Hui Guang Temple

Hui Guang Temple

Hui Guang Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Originally named Guang Xiao Temple, also referred to as Wan Shou Temple or Bao En Temple, Hui Guang Temple was officially named as such on December 25, 2007, per approval document [2007] No. 26 from the Provincial Ethnic and Religious Affairs Commission — “Approval Regarding the Establishment of Hui Guang Temple in Lianzhou City.” It is situated beside the Hui Guang Pagoda on Hui Guang Road in downtown Lianzhou. The temple was first built in the seventh year of the Tai Shi era during the Liu Song Dynasty of the Southern and Northern Dynasties (471 AD). It was rebuilt in the sixth year of the Jiayou era of the Northern Song Dynasty by monk Fa Bian, again in the twenty-second year of the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty by monk Pu Hua, and once more in the tenth year of the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty.

To the left of the main hall of Hui Guang Temple lies the Hui Guang Dharma Hall, behind which are dozens of abbot meditation rooms. Above these are the Arhat Hall and the Avatamsaka Pavilion, with the Incense Kitchen nearby. In the center stands a stupa over ten zhang tall, housing a silver-tasseled relic of sarira.

Historical records indicate that Hui Guang Temple was located to the east outside the southern gate of the prefectural city. The layout of Lianzhou city was roughly circular, featuring three gates to the southeast and west, while the north had a tower but no gate. The east, west, and south gates were each equipped with barbicans. Due to the river’s presence, the west barbican was positioned inside the city. Both the east and south gates had external barbicans to aid in defense. The south gate served as the city’s main gate and was a key point in the city’s defensive strategy. An oval-shaped outer city wall was built along the river, featuring the “Yongdong Gate” to the east. The south side had four gates, arranged from west to east as the “Chaoyang Gate,” “Jichuan Gate,” “Longze Gate,” and “Zhenjiang Gate.” The City God Temple, Hui Guang Temple, Wan Shou Palace, and Hui Guang Pagoda were all located on the eastern side of the southern outer city wall. The City God Temple, Hui Guang Temple, and Wan Shou Palace were aligned horizontally from east to west, with the Hui Guang Pagoda situated northeast of Hui Guang Temple.