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 place where the eminent monk Fotu Cheng resided 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 — Wansong Xingxiu — became a monk at the age of fifteen at Jingtu Temple in Xingzhou (now Xingtai, Hebei), and later traveled across various regions. He received Dharma transmission from Master Xueyan Huiman of Daming Temple in Cizhou (now Ci County, Hebei), 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 thus came to be known as Elder Wansong. He devoted himself to solitary practice. In the fourth year of Mingchang during the reign of Emperor Zhangzong of Jin (1193), he was summoned to the imperial court to preach, receiving grand honors. At the request of Yelü Chucai, he authored works such as “The Carefree Record,” “The Subsequent Record of Requests for Further Instruction,” and “The Ten Thousand Longevity Sayings,” which became representative texts in the Zen Buddhist canon.

In the year 2000, as Buddhism flourished and the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity, the Xingtai Municipal Government approved the relocation and reconstruction of Jingtu Temple over ten li southeast of its original site. In the second lunar month of 2001, Master Shengsong Hongchuan, a legitimate successor of the Linji school and reviver of the tradition, laid the foundation. His lay disciple, the virtuous lay follower Xiao Zhanjun, undertook fundraising 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 temple to have solemn halls, majestic Buddha statues, accommodations for monks, and harmonious bells and drums, 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 were clearly built during the Ming Dynasty. There is also a small stone pagoda in the northwest corner of the hall, designed in the style of a dense-eave pagoda, inscribed with “Stupa of Master Wansong’s Relics,” 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 had long been abandoned, but today important cultural relics include one Song Dynasty stele and one Yuan Dynasty pagoda.

In the local gazetteers 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 a renovation, indicating it did not originate in the Yuan Dynasty... Carefully examining the old records, it is traditionally said that the temple was a relic of Fotu Cheng, though there is no solid evidence. It is best to leave this point in doubt.

Speaking of Jingtu Temple, one cannot overlook a historical figure associated with it — Wansong Xingxiu, a highly renowned eminent monk of the Caodong school.

Wansong Xingxiu (1166–1246), secular surname Cai, was from Henei (Huaiqing, Henan). At the age of fifteen, he went to Jingtu Temple in Xingzhou to shave his head and become a monk under the guidance of Monk Zanyun. After completing his studies and receiving full precepts, he went to Yan (Beijing) to study under Master Shengmoguang, abbot of Qingshou Temple. Shengmoguang was a disciple of Xueyan Man of the Caodong school. Half a year later, Shengmoguang recommended that Wansong visit Master Xueyan Man of Daming Temple in Cizhou. Under the guidance of these two masters — as recorded in the “Continued Pointing at the Moon Record,” which includes verses by Xue’an Man and Wansong:

“As you walk or sit, when the mind has not yet arisen in stillness, sharply bring up awareness and see — if you don’t see, then set it aside. Practice in this way. Resting does not hinder study, and studying does not hinder resting.”

They urged him to abandon rigid analysis of dead words, to avoid being trapped by literal meanings, and guided Wansong with the Caodong school’s principle of sudden enlightenment. Later, Wansong had a sudden realization. “He went back to read Xuansha’s unresolved words.” Upon seeking further instruction, Xueyan said:

“Wait until your head grows horns, and your hands and feet grow claws and fangs, 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 Master Hongchuan — living simply, disciplining oneself strictly, and treating others with compassion. Guided by the principles of “deeply believing in karma, faithfully chanting the Buddha’s name, and seeking rebirth in the Pure Land,” he dedicates himself to harmonizing Buddhism with socialist society, abiding by laws, and fostering love for country and faith. Upholding the ideals of “boundless compassion” and “shared suffering,” as well as “awakening to life and dedicating oneself to life,” he promotes the Pure Land teachings across the nation. As a result, countless practitioners of the Pure Land path have found the correct way, practicing properly 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 guide sentient beings to enlightenment. He sincerely wishes for the Pure Land teachings to spread everywhere, liberating all beings. May all wise and virtuous ones propagate the true Dharma, uphold right views on karma, reveal the suffering of the six realms of rebirth, clarify the eternal joy of Buddha-nature, praise the supremacy of the Pure Land, and together realize enlightenment.

In 1997, following the instructions of the late Master Hongchuan, 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”), reciting scriptures and chanting the Buddha’s name daily, often not leaving the mountain gate for months. In 2000, to accommodate lay practitioners ascending the mountain 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 first Seven-Day Chanting Session began on the eighth day at Ciyun Temple, along with a lecture series on the “Amitabha Sutra.” Since then, Ciyun Temple has maintained four daily sessions of practice, with the Buddha’s name chanted continuously in the main hall around the clock.

On the first day of the ninth lunar month in 2002, the Jingtu Temple constructed under the auspices of the Xingtai Buddhist Association was completed and inaugurated. On the same day, a forty-nine-day chanting session commenced, and Venerable Wanyi was invited to serve as the principal presiding monk. During this session, lectures on the “Amitabha Sutra” were also given.