Jinyun Temple

　　Jinyun Temple is located in Beibei, Chongqing. It sits within the 1,500-year-old Buddhist site of Jinyun Mountain and was first built in the first year of the Jingping era (423 AD) during the Liu Song Dynasty of the Southern Dynasties. It has been known by various names in the past, such as "Xiangsi Temple," "Chongsheng Temple," and "Chongjiao Temple," and has received imperial recognition across dynasties. Jinyun Temple is the only ancient monastery in China dedicated to the Kasyapa Buddha. The temple has a long tradition of education, having once housed the "Jinyun Academy."

　　Jinyun Temple was first built in the first year of the Jingping era (423 AD) during the Liu Song Dynasty of the Southern Dynasties and has received imperial recognition across dynasties. Emperor Gaozu of Tang (Li Yuan) personally inscribed its name as "Chan Zhen Gong" in 618 AD. In the first year of the Dazhong era (847 AD) during the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Xuanzong bestowed the temple with the name "Xiangsi Temple," named after the local Xiangsi Rock, Xiangsi Bamboo, and Xiangsi Birds. In 874 AD, during the Tang Dynasty, Monk Dingji rebuilt the temple. In 971 AD, Monk Huihuan supervised the restoration of the temple buildings. In 998 AD, Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty sent 240 volumes of Sanskrit scriptures that Emperor Taizong had read to the temple for enshrinement. In the fourth year of the Jingde era (1007 AD), Emperor Zhenzong renamed the temple "Chongsheng Temple." In the fifth year of the Yongle era (1407 AD) during the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Chengzu issued an imperial decree praising the "Scenic Beauty of Jinyun." In the first year of the Tian Shun era (1462 AD), Emperor Yingzong renamed the temple "Chongjiao Temple." In 1602 AD, the 30th year of the Wanli era, Emperor Shenzong ordered the temple to be renamed Jinyun Temple and bestowed the inscription "Kasyapa Buddha's Monastery," which is still preserved today.

　　The Northern and Southern Dynasties Period

　　· In the late Jin Dynasty, General Liu Yu conquered two separatist forces in the north and south, forced the last emperor of the Jin Dynasty to abdicate, and ascended the throne himself, establishing a new Han Chinese regime in 420 AD with its capital in Jiankang and the state title of Song, historically referred to as the Liu Song or Former Song Dynasty. This marked the beginning of the Northern and Southern Dynasties period. Three years later, Liu Yu, historically known as Emperor Wu of Song, passed away, and his son succeeded him, changing the era name to Jingping. Jinyun Temple was built in the first year of Jingping, 424 AD, by Master Ciyun.

　　The Tang Dynasty Period

　　· In 617 AD, during the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, Li Yuan, the military governor of Taiyuan, led his son Li Shimin in a revolt from Jinyang, captured Chang’an, and declared himself emperor, establishing the Tang Dynasty. He became Emperor Gaozu of Tang. In 618 AD, Emperor Gaozu of Tang, Li Yuan, personally inscribed the name "Chan Zhen Gong" and bestowed it upon Jinyun Temple, and thus the temple was renamed Chan Zhen Gong.

　　· In 847 AD, during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, the suppression of Buddhism by Emperor Wuzong was reversed. It’s possible that the Chan Zhen Gong had suffered damage during Emperor Wuzong’s rule. Because the temple was near Xiangsi Rock and Xiangsi Trees, Emperor Xuanzong renamed the temple Xiangsi Temple. Although Buddhism traditionally upholds precepts against romantic attachment — making the name “Xiangsi” (Longing) somewhat inappropriate — the imperial decree could not be refused.

　　· In 874 AD, during the reign of Emperor Yizong of Tang, there was a major promotion of Buddhism. The temple was rebuilt under the direction of Monk Dingjian and retained its original name.

　　The Song Dynasty Period

　　· In 960 AD, in the Later Zhou Dynasty of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, generals acclaimed Zhao Kuangyin as their leader by draping a yellow robe over him — an event historically known as the Chenqiao Mutiny. The last emperor of Later Zhou abdicated to him, and he established the Song Dynasty. In 964 AD, the Song Dynasty sent troops to conquer Shu. In 971 AD, Monk Huichui of the temple conducted another round of renovations at Xiangsi Temple.

　　· In 998 AD, during the reign of Emperor Zhenzong, the third emperor of the Song Dynasty, following the peasant uprising led by Wang Xiaobo on Mount Qingcheng in Sichuan in 993 AD — which established the Great Shu regime — the Song Dynasty sent troops to suppress the revolt and emerged victorious. Emperor Zhenzong sent 240 volumes of Sanskrit scriptures that his father, Emperor Taizong, had read, to Xiangsi Temple for preservation and worship, hoping the sacred texts would help dispel the curse that “when the world is not yet in chaos, Shu is the first to fall into disorder.” These scriptures remain in the temple to this day and are considered national treasures. Later, in 1007 AD, Emperor Zhenzong renamed Xiangsi Temple to Chongsheng Temple, symbolizing the victory over Shu.

　　The Ming Dynasty Period

　　· In 1368 AD, Zhu Yuanzhang established the Ming Dynasty. His third son, Zhu Di, ascended the throne and is historically known as the Ming Chengzu or Emperor Yongle. In 1408 AD, the fifth year of the Yongle era, the emperor bestowed the plaque “Scenic Beauty of Jinyun” upon Chongsheng Temple. The plaque was delivered to the temple and carved onto the horizontal beam of the stone memorial archway, where it remains to this day.

　　· In 1457 AD, the Ming Dynasty saw the “Restoration of the Throne” or “Gate-Crashing Incident,” in which Emperor Yingzong reclaimed the throne. He ascended in 1462 AD and renamed Chongsheng Temple to Chongjiao Temple.

　　· In 1572 AD, Zhu Yijun ascended the throne as Emperor Shenzong of the Ming Dynasty, adopting the era name Wanli. In 1602 AD, the 30th year of the Wanli era, Emperor Shenzong ordered Chongjiao Temple to be renamed Jinyun Temple and personally inscribed the words “Kasyapa Buddha’s Monastery,” which were carved onto the horizontal beam of the stone archway in front of the temple. These inscriptions remain to this day and are important historical relics of the temple.

　　· In the late Ming and early Qing periods, the temple was destroyed by fire. Legend says this was because the monks at the time acted tyrannically toward the surrounding communities, and the local people, who deeply resented them, took advantage of Zhang Xianzhong’s invasion of Sichuan to gather a mob, march up the mountain, and set the temple ablaze. The current temple structure was restored in 1683 AD, the 22nd year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, under the direction of Monk Pokong.

　　· During the Republican era, Jinyun Temple became the site of the Han-Tibetan Buddhist College, a Buddhist seminary headed by Master Taixu. It trained renowned Buddhist masters such as Zhao Puchu and Wei Xian. During the Anti-Japanese War, Chiang Kai-shek personally visited Jinyun Temple to meet with Master Taixu.