Linhe Ciyun Temple

Linhe Ciyun Temple

Linhe Ciyun Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Ciyun Temple is located in Xinhua Town, Linhe District, Bayannur City, Inner Mongolia. The temple is only 49 kilometers away from Linhe District, the capital of Bayannur City, and is accessible via two provincial highways, making transportation very convenient. The temple was founded in 1938. Initially, it started as just two earthen houses built by a generous man surnamed Zhang who spent all his family fortune. Mr. Zhang once predicted that the temple would later welcome eminent monks who would widely propagate the sacred teachings and carry on the Buddha’s legacy. At that time, it was a Chinese Buddhist temple. In 1945, three additional halls including the Mahavira Hall were added. However, due to years of neglect and damage during the Cultural Revolution, these three halls fell into near ruin. After the reform and opening-up in 1982, with the full implementation of the Party’s religious policies, and strong support from the municipal and district governments as well as devotees, Venerable Miaojin built a 430-square-meter Guanyin Hall and an 88-square-meter mountain gate on the original site. In 2001, in response to the sincere requests of many Han Chinese devotees, the accomplished Vajra Master Jiumei Esa came from Tibet to take his seat at Ciyun Temple.

The current temple complex includes a mountain gate, Guanyin Hall, Longshu Hall, Dizang Hall, Maitreya Stupa, Esoteric Buddhism Courtyard, God of Wealth Hall, Monks' Quarters, and the under-construction Principal Deity Hall and Trikaya Hall. The mountain gate is a flush-gable style structure, with a large smiling Maitreya Buddha statue in the center, greeting all beings with joy, often “laughing at the laughable” and “embracing the unbearable.”

Ciyun Temple is administratively under the jurisdiction of the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau of Linhe District and is independently managed and operated by the temple itself. Originally built in the 26th year of the Republic of China, i.e., 1938, it is currently undergoing land acquisition for expansion. Every year, a large number of pilgrims from surrounding areas come to offer incense.

Ciyun Temple holds various Buddhist activities annually on the 19th day of the second lunar month, the 10th day of the fifth lunar month, and the 19th day of the ninth lunar month. During these ceremonies, the master leads resident monks in chanting sutras and praying for blessings. The rituals are solemn, and the sounds of dharma horns and drums are stirring and awe-inspiring. Devotees flock to the temple during these times.

Source: Linhe District Tourism Bureau