Songning Temple

Songning Temple

Songning Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Originally named - Temple, Songning Temple is located in Zhangji Village, Doumen Township, 30 kilometers south of the city. It is the only Buddhist temple in China practicing the Esoteric sect outside of Tibet. Established during the Sui and Tang dynasties, it has a history of over a thousand years. The temple flourished during the reign of Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty, covering an area of more than 200 acres with over 200 halls and pavilions, and housing more than 500 monks. Emperor Qianlong once visited the temple and personally inscribed a plaque that read “Civil officials dismount, military officials dismount.” During the turbulent years of the Republic of China, the temple was destroyed in the war.

Under the leadership of lay disciple Wang Guochang, in 2002, 150,000 yuan was raised and 2 acres of land were purchased to restore the - Temple. The temple now houses the Mahavira Hall and side halls, enshrining over ten Buddha and Bodhisattva statues including Sakyamuni, Amitabha, and the Medicine Buddha. This thousand-year-old temple has once again radiated its former Buddhist glory.

Source: Huaiyang Government Website