Raoping Puguang Chan Temple

Raoping Puguang Chan Temple

Raoping Puguang Chan Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Puguang Chan Temple

Puguang Chan Temple, located at Zhuogangkou in Jiaxi, Jiangzhou Town, Raoping County, faces northeast and southwest. It stands in distant alignment with Leiyin Chan Temple on Shipishan Mountain, with their lights visible to each other. Established in the second year of the Republic of China (1913), it was renovated in 1984 under the advocacy of Venerable Dinghui. The temple complex consists of three halls, eight rooms, and two connecting passageways, exquisitely built on a site of over one acre. The main structure is enclosed by walls, forming a spacious courtyard.

The temple was first built in 1913, during the transition from the late Qing Dynasty to the early Republic of China—a time plagued by wars, natural disasters such as droughts and floods, and widespread suffering. Banditry was rampant, livelihoods were destroyed, and starvation was common. At that time, local elders, driven by compassion, pooled resources to build this relief center, aiming to provide tea, congee, collect the remains of the deceased, and aid the impoverished. It was thus named Puguangmingtang (Temple of Universal Light). In 1984, under the restoration efforts of Venerable Dinghui, support was sought from monastic elders, devotees, and overseas Chinese, especially with strong assistance from Venerable Dingyin in Hong Kong and the advocacy of laywoman Shihua, who gained backing from relevant authorities, leading to the temple’s rebuilding.

Upon entering the courtyard, one is greeted by lush greenery—vibrant roses and fragrant magnolia blossoms—that makes it easy to forget the proximity to urban bustle, feeling instead like a serene retreat ideal for spiritual practice. Passing through the floral grounds, you reach the temple’s left, middle, and right gates. The central gate features a stone plaque inscribed with the four bold characters “Puguang Chan Temple” in regular script. The main hall in the central section houses the Mahavira Hall. Inside, a statue of Sakyamuni Buddha stands approximately two meters tall, flanked by statues of Arhat Ananda, Kassapa Bodhisattva, Skanda Bodhisattva, and Mahakala Bodhisattva—all exquisitely carved by renowned artisans from Suzhou, gleaming with gold and radiating solemn dignity. Today, the temple has been completely revitalized, offering a tranquil Buddhist sanctuary amidst the bustling surroundings.

Source: Chaozhou Government Website

Jiangzhou Town: Jiangzhou, anciently known as Yingzhou, was established in the late Tang Dynasty and is one of the officially recognized towns in Guangdong Province after the founding of the People’s Republic. Located along the southern coast of Raoping County and west of the 300-Door Port in Chaozhou City, the town covers a total area of 42.6 square kilometers, with a coastline of 10.5 kilometers and a marine area of 26.4 square kilometers. Rich in marine resources, it ranks among the top in the county for aquaculture, particularly its fat, delicious, and widely exported cultivated oysters (commonly called “big oysters”), earning it the title “Hometown of Big Oysters.” The town’s land area spans 16.2 square kilometers, including a 4-square-kilometer town center... More details about Jiangzhou Town ++