Luojiang Baofeng Temple

Luojiang Baofeng Temple

Luojiang Baofeng Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Baofeng Temple is located at the eastern foot of Dahuo Mountain in Luojiang. Originally built with funding from a Sichuan provincial judge surnamed Yu, its construction was halted when the judge fell ill and passed away. His wife and daughter carried on his legacy, raising donations to complete the temple, which is why it came to be known as "Yu Family Nunnery."

It is said that Baofeng Temple was first established during the Jin or Tang dynasties, and ever since its completion, numerous mysterious and fascinating stories have been closely linked to it. Legend has it that during the Ming dynasty, a man from Hanzhou named Ming Ben, who was an orphan from childhood, once went to chop wood in the mountains. He loaded the firewood onto a donkey to carry home, but when the donkey refused to move, Ming Ben, in a fit of anger, chopped off one of the donkey’s ears. Blood immediately gushed out, and Ming Ben had a sudden moment of enlightenment. He then became a monk at Baofeng Temple, devoting himself to rigorous ascetic practice. On the day he passed away while meditating, someone reportedly saw Master Ming Ben walking up Yinghua Mountain wearing only one straw sandal. He explained that the other sandal had fallen under his meditation mat and asked the person to send word to his disciple to retrieve it. When the person arrived at Baofeng Temple, the monks informed him that the master had already passed away and was scheduled to be cremated. However, when the coffin was opened, it was found to be empty—everyone then realized that Master Ming Ben had long since attained nirvana.

The temple is surrounded by mountains on its southwest, south, and north sides, with five hundred acres of lush pines and cypresses creating a sea of green mist. In front of the temple lies a pool known as the “Imperial Concubine Pool.” To the east of the pool winds a shallow valley that gently extends toward the Wen River. Between two mountain ranges, the forest is ablaze with autumn colors, scattered with strangely shaped rocks and bubbling springs, offering breathtaking scenery and a tranquil environment. The back mountain is a renowned geomantic treasure site in Luojiang, home to the burial sites of Ming dynasty general Zhang Keyai, Jingyang County magistrate and local luminary Wu Baiya of Luojiang, among others. Several grand tombs add a sense of prestige to Baofeng Mountain.

Baofeng Temple consists of five main halls: the Hall of Guanyin Bodhisattva, the Medicine King Hall, the Mahavira Hall, the Guanyin Hall, and the Kṣitigarbha Hall.

Although the entire temple complex isn’t particularly large, you shouldn’t underestimate it—it holds great renown among the people of Luojiang. Why is that? Because Baofeng Temple was once home to two notable figures: one was Yang Guifei, one of China’s Four Great Beauties, and the other was Mian, the magistrate of Luojiang County during the Qing Qianlong era.

【Couplet on the Mountain Gate】

(After climbing a few stone steps) Observe the couplet on both sides of the mountain gate: “Weaving rain into a dragon maiden’s silk veil, bright clouds lifting Baofeng Mountain.” These lines aptly capture the gentle beauty of Baofeng Mountain. This couplet was composed and inscribed by Mian, the magistrate of Luojiang County during the Qing Qianlong era, who resided in this temple for twelve years.

So why did this magistrate stay in Baofeng Temple for twelve whole years? (While walking) During the Qianlong era, our Luojiang welcomed a just and incorruptible magistrate, Mian. He constructed the Kuixing Pavilion, Shuangjiang Academy, Taiping Bridge, and the ancient county city. Later, Emperor Qianlong sent an inspector to review these constructions. But this inspector was corrupt—because Mian didn’t offer him any bribes, he falsely reported that Mian’s projects were shoddy. As a result, Mian was dismissed from his post and forbidden from returning to his hometown. With no family or friends to turn to, he came to Baofeng Temple and stayed for twelve years. Yet even after all that time, the projects he’d built remained solid and standing. Only then was he finally allowed to return to his native Yunnan. When he left, he rode away on a donkey, carrying nothing but a bamboo box with a few books inside—a true embodiment of integrity.

【Hall of Guanyin Bodhisattva】

The “Guanyin Bodhisattva” hall enshrines the female form of Guanyin. Actually, Guanyin is male—why is he depicted as female? Because Guanyin can take on thirty different forms, adapting to the needs of those who worship him. That’s why there are various representations such as Thousand-Armed Guanyin, South Sea Guanyin, Child-Giving Guanyin, and Guanyin Bodhisattva.

【Medicine King Hall】

In the Medicine King Hall, the central figure is the Medicine King Bodhisattva, flanked by the deities of the sun and moon. Sick or ailing visitors often come here to pray, believing that worshiping here can cure all ailments and extend life.

【Mahavira Hall】

Welcome to the heart of the temple—the Mahavira Hall. This hall is where the monks gather every morning and evening for scripture study and meditation. In front of the hall is a couplet that reads: “In the West there lives a sage, adorned with thirty noble marks, manifesting countless forms, gazing upon the clear snow of Vulture Peak; Baofeng becomes a realm of crystal, where dharma teachings are preached alongside Confucianism and Taoism, harmonizing with heaven and earth, joyfully welcoming the mists of Dragon Pool and the distant sound of Buddhist chants.” This couplet beautifully encapsulates the landscape surrounding Baofeng Temple. At the center of the hall sits the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, who teaches all beings to practice virtue and refrain from evil; to transcend the cycle of rebirth and achieve Buddhahood. Beside him are the Four Heavenly Kings. Why are they enshrined here? Because in the past, they heard the Buddha’s teachings, received his guidance, selflessly performed good deeds for the people, and were ultimately rewarded by ascending to heaven as kings. Grateful and mindful of their roots, they vowed to visit every temple, hence they are also called the “Four Heavenly Kings.”

【Guanyin Hall】

The fourth main hall—the Guanyin Hall.

According to folklore, when Emperor Xuanzong of Tang fled to Sichuan to escape the An Lushan Rebellion, he reached Mawei Slope, where his imperial guards refused to march further. The Imperial Forest Army executed the treacherous Yang Guozhong and forced Emperor Xuanzong to order Yang Guifei to hang herself. Unwilling to do so and fearing a mutiny, the Emperor had no solution—until Gao Lishi proposed a plan. A palace maid who resembled Yang Guifei was used as a substitute, and several attendants helped Yang Guifei secretly escape to Baofeng Temple, where she lived in hiding for seven years. During this time, the seeds from the tribute jujubes she brought took root and bore plentiful fruit. During the Qing dynasty, Li Diaoyuan, a talented scholar from Luojiang who had returned home after resigning from office, visited Panlong Baofeng Mountain, enjoyed the scenery, composed poetry, and tasted the sweet, crisp fruit. Upon learning of Yang Guifei’s tale, he encouraged locals to cultivate more of the fruit, giving rise to today’s Guifei Jujube Garden (also known as Diaoyuan Jujubes).

This is the very place where Yang Guifei once lived, hence it’s also called the “Empress Hall.” In the past, a stunningly beautiful statue of Yang Guifei was enshrined here. Every year on the third day of the third lunar month, the Empress’s birthday, temple monks would hire a palanquin to carry the “Guifei Empress” statue around Baofeng Mountain, drawing thousands of spectators in a grand celebration.

Upon closer look, you’ll notice: the Empress Hall enjoys an excellent location—it’s much higher than the halls in front, offering a panoramic view of the entire Baofeng Temple complex. Moreover, it’s the furthest and most secluded hall, with a small side door leading directly to the back mountain. This is precisely why Yang Guifei managed to live here unnoticed for seven full years. Take a look at the ancient cypress tree in front of the hall—tall, straight, and thickly leafy, truly majestic. Legend says this tree was personally planted by Yang Guifei, hence it’s known as the "Guifei Cypress." There used to be two, but now only one remains—the other was struck dead by lightning a few years ago, which is quite a pity.

【Kṣitigarbha Hall】

Entering through the small door to the left of the Guanyin Hall, you’ll find the “Kṣitigarbha Hall.” Legend has it that Kṣitigarbha’s mission is to liberate all beings and reform all who have erred before he himself may attain Buddhahood. But because material and spiritual realms have yet to reach their highest states—and there are still evildoers in existence—Kṣitigarbha remains a king rather than a Buddha. The statue of Kṣitigarbha was actually carved from the trunk of the Guifei Cypress that was struck dead in front of the Empress Hall. Looking at this sculpture, one can imagine the grandeur and strength of that thousand-year-old tree.

Source: Public Information Website of Luojiang County People's Government