Ankang Longxing Temple

　　   Longxing Temple is situated on Longwang Mountain on the northern bank of the Han River in Ankang City. According to the "Inscription on the Survey of Longxing Temple's Boundaries" erected in June of the eighth year of the Xianfeng reign during the Qing Dynasty: “Longxing Temple was first established in the first year of the Ming Tian Shun era (1457), built by Monk Hongzhan of Tiansheng Temple, who set up a thatched hut and solicited donations to construct it.” Hence, it is also referred to as a branch temple of Tiansheng Temple. During the Ming Chenghua period, it was destroyed in the chaos caused by the peasant rebellion led by Liu Qianjin and Monk Shiheshang. In the Jiajing era, local residents Guan Gang and Bao Li donated mountain forests to rebuild it. From then on, it became a renowned mountain site in the region. The "Xing'an Zhou Zhi · Mountains and Rivers" section of the Kangxi-era Qing Dynasty records: “Thirty li northeast lies Longwang Mountain,” which has a temple named Longxing (also known as Longxing), making it a scenic highlight of the prefecture. In the second year of the Jiaqing reign, the White Lotus Sect peasant army was active in southern Hanzhong, and local residents cut down trees in front of and behind the temple to facilitate rolling logs and hurling stones. As a result, the trees in front of and behind the mountain were completely cleared, leading to its abandonment. From the late Qing Dynasty to the Republican period, it was occupied by Taoist practitioners.

　　   In 1988, Master Guanhui ascended the Golden Hall, erected a dharma banner, and preached spontaneously. Devotees flocked from all directions, initiating the revival of the Golden Hall, restoring Shuangxi, and rebuilding Longxing. He later took residence on Longwang Mountain, undertook major construction projects, and gradually developed the site into a grand temple, making it one of the leading temples in Hanbin. It formed a tripartite balance with Jin Tang Temple, Shuangxi Temple, and Tiansheng Temple.

　　   Under the leadership of Master Guanhui, who endured countless hardships and with the support of followers and government efforts, a legitimate practice site was established. Covering an area of over 3,400 square meters, it includes the Mahavira Hall, the Four Heavenly Kings Hall, the Thousand-Hand Thousand-Eye Guanyin Hall, the Thai Jade Reclining Buddha Hall, a scripture depository housing tens of thousands of volumes, a Dharma preaching hall, a bell tower with a one-ton copper bell, a drum tower featuring a 1.5-meter-diameter drum, as well as the Dragon King Temple and the Patriarch Hall. Outside the mountain gate, there is a stupa for collective cremation and a 156-step Cloud-Ascending Stairway. Within the compound, there are over a hundred rooms including reception areas, guest rooms, monastic quarters, and the Cloud-Watching Pavilion, capable of accommodating more than 500 visitors and monks for lodging and dining. The temple buildings feature glazed flying eaves, an elegant style, a pleasant ambiance, and reliable communication.

　　   After the master’s passing, his disciples built a stupa for his relics in the mid-autumn of 2004. The entire stupa is crafted from Suzhou Taihu granite, with pieces carved and assembled. It covers an area of 200 square meters. The stupa has 18 levels and is 4.9 meters high, divided into three parts: the base, the body, and the spire. The base has six levels, while the body and spire have twelve. The base houses the master’s holy relics, and the body enshrines several Buddhist scriptures. The 18 levels symbolize 10 virtuous acts and the Eightfold Path. The height of 4.9 meters represents the 49 years the Buddha spent teaching. The six levels of the base represent the Six Perfections. The twelve levels of the body and spire represent the Twelve Nidānas. The four dragons carved on the four sides of the base signify favorable weather and prosperity in all seasons. The eight dragons on the railing represent harmony in all directions, peace for the nation and its people, and global harmony. The Buddhist scriptures inside the stupa represent the Buddha’s teachings and are available for worship by the faithful.