Dabeiyen

Dabeiyen

Dabeiyen was first built in 1750 during the Ming Dynasty's Longqing era, rebuilt in the late Qing Dynasty, and extensively renovated and expanded since 1983 under the funding of Abbot Shi Xinyin. The temple now shines brilliantly amidst beautiful forests and valleys, adorned with a collection of plaques, couplets, and exquisite stone carvings. It was listed as a cultural relic protection unit of Chaoyang City in 1993, and together with the nearby Xiaobeiyen to the south, it is a renowned tourist attraction.

The ancient temple suffered damage during the Cultural Revolution. Since 1983, Abbot Shi Xinyin, dedicated to continuing the Buddhist legacy, worked tirelessly day and night. Thanks to generous donations from supporters both at home and abroad, the entire temple complex has been renovated and expanded anew, showcasing its majestic presence. Roads have also been constructed for convenient access by worshippers. The temple faces northwest and is situated southeast, built along the mountain slope, with a total construction area of 4,000 square meters and an overall investment of about 10 million yuan.

Upon entering the mountain gate, one can see a north-south row of halls: the Ancestral Masters’ Hall, Maitreya Hall, Kṣitigarbha Pavilion, Mahavira Hall, Guanyin Pavilion, the Jade Buddha Hall behind the pavilion, the Vajra Cave behind the hall, the Scripture Depository, and the Thousand Buddha Pavilion. On the southern slope of the temple, a new Universal Columbarium has been built at an investment of about 800,000 yuan. This two-story structure can accommodate 3,000 urn niches and was completed in 1990. On the ground floor is the tomb pagoda of the eminent monk Shi Genkuan from the Republican era, standing 3 meters tall and constructed from standard stone blocks. On the hillside below the Mahavira Hall, the tomb pagodas of three great masters, including Shi Lioding from the Republican period, have been preserved.

Surrounding the sacred temple, undulating rocks, competing springs and woods, fragrant flowers, singing birds, the sound of bells and wooden fish, and the serene ambiance of Zen all help to dispel worldly worries.