Fuchuan Ciyun Temple

Fuchuan Ciyun Temple

Fuchuan Ciyun Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Ciyun Temple, also known as Zhenjiang Ciyun Temple, covers a total area of 598 square meters. It was first built in the 16th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1677), and underwent renovations in the 56th year of Kangxi (1717) and the 11th year of Qianlong (1746).

Rui Guang Pagoda, commonly known as the Guanyin Pagoda or Guanyin Pavilion.

The pagoda is a seven-story pavilion-style structure with hexagonal bricks, standing 28 meters tall. Its foundation is 4.8 meters deep, and the spire is crowned with a 400-kilogram bronze finial. Inside the pagoda, there are 78 spiral brick steps leading all the way to the top.

Above the temple’s entrance is a blue plaque inscribed with three gilded characters: “Ciyun Temple.” On either side of the gate hangs a couplet: “The compassionate boat ferries souls—five hundred years of incense shine on the southern peak; clouds and waters bestow grace—the rugged peaks frame Fuchuan’s beauty.” Flanking the couplet are lotus carvings, and on the walls beside them are inscriptions reading “Ciyun Protects the Land” and “Ruiyun Brings Auspiciousness.”

Stepping into the Hall of Heavenly Kings, one finds on the altar the jolly, big-bellied Maitreya Buddha clad in a red veil. Legend has it that during China’s Five Dynasties period, in Fenghua, Zhejiang, there lived a monk named “Qici” who often carried a cloth sack, preaching to the people and earning their devotion. Before his death, he uttered the verse: “The true Maitreya has countless manifestations, appearing to people at all times, yet people fail to recognize him.” Thus, people came to believe the cloth sack monk was the incarnation of Maitreya Buddha, and his statue was enshrined in temples.

The second hall is the Mahavira Hall, where the “Three Saints of Huayan”—Manjushri Bodhisattva, Shakyamuni Buddha, and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva—are seated in the shrine.

Shakyamuni Buddha has his hands folded over his feet. To his right is Manjushri Bodhisattva, whose right hand hangs down and whose left palm holds a lotus tower. To his left is Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, whose left hand hangs down and whose right palm holds a lotus tower. All Three Saints are seated in the lotus position atop lotus pedestals.

In front of the shrine stand two standing arhat statues: the elder one with clasped fists is called “Kasyapa,” and the middle-aged one with palms pressed together is called “Ananda.” Every deity in the Mahavira Hall is golden and radiant, with serene, tranquil, indifferent, and transcendent expressions, giving the entire hall an aura of a sacred heavenly realm.

The third hall is the Guanyin Hall, also known as the Hall of Great Compassion. Guanyin Bodhisattva, the foremost bodhisattva of the Western Pure Land, embodies the great compassion of all buddhas and is thus regarded as the foremost savior. To avoid the naming taboo of Emperor Taizong of Tang (Li Shimin), she is commonly referred to as Guanyin. Buddhist scriptures say that Guanyin Bodhisattva is infinitely compassionate and can manifest thirty-three forms to relieve twelve sufferings. As Buddhism spread to China, Guanyin became Chinese, even said to be the daughter of King Zhuang of Chu during the Spring and Autumn Period, Princess Miaoshan.

The Guanyin in the shrine wears magnificent and solemn attire, with a tender and kind expression, seated in the lotus position atop a lotus pedestal. Sudhana stands on the left with palms pressed together, while the Dragon Girl stands on the right holding a red precious pearl.

Guanyin Bodhisattva, along with the boy and girl attendants, have entered homes across China—from humble villages to grand mansions, living among the people in joyful harmony.

“Why seek the Buddha in the deep mountains? Guanyin is everywhere.” The worship of Guanyin is more widespread in China than that of the Buddha himself.