Huangmei Fifth Ancestor Temple

Huangmei Fifth Ancestor Temple

Huangmei Fifth Ancestor Temple is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a key cultural relic protection unit in China.

Also known as Dongshan Temple, the Fifth Ancestor Temple is located on Dongshan Mountain, 13 kilometers north of Huangmei County. It was the preaching site of the Fifth Patriarch of Chinese Zen Buddhism, Master Hongren, and the place where the Sixth Patriarch, Master Huineng, received the robe and bowl. It holds an extremely important position in the history of Chinese Buddhism and is also a renowned tourist destination. Moreover, it enjoys great prestige internationally, particularly in Southeast Asian countries such as Japan and India.

Dongshan, also known as Fengmao Mountain, has an elevation of 800 meters and enjoys a pleasant climate. The magnificent temple complex is situated among the mountain peaks. The Fifth Ancestor Temple was personally founded by Master Hongren in the fifth year of the Yonghui era during the Tang Dynasty (654 AD). Master Hongren, whose secular surname was Zhou, was a native of Zhuogang in Huangmei County. He was born in the first year of the Renshou era during the Sui Dynasty (601 AD) and passed away in the second year of the Shangyuan era during the Tang Dynasty (657 AD) at the age of 74.

The temple flourished immensely from the Tang to the Qing Dynasties, especially during the Tang and Song periods, housing over a thousand halls, pavilions, and towers, with more than a thousand monks, and producing over a hundred eminent monks throughout its history. Since its establishment, the temple has attracted tens of thousands of pilgrims annually, along with numerous literati and poets who visited and left behind many admiring verses. Emperor Daizong of the Tang Dynasty conferred the title “Great Fullness Chan Master” upon Master Hongren, and the Southern Tang Dynasty further honored him as Guanghua Chan Master. Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty renamed the temple “True Wisdom Chan Monastery,” while Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty inscribed the plaque “Ancestral Court of the World.” Emperor Huizong of the Song also bestowed the title “Chan Forest of the World.” Emperor Wenzong of the Yuan Dynasty honored Master Hongren with the Dharma name “Wonderful Circle Universal Awakening Chan Master” and renamed the temple “Dongshan Fifth Ancestor Temple,” commonly referred to as the Fifth Ancestor Temple, a name that has been used to this day.

The Fifth Ancestor Temple boasts beautiful scenery and numerous historical sites. From Yitian Gate to Bailian Peak, the route features dozens of attractions including the Sakyamuni and Prabhutaratna Buddha Pagoda, Er’tian Gate, Thousand Buddha Pagoda, Dong Pagoda Forest, Ten Directions Buddha Pagoda, Feihong Bridge, Qiuer Pagoda, Youpu Tree, Hand-Washing Pool, Fountainspring, Tongtian Path, Dharma Cave, Chessboard Stone, Great Fullness Chan Master Pagoda, Dharma-Preaching Platform, Elephant Stone, Radiant Stone, Flying Stone, Defu Stone Carvings, Bailian Pool, Bailian Peak, Alms Bowl Stone, and Biyu, among others.

Over the centuries, the Fifth Ancestor Temple has undergone many trials. It was last destroyed in the fourth year of the Xianfeng era during the Qing Dynasty (1854 AD), leaving only a dozen or so halls, pavilions, and some historical sites. After the liberation, the temple and its sites were well protected. Since the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee, with the comprehensive implementation of the Party’s religious policies, the Huangmei County Party Committee and County Government have placed great emphasis on the reconstruction of the temple, allocating special funds and establishing dedicated teams for restoration. In 1985, the Fifth Ancestor Temple was approved by the State Council as a nationally key open temple in Han Chinese regions. In November 1994, at the First International Academic Symposium on Zen Buddhism and Chinese Culture held in Huangmei County, the Fifth Ancestor Temple was designated as the birthplace of Chinese Zen Buddhism, and Master Hongren as its founder. With the continuous development of China’s socialist construction, the Fifth Ancestor Temple will surely present a new look in the near future, attracting even more domestic and international tourists.

Scenic Overview

Yitian Gate: A four-legged stone gatehouse resting on the ground, spanning the ancient post road at the eastern and southern foothills.

At the fork in the road leading north to the Fifth Ancestor Temple. Upon entering this gate and heading north for a short distance, you’ll see the Sakyamuni and Prabhutaratna Tathagata on a small hill ahead.

Pagoda, built through donations in the third year of the Xuanhe era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1121). The pagoda is octagonal with five levels, standing over 6 meters tall, with delicate and exquisite carvings.

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Feihong Bridge: Originally built during the Yuan Dynasty. This bridge spans across a mountain valley, featuring a single arch, measuring 33.65 meters in length and 8.45 meters in height. It is majestic and resembles a flying rainbow. Stone archways stand at both ends, and beneath the bridge, spring water splashes, with waterfalls cascading down cliff faces.

Six ancient Phoebe nanmu trees (commonly known as Youpu Trees), the largest of which has a girth of four people, stands 28 meters tall, and covers an area of nearly one acre.

Four Major Halls: The Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, Vairocana Hall, and True Body Hall. The Heavenly King Hall and Mahavira Hall are newly reconstructed structures, simple yet imposing; the Vairocana Hall was originally built during the Dazhong era of the Tang Dynasty (847–859), and the existing hall was later rebuilt through donations by people from Macheng, hence it is also called the Macheng Hall. It was renovated in 1985 and renamed the Vairocana Hall. The True Body Hall, also known as the Patriarch Hall, is where the true body of the Fifth Patriarch, Master Hongren, is enshrined. It was originally located below the Dharma-Preaching Platform and was built in the fifth year of the Xianheng era of the Tang Dynasty (674) by Master Hongren’s disciple Xuanze before his passing. In the second year of the Yuanyou era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1087), it was relocated to its current site and renovated. This hall features ingenious architectural design and a grand, majestic form, with a bell pavilion on the left and a drum pavilion on the right at the front. The two pavilions are identically designed, symmetrical to each other, and connected to the main hall. Their upturned eaves and brackets are adorned with carved bird figures. The central part is the main hall, above whose front door hangs a plaque inscribed “True Body Hall.” On either side of the front entrance are golden-painted dragons on large pillars, and the crossbeam above the doorway is carved with hollowed-out dragons playing with a pearl. The roof is topped with nine dragons, and the sides are decorated with carved bricks. At the rear center of the main hall is the Fahyu Pagoda, where the true body of the Fifth Patriarch is enshrined. The upper walls of the pagoda are covered with hundreds of small stone-carved Buddha statues and inscribed plaques.

Seven Side Halls: To the east of the main hall are the Guan Yu Hall, Songbai Hall, Yanshou Nunnery, Jidi Nunnery, Huayan Nunnery, Buddha Hall, Guest Hall, Dining Hall, and Kitchen; to the west are the Changchun Nunnery, Goddess Hall, Abbot’s Quarters, Supervisor’s Room, Storage Room, and smaller rooms.

Fifth Ancestor Great Treasure Pagoda: Built in the 21st year of the Republic of China (1932), it is the burial site of the Fifth Ancestor’s relics (ashes). (The Fifth Ancestor’s true body was destroyed in the 16th year of the Republic of China.)

Dharma-Preaching Platform: It is said that the Fifth Ancestor, Master Hongren, and subsequent abbots all preached here. The platform is built from sandstone slabs, facing south, backed by a mountain ridge, with a cliff dropping thousands of feet to the west. Climbing onto the platform offers a vast view, as if one is in a heavenly realm.

Bailian Pool: Built by the Fifth Ancestor, Master Hongren. The white lotus in the pool was also planted by him. To this day, the white lotus thrives, standing gracefully with lush green leaves and fragrant white blossoms.

Alms Bowl Stone: A natural rock standing 6 meters high and 9 meters in diameter, jutting out of the ground like a crescent moon. Legend says it was transformed from Master Hongren’s alms bowl.

Hand-Washing Pool: Dug by Master Hongren when he first built the temple, it is carved from a natural rock on Bailian Peak and shaped like a foot basin. Whether sunny or rainy, the pool always contains half its volume of water—never drying up nor overflowing, considered a marvel.

Transportation

You can take a bus directly from Wuhan’s Fujiapo Long-Distance Bus Station to Huangmei County, a two-and-a-half-hour journey via highway. After arriving in Huangmei County, take a minibus to Dongshan in Wuzu Town. Alternatively, you can travel from Jiujiang in Jiangxi to Huangmei, with the trip from Jiujiang to Huangmei taking just 20 minutes.

Food · Accommodation · Shopping

The vegetarian food at the Fifth Ancestor Temple is highly regarded, featuring a variety of dishes, unique presentations, and rich nutrition.

Address: Beside Township Road 059, Huangmei County, Huanggang City

Type: Temple

Recommended Visit Duration: 2–3 hours

Phone: 0713-3781576

Ticket Information:

Public Price: 10.0 RMB

Wuzu Town: Located in the northern mountainous area of Huangmei County, Wuzu Town combines mountainous, reservoir, and former revolutionary base characteristics, and is one of the key poverty alleviation towns in the province. The town covers an area of 93.4 square kilometers, comprising 3 communities, 18 administrative villages, 203 villager groups, 6,234 households, and a total population of 24,555.

In 2014, the social gross production value increased by 12%, total fixed asset investment in society reached 650 million RMB, up 23.7%, added value of large-scale industries was 9 million RMB, up 19%, fiscal revenue was 16 million RMB, up 30%, and the per capita net income of farmers was... Detailed information about Wuzu Town++

Further Reading:

· First Batch of Hubei Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units