Rao Ping Renshou Temple

Rao Ping Renshou Temple

Renshou Temple in Rao Ping is a cultural tourism attraction.

Renshou Temple

Renshou Temple in Rao Ping County Renshou Temple is situated on the “Elephant Land” slope of Shuikou in Raoyang Town, Rao Ping County. It was first built during the Ming Dynasty and was reconstructed from 1997 to the following year, gaining official registration and opening on June 29, 1998.

The temple is said to have been established in the early Ming period. Qiu Chengyuan, the founding ancestor of the Qiu clan from Xishan Village, along with his son Shizhao, initiated the building of the temple with fellow villagers. He donated a section of paddy field by the belly pond as funding for incense and lamp offerings and built a small number of simple living quarters. Over the dynasties, the temple underwent various renovations. It is known that in the 53rd year of the Kangxi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1714) and during the Bingzi year of Qianlong (1756), the monk Benyi presided over the reconstructions. From 1952, the site was repurposed as a grain storage facility. Starting in 1982, Xu Yeping, a cadre from the Xinfeng Supply and Marketing Cooperative and a native of Chaoyang, actively promoted fundraising efforts for temple repairs. Later, the monk Shida (a disciple of Hongchan, originally from Ancun in Chao’an County, now residing at a hermitage in downtown Shantou and serving as the abbot of Zifengyan in Zhapeng District) was invited to take charge. Traveling between Rao Ping and Shantou, he repaired the ancient temple, supervised the creation of Buddha statues, and built the Tian Gong Pavilion, among other projects. From 1997 to the following year, the Main Hall (Mahavira Hall) and monks’ quarters were reconstructed, covering a construction area of 500 square meters. Other structures such as the Prajna Hall and Merit Hall remained unfinished due to lack of funds. During the roof demolition phase of reconstruction, five cloth strips were discovered buried at the head of a supporting beam, each inscribed with the phrase “renovated every Jiazi year,” which was regarded as quite miraculous.

Source: Chaozhou Government Website

Raoyang Town: Raoyang Town is located in the northern mountainous region of Rao Ping County, at 116°87′ east longitude and 24°29′ north latitude, covering an area of 84.7 square kilometers. It borders Xiuhui Township in Fujian Province to the east, Jianrao Town to the south, Xinfeng Town and Jiucun Town to the west, and Shangrao Town to the north. The area features continuous mountain ranges stretching from east to west, characterized by north-south oriented high peaks. The climate is subtropical maritime, with mild seasons and an average annual temperature of 21.7°C, and average annual rainfall of 1,600 millimeters. The total population of Raoyang Town is 59,666, including 59,331 Han Chinese and 335 members of the She ethnic group. The town administers 25 villages and one neighborhood committee... More detailed information about Raoyang Town++