Xiānfēng Temple

Xiānfēng Temple

Xiānfēng Temple is a cultural heritage site protected by Sichuan Province.

Xiānfēng Temple is located at the foot of Xiānfēng Rock. Originally named Cíyán Temple, it sits at an altitude of 1,725 meters and faces Huáyán Peak. The temple was first established in the 18th year of the Zhiyuan era during the Yuan Dynasty (1281 AD) as a small hermitage. In the early Ming Dynasty, a scripture depository was built here specifically to house the Buddhist canon bestowed by Emperor Shenzong of Ming. In the 40th year of the Wanli era (1612 AD), Monk Běnjiǒng expanded it into a large temple called “Xiānfēng Chánlín.” In the 16th year of the Chóngzhēn era of the Ming Dynasty (1643 AD), it was destroyed by fire. In the 44th year of the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty (1779 AD), Monks Tà’ān and Yùshēng rebuilt it and renamed it “Xiānfēng Temple,” the name which has been used ever since.

Highlights

Many dove tree (Davidia involucrata) trees grow in the area around Xiānfēng Temple. Their white flowers resemble dove wings, fluttering gently in the breeze. This rare plant species is known to the West as the “Chinese dove tree.”

Introduction

The first hall of Xiānfēng Temple was originally the God of Wealth Hall but was later converted to enshrine the Maitreya Buddha and named the Maitreya Hall. It is now once again the God of Wealth Hall. The plaque reads “Xiānfēng Chánlín.” On the left wall of the hall hang four wooden screens briefly describing the history of Xiānfēng Temple and the legend of Jiǔlǎo Cave.

The second hall is the Mahavira Hall, where the Sakyamuni Buddha is enshrined in the center, flanked by the Eighteen Arhats. The back wall enshrines the Amitabha Buddha, Manjushri Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, Guanyin Bodhisattva, Suryaprabha Bodhisattva, and Candraprabha Bodhisattva—all are silk-covered statues.

The third hall is the Relic Hall, which houses a white marble statue of the Medicine Buddha. There is also a copper stupa containing relics, hexagonal with seven levels, standing 3.6 meters tall and covered entirely in gold, shining brilliantly.

Protected area: bounded by the temple’s surrounding walls.

Construction control zone: extends 80 meters beyond the protected area.