Ankang Jintang Temple

　　Jintang Temple is located five li east of Ankang city. The Kangxi-era "Xing'an Prefecture Records" states: "At the foot of Nanshan, a newly built Chan monastery." The "Supplementary Xing'an Prefecture Records" states: "Jintang Temple was built in the sixth year of the Jiading era of the Song Dynasty (1213)." The "Reconstruction of Jintang Temple Monastery Stele," embedded in the Mahavira Hall of Jintang Temple in the 29th year of the Daoguang era (1849), reads: "About five li southeast outside the eastern gate of Ankang City stands an ancient Jintang Temple atop a mountain. Though the mountain is not high, it faces water in front and dense woods behind. At dawn, mist and rosy clouds rise all around; by evening, birds sing in chorus. During hot summer days, literary and military dignitaries would come here to enjoy the scenery, finding the place serene and elegant — truly a scenic gem of Ankang."

　　During the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty, Master Rigao presided over Shuangxi Temple and incorporated Jintang Temple as a subordinate branch, also called a branch monastery. In the ninth year of the Guangxu era, during the ordination period at Shuangxi Temple, thousands of monks from far and wide gathered. Among them was Master Yinguang, a renowned Buddhist figure, who received full monastic precepts from Master Haiding of Shuangxi Temple. Since Yinguang was skilled in calligraphy, he was sent to Jintang Temple to copy precepts, working day and night without rest until his eyes turned completely red and he nearly went blind. Master Haiding then had him read the "Dragon-Shu Pure Land Writings." After reading it, Yinguang came to understand the Pure Land path of rebirth through Buddha-recitation, realizing that the body is the root of suffering. He then began dedicating his spare time to chanting the Buddha’s name. Even after others had gone to sleep, he would sit up to continue chanting, and even while writing, his mind remained fixed on the Buddha. Though he struggled to complete the copying due to exhaustion, he managed to persevere, and by the end of the ordination period, his eyesight had fully recovered. From then on, he devoted himself entirely to the Pure Land path, a commitment that began at Jintang Temple. To commemorate Master Yinguang’s initiation of Pure Land practice at Jintang Temple, the Jintang Chan Monastery was converted into a Pure Land practice site, focusing on teaching Pure Land doctrines and promoting the merit of single-minded Buddha-recitation.

　　In the winter of 1981, with the implementation of religious policies, Monk Guxun was responsible for taking over Jintang Temple. In October 1982, under the leadership of Guxun, the Ankang Buddhist Management Committee was established at Jintang Temple. Its members included Venerables Guxun and Guanhui, as well as lay practitioners Guo Youjin, Yang Zhimin, Li Guangfu, Wang Zushun, and Chen Daolian — seven people in total. Since then, Jintang Temple has served as the Buddhist activity center of Hanbin District.

　　Transportation Guide

　　Location: Bashan East Road, Eastern Suburbs, Ankang City, Shaanxi Province

　　Transit: Take bus no. 1 within Ankang city and get off at the Jintang Temple stop.