Chenglíng Pagoda of Línjì Temple

Chenglíng Pagoda of Línjì Temple

Chenglíng Pagoda is a national key cultural relics protection unit.

Chenglíng Pagoda of Línjì Temple is located within Línjì Temple on the east side of Shēngmín Street in Zhèngdìng County. Commonly known as the Blue Pagoda or the Robe and Alms Bowl Pagoda, it is a national key cultural relics protection unit.

The Chenglíng Pagoda stands 30.7 meters tall and is a solid, closely-eaved pagoda. Below the pagoda is a broad octagonal stone base, upon which a Sumeru pedestal is built. The waist of the pedestal features highly ornate carvings of exotic flowers and birds. Above that are brick-carved wooden-style bracket sets, balconies, and railings; further up, there is a three-tiered brick lotus base supporting the main body of the pagoda. The first tier of the pagoda body is quite tall, with a pair of false arched doors on the front and false lattice windows on the sides. The corners are accentuated with circular pillars. The eight tiers of eaves on the pagoda body are placed very close to each other, giving the impression of densely layered eaves. Overall, apart from the first tier’s brackets and the corner beams which are made of wood, all other eaves’ bracket sets and balcony railings are imitation wooden structures crafted in brick. The pagoda top features a brick-carved finial base, with an iron-made spire, upturned moon, and precious jewel, adding solemnity to the Buddhist pagoda.

The Chenglíng Pagoda is exquisitely designed, beautifully shaped, richly ornamented, and structurally dynamic, making it a fine example of closely-eaved pagodas. However, due to the passage of time, it had become severely damaged. Therefore, in 1985, a major restoration was undertaken. The tiled roofs of each tier, damaged bracket sets, brick carvings, bronze mirrors, and more were all repaired, giving the pagoda a completely renewed appearance.

Línjì Temple is a temple with a long history. Its predecessor, Línjì Monastery, was founded in the second year of the Xīnghé era of the Eastern Wei Dynasty (540 AD), about two li southeast of the city in Línjì Village. During the late Tang Dynasty, the Chan master Yìxuán resided at this monastery and founded the Línjì School of Chan Buddhism. Followers from all directions came here to study under him, leading to a period of great prosperity. Yìxuán, a native of Nánhuá in Cáozhōu (now Dōngmíng County, Shāndōng Province) during the Tang Dynasty, traveled across the country in pursuit of the true essence of Buddhism and studied under various masters. He received teachings from the eminent monk Xīyùn of Huángniè Mountain in Hóngzhōu, and deeply studied Buddhist scriptures and precepts. In the eighth year of the Dàzhōng era of Emperor Xuānzong of Tang (854 AD), he returned north to his hometown, arriving at Zhènzhōu City in Héběi (now Zhèngdìng), where he took charge of Línjì Monastery. He not only spread the widely popular Chan Buddhism of the south to the north but also, with the bold and vigorous spirit of northern people, expounded new interpretations of Chan Buddhism, pioneering new developments in its doctrine. He was erudite, had a stern Chan style, attracted many disciples, and founded his own school, naming the sect after the temple as the Línjì School, which became one of the five major branches of Chinese Chan Buddhism.

In the eighth year of the Xián táng era of the Tang Dynasty (867 AD), Yìxuán passed away. Emperor Yìzōng posthumously honored him with the title “Huìzhào Chan Master.” His disciples built the Robe and Alms Bowl Pagoda in the southeastern corner of the city to bury him, naming it “Chenglíng Pagoda.” Subsequently, Línjì Monastery was moved to this location and renamed Línjì Temple. It was renovated during the Dàdìng era of the Jīn Dynasty (1161–1189 AD). In the twelfth year of the Yōngzhèng era of the Qing Dynasty (1734 AD), Emperor Yìnzhēn posthumously bestowed Yìxuán with the title “Zhēncháng Huìzhào Chan Master.” At the same time, the temple, by imperial decree, embedded a stone plaque with seal script reading “Táng Línjì Huìzhào Chenglíng Pagoda” at the top of the round arch door lintel on the first tier of the pagoda.

After the Song Dynasty, the two major branches of Chan Buddhism — the Línjì and Cáodòng schools — flourished especially, giving rise to the saying “Línjì spreads across the world, Cáodòng fills half the sky.” Later, the Línjì School was introduced to Japan, where “disciples gathered in multitudes, revered by both court and commoners,” becoming one of the major sects of Japanese Buddhism. This sect regards Línjì Temple as its ancestral temple and views Chenglíng Pagoda as one of its important ancestral stupas. Therefore, in recent years, it has repeatedly sent delegations to pay homage to the ancestral pagoda and engage in Buddhist cultural exchanges. Chenglíng Pagoda is not only a historical witness to the friendship between the Chinese and Japanese peoples but also a bond that promotes enduring friendship between the two nations.

The temple was handed over to Buddhist organizations by the cultural relics management department in 1984. After 1986, the Great Buddha’s Hall, Fǎrǔ Hall, Chuándēng Hall, and the Mountain Gate Hall were successively rebuilt, making it a renowned temple in Zhèngdìng.

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Key Cultural Relics Protection Units in Hebei Province

· Fifth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units