Genpi Temple

Genpi Temple

Genpi Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Genpi Temple is located in the northern part of Ar Horqin Banner, within the territory of Bayan Balge Sumu. Also known as "Laxi Genpi Temple," its Chinese name is Guangyou Temple. Nestled against a range of mountains and facing a flat plain, the temple boasts beautiful and serene scenery. Built in the 20th year of the Jiaqing era (1815 AD), it once housed up to 320 monks. During the Bingzi year, Yang Song—the second incarnation of Luobusang Nianrige—traveled across various regions to select a site for building a temple. Passing through here, he noticed the area’s steep mountains, flat terrain, dense forests, lush grasslands, and clear feng shui patterns, so he chose this location to establish the temple.

Genpi Temple was once destroyed, and the current structures are restorations from 1981, representing only a portion of its former scale. The temple complex includes three main halls: the central hall is the Buddha Hall, which houses over 20 Buddha statues and more than 30 colorful mishals (Buddhist ornaments), serving as the space where monks recite scriptures. A collection of 326 volumes of Buddhist classics, including the Kangyur and Tengyur, is also preserved here. Flanking the main hall are two side halls: the scripture study hall to the southwest and the Vajra World Hall to the southeast. In 1938, the 9th Panchen Lama, Danbei Nyima, stayed here briefly, after which the temple gained widespread fame and saw an increase in incense offerings and visitors. The temple currently has around 30 monks, most of whom have studied Buddhist teachings. The most renowned is the reincarnated lama Jimuyan, the sixth incarnation of Yangsong Geggen. Jimuyan previously resided and studied at the Ta’er Monastery and the Lama Temple, mastering Mongolian, Tibetan, and Japanese languages, as well as expertise in Buddhist philosophy, astronomy, music, and philosophy. He served as a council member of the China Religious Association, a member of the Inner Mongolia CPPCC, a standing committee member of the municipal CPPCC, and the vice-chairman of the banner CPPCC.

Surrounded by eight white stupas that complement the nearby mountain ranges, Genpi Temple offers picturesque views of white clouds against blue skies, mountain peaks adorned with stupas, and flowing streams—a truly unique landscape. The architectural complex is grand in scale and the temples are majestic, exerting considerable influence.

Genpi Temple sees a continuous flow of worshippers and a large number of tourists every day. Temple fairs are held annually on the 15th day of the first lunar month, the 15th day of the fourth lunar month, the 4th day of the sixth lunar month, and the 22nd day of the ninth lunar month, each attracting around a thousand participants. These fairs feature both Buddhist activities and trade exchanges. The temple has an abbot who oversees all affairs, while monks live in separate, orderly accommodations outside the main religious buildings—earning the area the nickname “Monk Village.” Genpi Temple is a treasure of Chinese national historical and cultural heritage. It holds significant value not only for the study of Chinese Buddhism and Qing Dynasty history but also for research on the social, economic, and cultural aspects of Ar Horqin Banner.