Linqing Daning Temple

Linqing Daning Temple

Linqing Daning Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Shandong Province.

Linqing Daning Temple, situated on Shangchang Street in Linqing on the east bank of the Wei Canal, was first constructed in the Song Dynasty. It was burnt down in the 39th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign (1774) during the Qing Dynasty and subsequently rebuilt. It underwent multiple additions and renovations during the Ming Dynasty’s Jiajing and Wanli eras, the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, and the Republican era. Originally covering an area of over 10,000 square meters, the temple complex comprised more than 100 halls and rooms. Its layout is a longitudinally rectangular courtyard facing south, consisting of three successive courtyards. Along the central north-south axis are, from south to north: the mountain gate, the Buddha hall, the theater stage, the Mahavira Hall, and the Sangharama Hall. Symmetrical meditation rooms and dining halls flank the east and west sides, forming a magnificent architectural complex among local temples. The plaque above the temple’s entrance inscribed with the name “Daning Temple” was originally written by Fang Yuanhuan, a local scholar who passed the rural imperial examination. It was later destroyed in war, and the current plaque was inscribed in the 17th year of the Republic of China (1928) by then-county magistrate Ma Rui. The characters are over one and a half feet tall, bold and powerful. The Mahavira Hall is five bays wide and three bays deep. This hall is the only well-preserved ancient Buddhist temple structure remaining in Linqing. An inscription from the 47th year of the Wanli era (1619) titled “Record of the Renovation of the Mahavira Hall by Elder Wenzhen of Daning Temple” documents the thriving commercial scene of the time, describing how “the area around was bustling with markets, with piles of gold, silver, textiles, pearls, and jades reaching as high as mountains.” Poems by literati such as Xie Zhen and Zhu Yizun about visiting and admiring the temple are also recorded in the Linqing Prefecture Annals.

In 1992, to implement the Party’s policies on religious real estate and meet the spiritual needs of local worshippers, the Linqing Municipal Government returned Daning Temple to the management and use of the Buddhist Association. In June 2011, with approval from the Liaocheng Cultural Relics Bureau, the Linqing Municipal Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau, and the Linqing Municipal Culture, Radio, Television, and News Publishing Bureau, the roof and walls of the Mahavira Hall were renovated, adhering to the principle of “preserving the original appearance of the historic architecture without compromising its cultural value.” After multiple renovations and expansions, the temple now presents a completely renewed look. Daning Temple has been designated as a cultural relic protection unit of Shandong Province, adding significant value to Linqing’s participation in the Grand Canal’s UNESCO World Heritage nomination efforts.