Miaogao Temple Pagoda Tomb

Miaogao Temple Pagoda Tomb

Miaogao Temple Pagoda Tomb is a cultural relic protection unit of Henan Province.

Miaogao Temple Pagoda Tomb is one of the scenic spots in the Jiuhua Mountain area. Located about 1,000 meters southeast of Miaogao Temple, there is a high monk’s pagoda tomb, and on the east side of the temple, there is another nuns' pagoda tomb. The style of these pagoda tombs differs from those at the Shaolin Temple in Songshan Mountain. Judging from the shape of the pagodas, the lotus patterns carved on their bodies, and the inscriptions on the tomb epitaphs, most of the pagoda tombs were built in the early Qing Dynasty. Among the nuns’ pagoda tombs, there is one with a stele on which a prominent Chinese character “佛” (Buddha) is engraved at the top, and beneath it are smaller characters that read: “十方僧尼二普同塔” (A Shared Tomb for Monks and Nuns from All Directions). Upon closer examination, the inscriptions identify the remains as “宗持寂光灵骨” and “戒待运空灵骨.” It is quite rare to have both monks and nuns in the same temple, and even rarer to have a shared pagoda tomb for them, making this a unique sight in Buddhist history.

Address: Houchong Village, Chenlinzi Town, Gushi County, Xinyang City, Henan Province

Houchong Village: Houchong Village is located in the mountainous area south of Chenlin Town government, approximately 7.5 kilometers from the town center. The village administers 13 villager groups, 36 natural settlements, with 565 households and a population of 2,400. The village has weak collective economy, a single industry, and low income among residents, which are the basic characteristics of Houchong Village. It is a shallow mountainous area with mountainous land covering 12,400 mu and arable land of 800 mu. The area has a subtropical monsoon climate, suitable for growing tea, bamboo, chestnuts, and other forest and fruit crops, as well as rice, wheat, rapeseed, and other field crops. The main sources of income for villagers are labor export, tea... More detailed information about Houchong Village++

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Henan Province