Shenzhen Hongfa Temple

Shenzhen Hongfa Temple

Shenzhen Hongfa Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Hongfa Temple is located within Xianhu Botanical Garden in Luohu District, Shenzhen, backed by Wutong Mountain, and its founding abbot was Master Benhuan. The temple lies at the foot of Wutong Mountain, known as the “green lung” of Shenzhen. It broke ground on July 1, 1985, and is the first Buddhist temple constructed in China since the founding of the People’s Republic. Its current abbot is Venerable Yinsun. Hongfa Temple is the first Buddhist temple built in China after the establishment of the People’s Republic in 1949. Due to its location in Shenzhen, a forefront city of China’s reform and opening-up, adjacent to Hong Kong and Macau, and facing Southeast Asia,

Shenzhen Hongfa Temple faces southeast and is oriented toward the northwest, built along the mountainside with terraced levels. The temple complex covers an area of over 30,000 square meters. Along its central axis, from bottom to top, are: the Mountain Gate Hall, the Heavenly King Hall, the Buddhist Culture Exhibition Building, the Mahavira Hall, and the Scripture Depository. On the sides and at the edges are the Guest Hall, the Patriarch Hall, the Sangharama Hall, the Bell and Drum Towers, the Guanyin Hall, the Ksitigarbha Hall, the Merit Hall, the Abbot's Quarters, the Retired Monks' Quarters, the Reclining Buddha Hall, the Dining Hall, the Meditation Courtyard, the Monks’ Quarters, the Guest Quarters, and the Cloud Water Hall, among others. The Dining Hall can be considered one of the largest of its kind in China. The grand main halls, the elegant Reclining Buddha Hall, the simple Meditation Hall, and the exquisitely designed Mountain Gate Hall all feature traditional bracket sets and upturned eaves, stacked layer upon layer. Water embraces the temple, and the temple nestles within the mountain; green trees and yellow tiles shimmer under the blue sky and white clouds. In the morning breeze, birds chirp, flowers bloom, and the sound of sutras rises; under the setting sun, the silent green hills seem to ask the Zen practitioners questions.

It is situated in the eastern suburbs of Shenzhen, known as the “green lung” of the city, at the foot of Wutong Mountain, famed for its lush, overlapping peaks. With its back against the verdant Wutong Mountain and facing the rippling waters of Xianhu Lake, the temple faces southeast and is built along the mountainside with ascending terraces. With the care of government leaders at all levels and the support of devoted followers, the eminent Venerable Benhuan, a leading figure in Buddhism with over 80 years of practice, and his dharma heir, Venerable Yinsun, led the monastic community with dedication. They strive to fulfill the mission of “focusing on the development of monastic discipline, supported by charity and culture, to build a platform for humanistic Buddhism.” They manage the temple with modern concepts, aiming to cultivate monastic talent and establish a positive image; they spread the Dharma through culture to promote true faith and purify people’s hearts; they use charitable acts to benefit society, seeking to comfort souls and give back to all beings; and they create sacred spaces with science and humanism, aspiring for harmony, patriotism, and devotion to Buddhism. Today, Hongfa Temple has become the most popular Chan Buddhist temple in the Shenzhen area, with a construction area of over 30,000 square meters. It includes more than 40 halls, chambers, quarters, buildings, towers, and pavilions, all grand in scale and solemn in presence. The temple halls feature traditional bracket sets and layered eaves, arranged in an intricate yet orderly fashion. The blue sky, white clouds, green trees, and yellow tiles complement each other beautifully. Inside the temple, morning bells and evening drums resonate, the sounds of sutras linger, springs trickle, birds sing, and flowers bloom, creating a fresh, harmonious atmosphere... Here, you can forget the hustle and bustle of the busy city, find peace in your heart, and experience boundless comfort and a deep sense of lingering attachment.

Just so: Birds chirp, flowers bloom, sutras rise; silent green hills seem to ask the Zen practitioners questions.

Scenic Area Address: Within Xianhu Botanical Garden, Luohu District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province

Transportation: Take bus routes 202, 220, or 382 within Shenzhen and get off at the Xianhu Botanical Garden stop.