Guangzhou's Guangxiao Temple

Guangzhou's Guangxiao Temple

Guangzhou’s Guangxiao Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

A local saying in Guangzhou goes: "Before there was Yangcheng (Guangzhou), there was Guangxiao." Guangzhou's Guangxiao Temple is the oldest and largest renowned Buddhist temple in the city.

Located on Guangxiao Road, it is one of the four major monasteries in Guangzhou (Guangxiao, Liurong, Haizhuang, and Hualin temples) and was designated as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit by the State Council in March 1961.

The temple was originally the residence of Zhao Jiande, the grandson of Zhao Tuo, the King of Nanyue (220–265). During the Three Kingdoms period, Yu Fan, a military commander of the Wu Kingdom, was exiled to Guangzhou for advising the king too candidly. He lived here and expanded his residence to give lectures. After Yu Fan’s death, his family converted the house into a temple named “Zhi Zhi Temple.” During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the Indian monk Dharmaya came to Guangzhou and built the Mahavira Hall here. In the Tang and Song Dynasties, it was renamed “Bao’en Guangjiao Temple.” In 1151 during the Southern Song Dynasty (Shaoxing 21st year), it was renamed Guangxiao Temple, the name that has been used ever since.

Guangxiao Temple holds an important place in the history of Chinese Buddhism. Since Dharmaya established the temple and gave lectures here, many eminent monks have come to preach. For example, during the Liang Dynasty of the Southern and Northern Dynasties period, the Indian monk Master Jnana came to Guangzhou via Tibet to give lectures and brought a bodhi tree, which he planted in the temple’s altar. In 676 during the Tang Dynasty (Yifeng 1st year), the eminent monk Huineng received his precepts under the bodhi tree in this temple, founding the Southern School of Buddhism and becoming known as the “Sixth Patriarch of Zen,” adding everlasting glory to the temple. In 749 AD, the eminent Tang Dynasty monk Jianzhen stayed here for a spring after being blown by a typhoon to Hainan Island during his fifth attempt to sail to Japan.

Guangxiao Temple is located at the northern end of Guangxiao Road in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. According to the Guangxiao Temple Annals, it was originally the residence of Zhao Jiande, the King of Nanyue. During the Three Kingdoms period, Yu Fan of the Wu Kingdom was exiled here, and the place became known as Yu’s Garden. Yu Fan gave lectures and planted many plantain and pomelo trees, also called “Ko Lin.” After Yu Fan’s death, the residence was donated as a temple and named “Zhi Zhi Temple.” The history of Guangxiao Temple is long and profound. As the proverb says: “Before there was Yangcheng, there was Guangxiao.” The site was originally the residence of Zhao Jiande, the great-grandson of Zhao Tuo, the King of Nanyue from the early Western Han Dynasty. The temple’s name has changed several times: in 401 AD (the fifth year of Long’an during the Eastern Jin Dynasty), it was called Wuyuan Temple; in the Tang Dynasty, it was called Guangxiao Temple or Ganming Faxing Temple; during the Five Dynasties’ Southern Han period, it was called Qianheng Temple; in the Northern Song Dynasty, it was called Wanshou Chan Temple; in the Southern Song Dynasty, it was called Bao’en Guangxiao Temple; and in 1482 during the Ming Dynasty (Chenghua 18th year), Emperor Xianzong bestowed the name “Guangxiao Temple,” which has remained since. Since then, it has been passed down through generations and become a famous scenic spot. “Guangxiao Bodhi” was one of the “Eight Scenic Spots of Yangcheng” in the Song Dynasty.

The architectural structure of Guangxiao Temple is rigorous, and its halls are majestic. It boasts numerous cultural relics and historic sites. For example, the Mahavira Hall built during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the Washing Bowl Spring dug by Bodhidharma during the Southern Dynasties, the Hair-Burying Pagoda and Stone Scripture Pillar from the Tang Dynasty, the Thousand Buddha Iron Pagoda from the Southern Han Dynasty, the Sixth Patriarch Hall and Reclining Buddha Hall from the Song and Ming Dynasties, as well as inscriptions, Buddha statues, Java apple trees, and bodhi trees, are all precious Buddhist relics. These hold significant value for studying the history of Chinese Buddhism, the history of Guangdong, and understanding the creative power of the people. On March 5, 1986, the temple was placed under the management of religious authorities with the approval of the State Council.

Historical Evolution

According to the Guangxiao Temple Annals, it was originally the residence of Zhao Jiande, the King of Nanyue. During the Three Kingdoms period, Yu Fan of the Wu Kingdom was exiled here, and the place became known as Yu’s Garden. Yu Fan gave lectures and planted many plantain and pomelo trees, also called “Ko Lin.” After Yu Fan’s death, the residence was donated as a temple and named “Zhi Zhi Temple.” This is where temple construction in Guangzhou began. During the Eastern Jin Dynasty (379, Long’an era of Emperor Ai), it was renamed “Wangyuan Yansi,” also called “Wangyuan Temple.” In 645 (the 19th year of Zhenguan during the Tang Dynasty), it was called “Ganming Faxing Temple.” In the early Northern Song Dynasty, it was called “Ganming Chan Monastery.” In 1127 (the 20th year of Shaoxing during the Southern Song Dynasty), Emperor Gaozong decreed the temple be renamed “Bao’en Guangxiao Chan Temple.” In 1466 (the 2nd year of Chenghua during the Ming Dynasty), it was first called “Guangxiao Temple,” and in 1482 (the 18th year of Chenghua), Emperor Xianzong bestowed the plaque “Guangxiao Chan Temple.” Since then, the name Guangxiao Temple has been used. It has been passed down through generations and become a renowned scenic site. “Guangxiao Bodhi” was one of the “Eight Scenic Spots of Yangcheng” in the Song Dynasty.

Guangxiao Temple is the oldest and largest ancient temple in Lingnan and one of the birthplaces of Sino-Indian Buddhist cultural exchange. Since its establishment, many eminent monks from China and abroad have resided and preached here. During the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the Tripitaka Master Dharmaya from Kashmir expanded the main hall and translated scriptures. During the Yuanjia era of Emperor Wen of Liu Song, the Indian monk Gunabhadra created an ordination platform in the temple to teach precepts. In 502 (the first year of Tianjian during the Liang Dynasty), the Tripitaka Master Jnana brought a bodhi tree from western India and planted it in front of the ordination platform. Volume 6 of the Guangxiao Temple Annals states: “The Tripitaka Master Jnana planted the bodhi tree in front of the ordination platform of Wangyuan Temple and prophesied: ‘One hundred and seventy years after my passing, a living bodhisattva will expound the supreme teaching under this tree, saving countless beings. Then he will go upstream to Caoxi in Shaoguan.’” In 527 (the eighth year of Putong), the Patriarch Bodhidharma resided in this temple.

In 557 (the first year of Yongding during the Chen Dynasty), the Indian monk Paramartha (i.e., Tripitaka Master Jñānagupta) translated scriptures such as the Mahayana Vijnaptimatra Sastra and Mahayana-samgraha in the temple. In 676 (the first year of Yifeng during the Tang Dynasty), the Sixth Patriarch Huineng of Zen debated with others about the wind and the banner, shaved his head under the bodhi tree, and expounded the East Mountain sudden enlightenment method. In 705 (the first year of Shenlong), the Indian monk Prajñāvarman translated the Shurangama Sutra in ten volumes here, with Chancellor Fang Rong serving as scribe. During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty (724), the Indian monk Amoghavajra established a grand tantric practice center in Guangxiao Temple to teach esoteric Buddhism. In 749, the monk Jianzhen, on his way to Japan to spread Buddhism, was blown off course by sea winds to the south and also preached and received seasonal offerings here. During the reign of Emperor Xuānzong of the Tang Dynasty, the monk Huizhao of the Fengshan school, nicknamed “Little Shakyamuni,” was invited to preach in the temple. In 1598 (the 26th year of Wanli during the Ming Dynasty), the eminent monk Hanshan lectured on the Forty-Two Chapter Sutra in Guangxiao Temple, advocated the dual practice of Chan and Pure Land Buddhism, renovated the halls, and composed the couplet for the ceremonial gate: “Chan and teaching spread across the world; this is the foremost blessed land. The garden of paradise opens in the southern region; this is the foremost sacred mountain.” In 1642 (the 15th year of Chongzhen), the monk Tianran resided at Guangxiao Temple and initiated the renovation of halls and restoration of historic sites. From the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong era, the monk Shanzhi resided at Guangxiao Temple and gained fame for teaching martial arts. During the Guangxu era, the monk Tieshan was bestowed the plaque “Pure Cultivation and Loyal Devotion” by Emperor Guangxu.

The temple complex is grand and imposing, with majestic architectural structures and distinctive features. The Mahavira Hall, as the main building of Guangxiao Temple, is constructed on a high platform, with bell and drum towers on either side. Inside the hall are newly built statues of three great Buddhas: Sakyamuni in the center, Manjushri on the left, and Samantabhadra on the right. Together, these three statues are called the “Huayan Three Saints.” On the left and right sides of the platform are a pair of stone Dharma pillars.

Major buildings include the Mountain Gate, Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, and Hair-Burying Pagoda. The main hall was initially built in 401 (the fifth year of Long’an during the Eastern Jin Dynasty) by Dharmaya and has been renovated in subsequent dynasties. It now measures 35.36 meters wide and 24.8 meters deep with a height of 13.6 meters. It features a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof and is the most magnificent and towering hall in Lingnan. The Sangharama Hall was rebuilt in 1494 (the seventh year of Hongzhi during the Ming Dynasty), measuring three bays in width and depth. The Sixth Patriarch Hall was rebuilt in 1692 (the 31st year of Kangxi during the Qing Dynasty), measuring five bays wide and four bays deep. Both halls follow the style of the main hall in many aspects. The eaves and bracket sets extend outward layer by layer, increasing the span of the roof, reflecting the architectural style from the Tang Dynasty onward. Many temples in southern China imitate its design.

The Hair-Burying Pagoda is 7.8 meters tall, octagonal, and has seven levels, each with eight niches. In 676 (the first year of Yifeng during the Tang Dynasty), after the Sixth Patriarch Huineng shaved his head under the bodhi tree, the abbot, Master Yinzong, buried Huineng’s hair here. Later, the pagoda was built in commemoration. The temple still houses China’s oldest, largest, and most intact iron pagoda. The most famous legend of Guangxiao Temple is that Huineng revealed his brilliance here through the “Wind and Banner Debate,” drawing public attention.

The Eastern and Western Iron Pagodas are the two oldest surviving iron pagodas in China. The Western Iron Pagoda was built in 963 (the sixth year of Dabao during the Five Dynasties’ Southern Han period), four years earlier than the Eastern Iron Pagoda. It was jointly cast by the eunuch Gong Chengshu of Southern Han Emperor Liu Chang and his female disciple Deng Sanshiniang, and is of high artistic value. During the Anti-Japanese War, four of its levels collapsed due to a building collapse, leaving only three. The Eastern Pagoda was cast in 967 (the eighth year of Kaibao during the Southern Han period) in the name of Emperor Liu Chang. It is square-shaped, has seven levels, is 7.69 meters tall, and has a carved stone Sumeru pedestal. The body of the pagoda contains over 900 niches, each with a small Buddha statue, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. When first completed, it was entirely gilded and known as the “Gilded Thousand Buddha Pagoda.”

The Great Compassion Pillar was built in 826 (the second year of Baoli during the Tang Dynasty). Its canopy resembles a mushroom and is made of bluestone. It is 2.19 meters tall, and its body is inscribed with the “Great Compassion Mantra” on all eight sides. It is the earliest dated stone carving in the temple, though much of the text has weathered.

In 1990, the temple covered an area of over 30,000 square meters. In 2001, a green square and parking lot of over 2,000 square meters were added in front of the main gate. In 2000, within the planned area for the construction of monastic quarters and the abbot’s room, the foundations of multiple ancient buildings dating from the Five Dynasties to the Song Dynasty were discovered.

Architectural Features

Guangxiao Temple is the largest in scale among the monasteries of Lingnan and holds an important position in Buddhist history. It also pioneered a unique architectural style and school in southern China’s architectural history. Originally, it had eleven halls: the Main Hall, Vairocana Hall, Western Three Saints Hall, Guanyin Hall, Arhat Hall, Sixth Patriarch Hall, Sangharama Hall, Skanda Hall, Heavenly King Hall, Prince Siddhartha Hall, and Scripture Repository Hall; six lecture halls: Ordination Hall, Wind-Banner Hall, Guest Hall, Meditation Hall, Donor Hall, and Ten Sages Hall; and three towers: Reclining Buddha Tower, Bell Tower, and Drum Tower. Due to historical changes, the temple suffered several instances of damage. In 1987, religious policies were reinstated, and the temple was returned to the Buddhist community. After ten years of effort, the temple has been fully restored. Today, Guangxiao Temple includes the Mountain Gate, Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, Bell and Drum Towers, Sangharama Hall, Sixth Patriarch Hall, Reclining Buddha Tower, Washing Bowl Spring, Eastern and Western Iron Pagodas, Great Compassion Pillar, Hair-Burying Pagoda, and other structures, along with historical inscriptions and relics.

Among the architectural complex, the Mahavira Hall is the most majestic. Created during the Eastern Jin Dynasty and renovated in the Tang Dynasty, it preserves the architectural art of the Tang and Song Dynasties. The hall uses shuttle-shaped pillars that are thick in the middle and slightly thinner at the top and bottom. The bracket sets of the lower eaves of the main hall are all double-jump, double-angulated six-puzuo bracket arms—a style unique among China’s famous ancient architecture. The Sixth Patriarch Hall was built in 1008 (the first year of Xiangfu during the Northern Song Dynasty) and houses a seated statue of the Sixth Patriarch Huineng. In front of the Sixth Patriarch Hall is an ancient bodhi tree planted by the Indian monk Jnana, and “Guangxiao Bodhi” is one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Yangcheng. The Hair-Burying Pagoda was funded by the monk Facao, the abbot of the Tang Dynasty, to commemorate Huineng’s ordination under the bodhi tree. The pagoda houses Huineng’s hair, is built on a stone foundation with brick, lime, and sand structure, is octagonal with nine levels, and is 7.8 meters tall. Each level has a niche with clay Buddha statues. Behind the main hall is also a thousand-year-old Java apple tree planted by Yu Fan of the Three Kingdoms, truly a relic of antiquity.

The architectural complex is grand and imposing, with majestic structures and distinct features. The current buildings were renovated during the Shunzhi era of the Qing Dynasty (1644–1661) and reflect the styles of the Tang and Song Dynasties. On the right side of the main hall is the Sangharama Hall dedicated to guardian deities, and on the left is the Sixth Patriarch Hall, built in the Northern Song Dynasty. The Mahavira Hall, as the main building of Guangxiao Temple, is built on a high platform, with bell and drum towers on either side. The hall houses three newly built statues of great Buddhas: Sakyamuni in the center, Manjushri on the left, and Samantabhadra on the right. Together, they are called the “Huayan Three Saints.” In front of the Sixth Patriarch Hall is the Hair-Burying Pagoda. Legend says that during the Tang Dynasty, when Huineng shaved his head under the bodhi tree, the abbot Facao buried his hair on the spot and later built the pagoda to commemorate the founder of the Southern Chan School. The pagoda is octagonal, 6.7 meters tall, has seven levels, and eight niches per level. Its unique shape makes it one of the temple’s most treasured relics. There is also a pair of stone Dharma pillars on either side of the platform.

The bracket sets of the eaves extend outward layer by layer, increasing the span of the roof, reflecting the architectural style from the Tang Dynasty onward. Many temples in southern China imitate its design.

The temple’s Reclining Buddha Pavilion, also called the Wind-Banner Hall, is associated with a legend. When Huineng first arrived at Guangxiao Temple, Master Qiuzong was explaining the Nirvana Sutra. A breeze blew, causing the banners atop the pavilion to flutter. Master Qiuzong asked the monks, “What is moving?” One replied, “The banner.” Another said, “The wind.” Huineng interjected, “It is the mind that moves.” Upon hearing this, Master Qiuzong stepped down, bowed, and took Huineng as his teacher. From then on, Huineng began to preach, and the pavilion was renamed the “Wind-Banner Hall.” To this day, large banners still hang in front of the hall, fluttering in the wind.

The temple houses two iron pagodas from the Southern Han Dynasty. The Eastern Iron Pagoda is well preserved, standing 7.5 meters tall with a base width of 2.28 meters. It is decorated with coiled dragons and sacred lotuses, and each level is covered with Buddha statues, hence also called the Thousand Buddha Pagoda. The Western Iron Pagoda retains only its top three levels. Both pagodas are rare in China, and their size and decoration demonstrate the advanced casting techniques and artistic skills mastered by the Chinese people a thousand years ago. In 1995, the State Council listed Guangxiao Temple as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. The Eastern and Western Iron Pagodas are the two oldest surviving iron pagodas in China. The Western Iron Pagoda was built in 963 (the sixth year of Dabao during the Five Dynasties’ Southern Han period), four years before the Eastern Iron Pagoda. It was jointly cast by the eunuch Gong Chengshu of Southern Han Emperor Liu Chang and his female disciple Deng Sanshiniang, and is of high artistic value. During the Anti-Japanese War, four of its levels collapsed due to a building collapse, leaving only three. The Eastern Pagoda was cast in 967 (the tenth year of Kaibao during the Southern Han period) in the name of Emperor Liu Chang. It is square-shaped, has seven levels, is 7.69 meters tall, and has a carved stone Sumeru pedestal. The body of the pagoda contains over 900 niches, each with a small Buddha statue, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. When first completed, it was entirely gilded and known as the “Gilded Thousand Buddha Pagoda.”

The Great Compassion Pillar was built in 826 (the second year of Baoli during the Tang Dynasty). Its canopy resembles a mushroom and is made of bluestone. It is 2.19 meters tall, and its body is inscribed with the “Great Compassion Mantra” on all eight sides. It is the earliest dated stone carving in the temple, though much of the text has weathered.

Successive Abbots

According to the Guangxiao Temple Annals, there were three founding masters: Dharmaya, Gunabhadra, and Jnana; more famous patriarchs include Bodhidharma, Huineng, Paramartha, Prajñāvarman, and Amoghavajra; there were 42 abbots; four successive sages: Tanxuan, Jian’an, Minyan, and Hanshan; and one dharma heir, the Master Tianran. The current abbot is Venerable Xincheng, from Jiexi County, Guangdong Province. He is an executive director of the Buddhist Association of China, a member of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and vice president of the Guangdong and Guangzhou Buddhist Associations. The current supervisor is Venerable Mingsheng, from Huidong County, Guangdong Province. He is a council member of the Buddhist Association of China, a member of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and secretary-general of the Guangdong Buddhist Association.

Address: No. 109, Guangxiao Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou

Type: Historical Site / Temple

Recommended Visit Duration: About 2 hours

Phone: 020-81088867

Opening Hours:

6:00-17:00

Transportation

Take bus No. 4, 88, 186, 250, or 823 and get off at Ximenkou Station. Alternatively, take Metro Line 1 to Ximenkou Station, exit from Exit B (Guangxiao Road), and walk about 8 minutes to reach the site.

Admission Fee

5 RMB per person, half price for students, free for seniors over 70. A postcard of Chen Clan Ancestral Hall is given upon ticket purchase. The ticket can also be used as a cash voucher for meals at the temple’s vegetarian dining hall.

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Further Reading:

· First Batch of Major National Historical and Cultural Sites