Ancient Temple of Yan

Ancient Temple of Yan

The Ancient Temple of Yan is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Ancient Temple of Yan was first built in 66 BC during the reign of Emperor Ming of Han, Liu Zhuang, to enshrine the founders of the state religion: Yuanshi Tianzun and Laozi. At that time, the ancient temple was bustling with incense and blessed the people. In the 21st year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty, Yu Chijingde, also known as Yu Chijingde, the commander of the left cavalry, was ordered to renovate the temple and recast the golden statues. As time passed and ages changed, this thousand-year-old temple has endured many vicissitudes. Mr. Sun Hongwen, an entrepreneur from Tangshan, and lay Buddhist Fang Dongmei, inspired by the spiritual beauty of the site, sought to benefit the local community, promote Buddhism, and bestow blessings upon all beings, thus harboring a grand aspiration. They funded the reconstruction of the Ancient Temple of Yan. The foundation stone was laid on November 17, 2007, and the ancient temple was reborn with a new look. The surrounding landscape became more beautiful with the temple, and the Buddhist connection lasted as long as the heavens. The Ancient Temple of Yan flourished and shone even more brilliantly.

The entire temple complex is built in the highest classical style of the Ming and Qing dynasties, featuring carved windows and painted beams, bracket sets and upturned eaves. The carved doors and windows are made of premium materials and crafted with exquisite skill. The gilded paintings use the most prestigious form of traditional Chinese architecture — the Golden Dragon and Imperial Seal design. The entire temple stands majestically, resplendent in gold and splendor. To promote the profound culture of Buddhism and the rich heritage of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Mahavira Hall enshrines the Eastern Medicine Buddha of the Lapis Lazuli Radiance, flanked by the Sunlight and Moonlight Bodhisattvas, with the Twelve Divine Generals serving as guardian deities and ten renowned Chinese physicians attending in side halls. In the Heavenly King Hall, the Laughing Buddha greets devotees with a broad smile, while the Four Heavenly Kings glare fiercely at worldly evils. Skanda faces north, guarding the ancient ginkgo tree in the courtyard, and the Two Deva Kings strictly guard the temple gates. The deities pray for the people’s freedom from disaster and illness, and the Buddha bestows happiness and health upon the world. The bell and drum towers are designed in an elegant and classic style, with morning bells and evening drums spreading the timeless vows of the Buddha. The sounds of Buddhist chants bathe the sincere, and this sacred temple forever guides all sentient beings.

The main structure of the temple is the Medicine Buddha Hall, which enshrines the Lapis Lazuli Medicine Buddha. Flanking him are the Sunlight and Moonlight Bodhisattvas, with the Twelve Divine Generals arranged on both sides. The assembly of Buddhas resonates with the ancient ginkgo tree in the courtyard, praying for the people’s freedom from disaster and illness, and blessing the world with happiness and health. The hall is resplendent in gold, with paintings using the highest-grade Golden Dragon and Imperial Seal designs of traditional architecture. The ceiling features gilded bracket sets that shimmer with auspicious light. The side halls to the east and west of the courtyard enshrine the Ten Eminent Physicians, the Heavenly King Hall houses the Four Heavenly Kings, the ever-smiling Laughing Buddha, and a stern yet majestic Skanda facing north. The temple gate has a unique design, featuring a hip-and-gable roof with relief carvings of the Two Deva Kings on either side of the central bay.