Nanyan Ancient Temple

Nanyan Ancient Temple

Nanyan Ancient Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Nanyan Ancient Temple is located on Feifeng Ridge in Dengfeng Village, Nanxi Town, Puning, Jieyang City, Guangdong Province, boasting magnificent and picturesque scenery. With a long history, abundant cultural relics, and rich cultural landscapes, the temple houses the largest collection of jade Buddha statues in terms of scale and quantity in China, earning it the reputation of the "Oriental Kingdom of Jade Buddhas."

The founding abbot who oversaw the temple's expansion and renovation is Master Shi Hai Zhao Miao Kong, the 31st lineage holder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism and the supervisor of Dayuanzhao Temple at Lingjiu Middle Peak on Mount Wutai.

Renovation and expansion began in March 2004. To date, more than ten projects have been completed, including the Mahavira Hall and the Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda. The overall construction plan for the temple will extend to cover all the mountainous areas of Feifeng Ridge and the plains to the north, spanning a total area of over 3,000 acres. The next phase will involve more than twenty projects, including the Wuji Palace (Recitation Hall) and the Five Directional Buddha Hall. All eminent monks, distinguished guests, and insightful individuals are welcome to visit, offer guidance, contribute ideas, and jointly foster a profound Dharma connection.

The long history of Nanyan Ancient Temple is well known. However, there has been no definitive verification regarding exactly when the temple was built, as various accounts have been passed down through the ages, making it seem like a profound mystery. As the renovation and expansion project progresses, this question has drawn attention from devotees and people from all walks of life. The following historical materials are compiled for reference.

Generations of villagers around the temple have long believed that its history dates back to the Shang Dynasty, when it was originally called "Qingniu Cave." The main hall was first built during the Tang Dynasty, and incense burning flourished even then. In August and September 2005, while excavating the foundation for the Mahavira Hall, the construction team unearthed eight or nine stone pillar fragments. Experts identified their style as being from the Tang Dynasty and speculated that the pillars were broken and buried due to an earthquake. Based on the size of the pillars, it can be inferred that the temple was already quite large during the Tang Dynasty.

According to written records, the early Ming Dynasty saw the involvement of Zhang Rishen and Tang Boyuan in the temple’s restoration. At that time, the temple was known by two names: “Nanyan” and “Qingniu Cave.”