Huguo Chan Temple

Huguo Chan Temple

Huguo Chan Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

The western route of Mount Fanjing is dotted with numerous ancient temples, forming a traditional pilgrimage path. As early as the Tang and Song dynasties, Yingjiang was home to many temples, including Jiashan West Cliff Temple, Dashengdun Iron Tile Temple, and Huguo Temple on Mount Fanjing. By the Ming and Qing dynasties, Buddhism flourished in the Mount Fanjing area, giving rise to the grandeur of the Four Great Imperial Temples and Forty-Eight Branch Temples. The Buddhist Association of China once recognized: “Mount Fanjing is a nationally renowned bodhimanda of Maitreya Bodhisattva, and is as prestigious as the bodhimandas of Wenshu Bodhisattva at Mount Wutai in Shanxi, Puxian Bodhisattva at Mount Emei in Sichuan, Dizang Bodhisattva at Jiuhua Mountain in Anhui, and Guanyin Bodhisattva at Mount Putuo in Zhejiang.”

Huguo Temple was first built during the Tang Dynasty and was originally called “Tianchi Courtyard.” It flourished during the Ming Dynasty, when it was renamed “Huguo Temple.” In its heyday, the temple complex spanned over 20,000 square meters with layered halls and the chanting of hundreds of monks could be heard. However, it suffered multiple devastations due to warfare and banditry, and was rebuilt several times. Today, Huguo Temple covers an area of more than 20,000 square meters. The plaque above the mountain gate, inscribed with “Huguo Chan Temple” in blue background and gold characters, was written by Wei Yuping, a native of Yingjiang, who is a council member of the Chinese Calligraphers Association and the chairman of the Chongqing Calligraphers Association. Upon entering the mountain gate, the first structure is the Hall of Heavenly Kings.

Then, visitors pass by the Liberation Pond, cross the “T-shaped bridge,” and ascend the steps to reach the Mahavira Hall. This Mahavira Hall is the largest in Southwest China, measuring 36 meters in width, 31 meters in depth, and 20 meters in height. At the center of the hall are enshrined the statues of Sakyamuni Buddha, Bhaisajyaguru (Medicine Buddha), and Amitabha Buddha, while the four corners feature the Four Great Bodhisattvas: Manjushri, Ksitigarbha, Guanyin, and Samantabhadra. The sides of the Mahavira Hall are adorned with 24 Heavenly Guardians.

On the left side of the Mahavira Hall is a cultural relics exhibition hall, featuring a jade Buddha brought from Myanmar. Stone steles and the Twelve Yaksha Generals of Bhaisajyaguru were unearthed during the restoration of Huguo Temple. One Buddha statue bears the inscription “Three Years of the Wanli Era” on its back.

On the right side of the Mahavira Hall is a calligraphy exhibition hall. The plaque inscribed with “First Mountain in Guizhou” (“Qianshan Diyī”) was written by Yan Yinliang, a master calligrapher of the Qing Dynasty who also inscribed the name for the Summer Palace. Originally, this plaque was hung at the main gate of Huguo Temple, signifying its status as the foremost imperial temple in the Guizhou mountains. There are also precious items here, such as photos of the mother of the 11th Panchen Lama during her pilgrimage to Mount Fanjing and the Panchen Lama photo she gifted to Huguo Temple.

The current Huguo Chan Temple was reconstructed in 1998, and the rebuilding process was quite challenging. In 1956, the temple was completely destroyed, leaving only ruined walls and foundations, covering about 12,500 square meters. In 1992, the Buddhist Association of Guizhou Province funded the construction of six wooden structures for worshippers. In 1998, Master Foyou, a renowned monk from Liaoning, moved by the ruins, took on the responsibility of restoring Huguo Temple. Construction began on September 1st, 1998, and after six years of painstaking effort and an investment of over 20 million yuan, the temple was completed, covering an area of 16,950 square meters.

Huguo Chan Temple was completed in 2003. In September 2004, the China Mount Fanjing Buddhist Culture Symposium and the Consecration Ceremony of the Mahavira Hall were held at the temple.