Gaoyao Baolian Temple

Gaoyao Baolian Temple

Gaoyao Baolian Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Gaoyao Baolian Temple is located on Baolian Terrace, a small hill (also known as Turtle Hill) to the north of Liantang urban area, about 9 kilometers from the city center. To the north, it connects with Guangdong Film Studio, and to the east, it faces Shenfuyan, together forming a tourist route known as the “Zero Line” (Baolian Temple, Shenfuyan, Film Studio, and Lianjiang Scenic Area).

According to the Gaoyao County Annals, Baolian Temple was built during the Kaixi years of the Song Dynasty (approximately 1205–1207 AD), making it over 790 years old. It served as a branch temple of Qingyun Temple in Dinghu and underwent renovations in the 18th year of the Kangxi reign (1679), the 35th year of the Qianlong reign (1770), and the 22nd year of the Daoguang reign (1838) of the Qing Dynasty. For centuries, worshippers from near and far flocked here, and the temple enjoyed flourishing incense offerings. By the late 1950s, due to years of neglect, it gradually collapsed.

With the advent of reform and opening up, peace returned to the land. To promote Buddhism and preserve this historical heritage, many dedicated individuals proposed restoring the ancient Baolian Temple. Approved by the Religious Affairs Bureau of Guangdong Province, the Preparatory Committee for the Reconstruction of Baolian Temple was established in July 1995. The groundbreaking ceremony took place in February 1996, and the first phase of construction was largely completed by October of the same year. Over the following years, through continued expansion, the temple has been gradually improved and now presents a completely renewed appearance.

The reconstructed Baolian Temple was built largely according to its original scale and structure. The main hall’s first and second sections, as well as the King of Kings Hall and the Guanyin Hall, have been completed. The plaque reading “Baolian Temple” above the main gate and the traditional couplet “Heaven opens an ancient temple, leaving golden cases behind; Earth raises layered terraces, revealing precious lotuses” were both inscribed by the renowned traditional Chinese medicine practitioner Mr. Liang Jianbo. The first section serves as an entrance hall, with the Maitreya Buddha enshrined in the center and Skanda (Weituo) at the back. The second section houses the Mahavira Hall, where the Three Jewels Buddha is enshrined in the center, with Guanyin Bodhisattva on the eastern side and the King of Kings on the western side. Behind the main hall are the Jade Repository Hall and the Guanyin Hall. After renovation, monks recite scriptures daily at the temple, and worshippers come in an endless stream to burn incense and pray for blessings.

Baolian Temple has a long history, with many historic sites, touching stories, and folk legends. One widely circulated tale is that of the “Pond of Spotted Fish,” which condemns those who mistreat the elderly while also praising the noble virtues of the story’s protagonist. It is said that during the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty, in Daxiang Village, there lived an elderly man named Feng Dayou who owned over 100 acres of farmland. His wife had passed away early, and he had a son who was already married. In his old age, Feng became weak and blind, but his daughter-in-law treated him poorly, often hurling sarcastic remarks at him. She forbade him from eating at the family table and only gave him leftovers. His son was equally unfilial and turned a blind eye. Feng could only endure the mistreatment silently. One day, his son caught a large spotted catfish and asked his wife to cook it. At dinner, the son noticed the fish head was missing and asked his wife about it. She replied that she had given it to the “old ghost” (referring to Feng). Furious, the son scolded her, saying that the cheek meat of the catfish is the most tender and delicious part. His wife smirked and pointed to the dish, claiming she had scraped off the cheek meat. Upon hearing this, Feng became enraged and made up his mind. He took out all the land deeds from his chest and, in the dead of night, made his way blindly to Baolian Temple. There, he told the abbot about his son’s unfilial behavior and donated all his land to the temple as its property. The abbot anticipated that Feng’s son would not let this go and would come demanding the return of the land. So, the next morning, he set the land deeds on fire. As expected, the son rushed over upon hearing the news, only to retrieve a few unburnt pages, staring helplessly at a pile of ashes. Regretting deeply, he could do nothing. Later, the 100 acres of land opposite the original Baolian Temple became temple property and was referred to by locals as the “Pond of Spotted Fish.”