Wanshan Nunnery

Wanshan Nunnery

Wanshan Nunnery, formerly known as "Qiaocheng Temple," is located southwest of Yangfenshui Village on the outskirts of Nanxiong City. It is said to have been built during the Ming Dynasty, experiencing multiple periods of decline and revival, and was renovated several times between the Qing Dynasty and the early Republican era. During the Anti-Japanese War, a branch of the 73rd Hospital was set up here, but nuns continued to carry out Buddhist activities.

In 1991, with donations from Buddhist communities in Hong Kong and Macau, Wanshan Nunnery was rebuilt, with a total construction area of over 1,300 square meters. There are ten nuns, two of whom graduated from Buddhist colleges. The current abbess is Venerable Shi Zhangren, who has been engaged in Buddhist activities at Wanshan Nunnery for more than 50 years.

The rebuilt Wanshan Nunnery sits by the Ling River, boasting a beautiful environment and a wide view. At dawn, when the first light appears and the sky is painted red, the reflection on the river is particularly magnificent, and the entire building is simple yet solemn. Above the main gate is a granite plaque inscribed with the characters: “Wanshan Nunnery.” On both sides of the gate are crane-head couplets composed and written by Venerable Fo Yuan from Nanhua Temple. The upper couplet reads: “Ten thousand saints and sages bestow the Dharma rain”; the lower couplet: “Good indeed, good salvation through compassion.” The front hall of the nunnery houses the Heavenly King Hall, where Amitabha Buddha is enshrined at the front, flanked by the couplet: “A big belly that can tolerate all unbearable things in the world, a smiling face that often laughs at the laughable people in the world.” Behind it is the statue of Skanda. The middle hall is the Mahavira Hall, where the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, the Buddha of our time, is enshrined at the front, with Samantabhadra, Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Great Wisdom, and Amitabha Buddha on the sides, each over three meters tall and fully gilded. The Eighteen Arhats are enshrined on both sides, and the rear hall features the Guanyin Who Crosses the Sea. The rear hall of the nunnery is the Three Jewels Hall, with a horizontal plaque reading “Buddha’s Light Shines Everywhere” hanging above the front. To the east of the Mahavira Hall are the guest hall and garden; to the west are the Sangharama Hall, Guanyin Hall, and Merit Hall. The Guanyin Hall enshrines a uniquely featured Four-faced and Eight-armed Guanyin, holding the sun and moon. On both sides of the hall door is a couplet: “In the purple bamboo forest, observe the self; on the white lotus throne, appear the Tathagata.” Devotees from the city and surrounding areas especially revere Guanyin Bodhisattva. Every year on Guanyin’s birthday, numerous devotees come to offer incense and worship. The nunnery is filled with the scent of incense and the sound of firecrackers, creating a lively atmosphere.

Source: Tourism Bureau of Wengyuan County