ASEAN-Tai University Guang Temple

ASEAN-Tai University Guang Temple

ASEAN-Tai University Guang Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

ASEAN-Tai University Guang Temple, officially known as the "Great Compassion Pavilion of Guang Temple." This ancient Buddhist temple was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. In the 1990s, following the restoration of religious policies, it was rebuilt under the active leadership of Monk Yian. The former abbot, Monk Yian, was originally from Shizhaocun Village in Nanhe County and was born on the sixth day of the eighth lunar month in 1916 at the hour of the Dragon. He passed away on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month in 1994 at the hour of the Tiger in Xi’an’s Wolong Temple at the age of seventy-nine, and his relics are enshrined in the stupa. The current abbot is Master Yongchao.

According to Master Yongchao, the temple was called Guang Temple during the old monk’s practice years, and it became known as the Great Compassion Pavilion after he attained enlightenment. Master Yongchao strongly agrees with the doctrine of annihilationism within the theory of one life, stating that this is also why corrupt officials today only care about the present and ignore the karmic consequences of their actions. He said: “People nowadays only know how to fight among themselves, completely ignoring the law of karma, and thus they live in distress and ignorance.”

Unfortunately, no stone inscriptions or introductory materials that could prove the temple’s historical origins have been found. All the resident monks and workers were asked, but no one could provide clear information. It is said that they are still buried underground. Only one merit stele records the words: “Our revered teacher, Great Monk Yian, was originally from Shizhaocun Village in Nanhe County. He was born on the sixth day of the eighth lunar month in 1916 at the hour of the Dragon and passed away on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month in 1994 at the hour of the Tiger in Xi’an’s Wolong Temple at the age of seventy-nine.”

On the east side, there is a stone memorial archway, and the second courtyard includes earlier structures such as the Patriarch Pavilion and brick pagoda.

Scenic area address:东盟台 Village, Ren County, Xingtai City, Hebei Province

Transportation: Take bus No. 312 in Ren County and get off at the ASEAN-Tai stop.