli District. Tianning Ancient Temple once flourished immensely, but over time, through the vicissitudes of history and repeated devastation from wars, the ancient temple was completely destroyed. By September 1985, only a Guanyin Pavilion remained, standing less than two meters tall and covering an area of less than 18 square meters. Shaken by wind and rain, the pavilion housed only a single image on the shrine for visitors to worship.

At that time, 61-year-old Comrade Wan Renying came here devoutly to shave her head and become a nun, receiving the Dharma name Shi Shunyin. She donated her life savings of 6,000 yuan to support the temple’s operations. Under the guidance of the presiding monk, it took seven years to build a grand and imposing comprehensive temple. Covering a construction area of 5,000 square meters, the temple stands proudly at the southern end of Wanli District, receiving pilgrims and tourists from all directions.

The newly built temple gate is majestic and spectacular. The monastery’s quadrangle halls are solemn and elegant, featuring a two-story brick-concrete structure. The halls are closely connected, graceful and magnificent. In the Mahavira Hall, curtains hang low, with the Tathagata seated at the center, the Four Heavenly Kings slightly bowing their faces, the Water-Moon Guanyin holding a pure vase, and the 18 golden Arhats on both sides exquisitely carved, with lifelike expressions and vivid appearances. The rear hall features the Island of the Gods, with 148 bodhisattvas, and the Skanda Hall depicts the dragon- and tiger-subduing scenes. The east and west halls serve as meditation rooms, nuns' bedrooms, as well as living and guest rooms. At dawn when the rooster crows or at sunset, Tianning Ancient Temple is brightly lit, with over forty nuns and lay practitioners standing solemnly before the Buddha, filling the air with fragrant incense.

Over the past five years, Tianning Temple has earned an excellent reputation, and the current thriving Buddhist activities at the ancient temple reflect a microcosm of the nation’s peace and prosperity today.