Wugang Yunshan Shengli Temple

Wugang Yunshan Shengli Temple

Wugang Yunshan Shengli Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Wugang Yunshan Shengli Temple has long been a scenic attraction of Wugang. It is said to have existed since the Sui and Tang dynasties, but according to existing stupa inscriptions, it was first founded by two Yuan Dynasty monks, Master Zhìhuì and Master Kècóng. By the Ming Dynasty, Masters Wúyá and Zhuānyú Guānhéng successively resided at the temple.

In the early Qing Dynasty, Master Yànjū Déshēn, a Dharma heir of Pòshān Hǎimíng, abandoned his long-established base in Qiannan due to doctrinal disputes and came to Hunan to propagate the Dharma in Wugang. He taught with direct methods, attracting many monks. Those who received his teachings all gained spiritual insight, and many advanced to higher levels. Forty-nine Dharma heirs spread out across various regions to propagate the teachings. Scholars and literati visited him frequently, and dozens of lay disciples received the Dharma transmission.

The lineage of Shengli Temple includes Master Yànjū Déshēn transmitting to Master Yúnshù Hézhī, who passed it to Master Zhōng Yuǎn Qiān, then to Master Tàifán Kūnzǔ, followed by Master Fúqì Táoxián, then to Master Sìyì Zhùxiàng, then to Master Yīyuán Hóngjìng, then to Master Jìngdēng Jūnzhào, then to Master Yìngchè Míliàng, then to Master Liùlán Lúnzhuó, then to Master Rúruì Fǎlǎng, then to Master Lǎng Fútián Jièlán, and so on. The Dharma lineage continued unbroken through generations of masters, each producing eminent monks who spread out across different areas. By the Guangxu era, Master Fútián Jièlán transmitted the Dharma to Master Dēng'àn Wànguī, and under Master Dēng'àn, Shengli Temple was revitalized. New halls were built, and an ordination platform was established, earning him the title “Central Revitalizing Patriarch of Yunshan Hall.” Master Dēng'àn Wànguī transmitted to Master Cízhāi Gǔrén. Master Cízhāi reestablished the sect, expounding the Forty-Eight Character Lineage to continue the tradition. Master Cízhāi Gǔrén transmitted to Master Kāiliàng Yīguāng, who passed it to Master Fúshén Xīnhào, then to Master Qílíng Zhìqú. Master Qílíng Zhìqú transmitted to Master Wú'ài, who passed it to Master Tuōyè Xuánmiào.

According to Hunan Buddhist records, Buddhism entered Hunan during the fourth year of the Taishi era (268) of the Western Jin Dynasty’s Emperor Wu, and Wugang subsequently developed, with temples being established. Over time, temples rose and fell with the ages. Yunshan inscriptions state that there were temples on Yunshan during the Tang Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Xizong of Tang, the monk Wúliàngshòufó resided at the temple, about 1,200 years ago. In the 12th year of the Jiading era (1219) of Emperor Ningzong of the Song Dynasty, Wugang Prefect Wáng Lìzhōng built a temple here, which was first named Shengli. During the Yuan Dynasty, the temple grounds were used to graze horses, and the temple was completely destroyed. In the 5th year of the Chenghua era (1469) of the Ming Dynasty, monks Zhìhuì and Kècóng found the original site and were determined to restore it. After 20 years, the restoration was completed. Temples such as Sānlǐ Ān, Wǔlǐ Ān, and Qīlǐ Ān were subsequently built.

In the early Wanli era (1573) of the Ming Dynasty, the eminent monk Wúyá from Nanyue further renovated the temple. After the renovation, the temple became grand in scale, outstanding in southern Hunan, and housed over 500 monks. Emperor Wanli praised Master Wúyá and bestowed upon him the Dragon Treasury and brocade robes. The robes are kept at Nanyue Fangguang Temple. In the 6th year of the Tianqi era (1626), Master Wúyá passed away, and the temple fell into disrepair again. In the 13th year of the Shunzhi era (1656) of the Qing Dynasty, Master Yànjū, at the request of the monastic community, took charge of the reconstruction. In the 13th year of the Kangxi era (1674), Bieyún Chan Monastery was built on Biéyún Peak, and a Dharma preaching platform was constructed in Shūfáng Cáo. The architecture was intricate, and the incense offerings flourished for a time. During the Jiaqing era (1796–1821), the number of monks in Wugang reached 3,849, with those at Shengli Temple outnumbering those of other temples. In the 33rd year of the Guangxu era (1907), the temple was destroyed by fire. Master Dēng'àn took the initiative to rebuild it, completing the work in three years. Later, due to lack of management, it was leveled. In 1984, Master Qílíng rebuilt the temple twice on the old site. Due to its limited scale, it could not accommodate the monastic community. In July 2000, with the approval of the municipal government and strong support, a major reconstruction was undertaken at a cost of 4.5 million yuan. The temple was divided into three sections: the Maitreya Hall in the front, the Guanyin Hall behind it, and the Mahavira Hall in the center, surrounded by corridors, forming a harmonious and integrated whole. It was the grandest in scale of all eras. The project was completed in May 2002.

Wugang Yunshan, bathed in winter sunlight. Yunshan is a scenic gem of southern Chu. Its seventy-one unique peaks boast scenery admired near and far; its sixty-ninth blessed land is renowned throughout history. Thus, it has been revered by Confucian scholars, Buddhists, and Taoists through the ages. The eminent Ming Dynasty monk Wúyá once presided over Shengli Temple on Yunshan, where he meditated in solitude for twenty years before entering nirvana. His stupa tomb is located on Yuèhuá Peak of Yunshan. He wrote the poem “Yunshan Scene”: “In solitude I dwell on lofty Yunshan’s height, / No need to bar my rustic gate from light. / Snow-moonbeams shine in azure vaults above, / Vines climb where fate may lead them on with love. / I shift the rugged stones that block the way, / And smooth the winding paths grown old and gray. / I know too well how busy folks behave; / I’d rather laze here free from care and crape.”

Zhang Wenren of Jiangxi in the Ming Dynasty, who served as an imperial censor and was later appointed governor of Guangdong, was sent to Wugang on a mission to the Minfan King (he later became governor of Guangdong). He wrote the poem “Climbing Wugang Yunshan”: “The sun and moon atop the peaks touch the wilderness, / The purple towers of the palace rise lush and dense. / A thousand winding steps wind up through clouds, / Nine turns upward as if ascending in dreams. / Leaning on the rail, I almost touch the North Star, / As if I’ve reached the Western Paradise afar. / In this fleeting life, I often rise at dawn, / Ashamed before the monks in their green bamboo lawn.”

Wu Congqián of Jingning (now Yunhe County, Zhejiang) in the Qing Dynasty, who served as prefect of Wugang from the 16th year of the Shunzhi era (1659) to the 6th year of the Kangxi era (1667), wrote the poem “Climbing Yunshan on the Ninth Day”: “The verdant peaks of Yunshan resemble Penglai, / On this ninth day, my joy in climbing is profound. / A rainbow spans the cliffs where immortals roam, / Deer bring auspicious fungi thrice found. / On perilous cliffs, I call for my cane with fear, / Autumn chrysanthemums in clusters I hold near. / Why do worldly folk never come this way? / Around the elixir pool, moss grows in array.”

Wang Changling, a famous poet of the Tang Dynasty, wrote in “Farewell to Chai Shiyu on His Way to Wugang”: “The Yuan River flows to join Wugang’s shore, / Though parting, I feel no sorrow or more. / One mountain range shares cloud and rain with you, / The bright moon shines—we’re still in view.”