Nanyang Xuanmiao Temple

Nanyang Xuanmiao Temple

Nanyang Xuanmiao Temple is a protected cultural heritage site of Henan Province.

Nanyang Xuanmiao Temple, one of China’s Four Famous Taoist Temples, is located in Nanyang City, Henan Province, a nationally designated historical and cultural city.

According to the Chronicles of Ethnic Religions in Nanyang, during the Jianwu era of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Empress Huyang, the elder sister of Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu, built the Lianzhen Palace in Yuzhou (now Fangcheng County, Nanyang), marking the beginning of Taoist activity in Nanyang. Temples such as the Sanxianshan Temple in the county, the Huangshishan Immortal’s Temple, the Jiufen Duo Ancestral Temple and the Empress Iron Ox Temple in Nanzhao County, and the Laojun Hall in Nanyang County were all built during the Eastern Han period. In the sixth year of the Yanxi reign during the reign of Emperor Huan of Han (163 AD), the Nanyang Prefect Lu Nu of Zhongshan visited Gumen in Tongbai County to conduct sacrifices and expanded and renovated the Huaihe Temple. In March of the first year of the Zhongping reign during the reign of Emperor Ling of Han (184 AD), Zhang Mancheng, leader of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, “attacked and killed the various prefectural officials in Nanyang Xuanmiao Temple, stationed his troops under Wancheng… In June, Zhao Hong led over 100,000 followers to occupy Wancheng” (Book of the Later Han). This large-scale armed struggle of the peasant uprising army, mobilized under the banner of the Way of Great Peace, fully reflected the widespread dissemination of Taoism in Nanyang and its deep-rooted popular support.

Nanyang Xuanmiao Temple is located by the Meixi River in the northwest corner of Wancheng, now on the north side of Jianshe Middle Road in Nanyang City, facing the north gate of the Municipal People’s Park across the road. It currently serves as the seat of the People’s Government of Wancheng District. The temple was originally the Laojun Hall of Nanyang from the Eastern Han period. During the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty, Xuanmiao Temple was constructed on the foundation of the Laojun Hall. As the Dao De Jing states: “Mysterious and again mysterious, the gateway to all wonders,” the name “Xuanmiao” (Mysterious Wonder) signifies the profound teachings of Taoism. Additions were made in the fourth year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty, expansions in the second year of the Zhengtong reign, and further renovations during the Jiaqing and Wanli eras. Throughout the Qing Dynasty, repairs were carried out continuously during the Shunzhi, Kangxi, Qianlong, and Xianfeng reigns. After hundreds of years of development, Xuanmiao Temple grew increasingly grand, reaching its peak with 75 deities, over 310 halls and rooms, covering an area of more than 150 acres, and possessing over 70 hectares of farmland. With resident monks and Taoists often exceeding a hundred, it became a renowned Taoist site in the Central Plains. The Qing Dynasty’s Kangxi Gazetteer recorded that “(Xuanmiao Temple) excelled in gardens and pavilions among all counties, housing hundreds of Taoist practitioners, making it the foremost Taoist temple southwest of the capital.”

After the liberation, the Nanyang County People’s Government was housed in Xuanmiao Temple, and Taoist activities ceased. In 1978, the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China rectified past mistakes, and the Party’s religious policies were fully implemented. The Nanyang Municipal Government issued a directive to reopen Dushan Ancestral Temple and relocated Xuanmiao Temple to the foot of Dushan Mountain. In 2000, Xuanmiao Temple was rebuilt. With strong support and assistance from relevant parties, land was acquired, and halls such as the Three Pure Ones Hall, the Goddess Hall, the Medicine King Hall, and the Taigong Hall have now been constructed. This move has drawn attention both at home and abroad, and the prospects for restoring Xuanmiao Temple and reviving one of Taoism’s Four Great Monasteries are bright.

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Protected Cultural Heritage Sites of Henan Province