Fanzong Temple

Fanzong Temple

Fanzong Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Also known as Beida Temple, Fanzong Temple is located 4 kilometers north of Wudan Town in Ongniud Banner. It was first built in the eighth year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1743) and completed in the 20th year of Qianlong (1755). The temple is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery constructed in traditional Han Chinese architectural style. Laid out from south to north along the undulating mountain terrain, it consists of the mountain gate, main hall, east and west side halls, Guan Yu Hall, and Sutra Hall, with currently 115 rooms covering an area of over 5,000 square meters.

Each hall is built on a stone platform, featuring gray-tiled wooden structures with blue bricks. The beams and brackets are adorned with colorful paintings of dragons and flowers, while the walls preserve a number of murals and exquisite carvings. It is one of the larger and better-preserved ancient architectural complexes in the Chifeng area. The temple is surrounded by dense trees and boasts a beautiful environment.

Fanzong Temple is located four kilometers outside Wudan Town, the seat of the People's Government of Ongniud Banner in Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia. It was named by Emperor Qianlong and was completed in the eighth year of the Qianlong reign (1743). Originally covering an area of one hectare, it had over ten Buddha halls and was designated by the local chieftain as the central temple overseeing all religious affairs in the banner.

With picturesque scenery and a serene environment, Fanzong Temple faces south and is built against the mountain, forming terraced courtyards that follow the rise and fall of the terrain. The overall layout is solemn and majestic, with an extraordinary aura. The southern part is bright and open, while the northern part is compact and orderly.

The temple is designed around the main and side halls, with the central axis formed by the mountain gate (Heavenly King Hall), main hall (Mahavira Hall), and rear hall (Maitreya Hall). Flanked by side halls, these form several enclosed courtyards. The halls are all built with blue brick, tile, and wooden frames, each with unique features. The ridges vary in style, grand and majestic, showcasing ingenious craftsmanship and splendid designs. The painted beams and brackets are vividly colored, with lifelike depictions of figures, dragons, phoenixes, birds, and flowers. The rooftops are covered with barrel tiles, featuring lotus or beast-faced triangular water spouts and round drip tiles. The main ridges are mostly plain ridges, with dragon heads at both ends. The vertical and diagonal ridges are adorned with vividly crafted beasts, horses, and other figures full of spirit. The various reliefs on the buildings demonstrate exquisite craftsmanship and are truly remarkable.

This renowned temple beyond the Great Wall, Fanzong Temple, also suffered severe damage during the Cultural Revolution. To restore the temple to its original appearance, since 1987, the Banner People's Government has raised funds for renovations. Danjue Ranbanza (Chinese name Wu Zhanyou), the academic dean and researcher of the China Tibetan Language High-Level Buddhist College, the fifth incarnation of the Fanzong Temple lineage holder, has devoted great efforts to reviving the temple’s glory. Despite his busy schedule of Buddhist activities and lectures both domestically and internationally, he has made time since 1998 to invest tens of millions of yuan in the temple’s restoration. The newly restored Fanzong Temple covers an area of four hectares and includes a front plaza, Heavenly King Hall, drum tower, bell tower, guest hall, monks' quarters, scripture-turning hall, Guan Yu Hall, and Twenty-One Taras Hall, forming a large and uniquely styled ancient architectural complex in the Chifeng area. Fanzong Temple will hold a grand consecration ceremony on the fourth, fifth, and sixth days of the sixth lunar month in 2004.

Under the advocacy and leadership of Danjue Ranbanza, with the goals of upholding the Dharma, glorifying the nation, and benefiting all beings, Fanzong Temple aims to "cultivate new monks who are patriotic, law-abiding, devout, knowledgeable, capable, and able to uphold and promote the Dharma" to meet the challenges of modern scientific and cultural advancements in the new century. Starting with improving the monks' ideological and cultural qualities, establishing good monastic and scholarly practices, and building sound management organizations and regulations, the temple has set up three classrooms in a newly built 1,700-square-meter two-story courtyard. Advanced teaching equipment such as projectors and computers have been added, and senior professors from domestic universities have been invited to teach systematic courses in Buddhism, Classical Chinese, Modern Chinese, Mongolian, and English.

According to Danjue Ranbanza’s vision, through persistent effort, Fanzong Temple will ultimately become an academy-style monastery. To this end, the temple has established a library, resource room, archives, and computer room, and has built a "Tibetan-Mongolian Clinic." Plans also include constructing a "Monastic Residence" and "Lay Practitioners' Building" to facilitate academic research and exchanges for eminent Buddhist scholars and experts in China—facilities that are currently unique and unparalleled in the country.

Zoba Jiancuo, the senior monk in charge of the temple’s daily operations, was ordained and received precepts in October 1980. While serving as abbot of Longquan Temple in Harqin Banner in 1997, he oversaw its restoration and also participated in the renovation of three other temples with outstanding achievements. He has been recognized as an "Advanced Monk" and "Model Abbot" by the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Chifeng City, and the temples he managed have been honored as "Advanced Temples." Fanzong Temple itself was awarded the title of "Model Temple of Chifeng" in April 2004.

In 1985, Fanzong Temple was listed as a Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and in 1995, it was approved as a site for religious activities.

Wudan Town: Originally named "Zicheng," Wudan Town is located in Ongniud Banner, Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and serves as the seat of the banner government. It is about 90 km from Chifeng City in Inner Mongolia and only 4–7 hours by car or 10 hours by train from Chifeng to Beijing, the nation’s capital. Wudan Town is a key transportation hub connecting Chifeng City with the northern banners and counties. The locals, living in the birthplace of Hongshan Culture, are warm and hospitable!!

Fanzong Temple is located 4 kilometers northwest of Wudan Town in Ongniud Banner, Chifeng City, and is currently the only relatively well-preserved ancient structure in the banner... More details about Wudan Town++

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units