Guanghai Linghu Ancient Temple

　　Located on Linghu Lake east of Xiangshan Mountain in Guanghai Town, Taishan, Linghu Temple was built during the Northern and Southern Dynasties. Nestled against Xiangshan Mountain (the Black Tortoise), the temple presents an auspicious formation: to its left is Lotus Mountain (symbolizing the Azure Dragon), to its right is Tiger Head Mountain (symbolizing the White Tiger), and in front lies a sandbar where two small mounds form a break — the smaller one resembling a miniature elephant that acts as the Vermilion Bird (the Altar Hill). A natural lake formed here, hence the name “Linghu.” The temple’s origins trace back to the first year of the Tianjian era (502 AD) during the reign of Emperor Wu of Liang, when the eminent Indian monk Master Zhiyao Sanzang brought two sacred bodhi trees by sea to China. Forced off course by a typhoon, he landed at Guanghai Linghu and established a secluded hermitage there. He planted China’s first bodhi tree within the monastery grounds. Later, Master Zhiyao went to Guangzhou's Guangxiao Temple, where he planted the second bodhi tree on the ordination platform and erected a stele prophesying: “In 170 years, a living Buddha will appear under this tree, expounding the supreme Dharma, transmitting the Buddha’s mind-seal, and liberating countless beings.” He then traveled to Shaoguan’s Mount BaoLin in Qujiang, Caoxi, where he founded Nanhua Temple and erected another stele prophesying: “In 176 years, a living bodhisattva will come here to preach the supreme Dharma, and those who attain enlightenment will be as numerous as trees in a forest.” In the first year of the Longsu era of the Tang Dynasty (Year of Xinyou), the Sixth Patriarch of Chan Buddhism, Master Huineng, received the Dharma from the Fifth Patriarch at Huangmei, Hubei, and returned south. On the eighth day of the second lunar month in the Year of Bingzi, he was ordained and received precepts under the bodhi tree planted by Master Zhiyao Sanzang at Guangxiao Temple in Guangzhou. He later went to Mount BaoLin in Caoxi, Shaoguan, to revive Nanhua Temple and promote the sudden enlightenment doctrine. Because both prophecies of Master Zhiyao regarding the Sixth Patriarch came true, they became legendary through the ages, which is how the temple got its name. With accumulated merit, the incense offerings flourished, and the temple’s statues and halls grew stately and elegant. The lotus lamps burned eternally, and it became known as an auspicious blessed land. East of Guanghai Town, on Lotus Ocean, a big elephant carries a small one — a sign that generations would produce monks, earning it early fame as a sacred realm. With its long history, the temple’s renown grew ever stronger. Over time, however, disasters destroyed the halls, and their golden hues faded. Linghu Temple was first ruined in the late Song Dynasty. It was rebuilt in the 8th year of the Zhi Zheng era of the Yuan Dynasty (1348 AD), renovated again in the 30th year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1397 AD), but during the chaos between native and non-native factions from the 6th year of the Xianfeng era (1856 AD) to the 2nd year of the Tongzhi era (1863 AD) of the Qing Dynasty, the temple was burned down, leaving only scorched earth. In the 10th year of the Guangxu era (1884 AD), Peng Fengtong of Guanghai Qishi, inspired by his aspirations for monastic life, led the reconstruction. Upon completion, his virtuous deeds were fulfilled, and the reconstructed Lingnan-style architecture was grand and majestic. The temple was then renamed “Linghu Ancient Temple.” In 1937, the temple suffered another devastation. In 1947, Abbot Jici received donations from lay patron Yu Pei, a Qishi construction businessman, allowing minor repairs. However, due to social upheaval, the relentless passage of time, and changing circumstances, the once-renowned temple was reduced to being used as a sanatorium and military horse pasture.

　　Now, with the nation prospering and religious policies being implemented, the temple properties of Linghu have been returned to Buddhist management. On July 11, 2006, Venerable Renwei, a resident monk of Guangzhou’s Great Buddha Temple, arrived at Linghu Temple upon the recommendation of leaders from the Taishan Museum. He had made a vow in a dream during midsummer of the Year of Yiyou and came to restore the sacred site and revive the patriarchal tradition. The ancient temple lay in ruins, and the master lamented, “The sangha is withered, and the monastery is desolate.” With enduring resolve to rebuild, taking advantage of enlightened policies, longstanding virtuous aspirations, extensive karmic affinities, and a heartfelt desire to see the sacred realm restored, he undertook the mission. With the support of leaders from the Jiangmen Municipal CPPCC, Taishan Municipal Government, and Guanghai Town at all levels, as well as backing from numerous benefactors at home and abroad, and the blessing of Master Zhiyao Sanzang in his eternal light, the reconstruction commenced on an auspicious day marking Guanyin Bodhisattva’s renunciation during the Year of Bingxu. The rebuilding of the Tusita Inner Court of Linghu Temple was completed on the 26th day of the final month of the same year. Spanning several months, the project incurred massive expenses. Thanks to the mobilization of generous lay devotees from Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhongshan, Foshan, and Jiangmen, vast sums were donated for the temple’s construction. Significant contributions also came from a major benefactor in Jiangmen who helped raise funds to welcome a jade Buddha and adorn the shrine hall. Devotees associated with Linghu pooled resources to create a grand Mount Sumeru. A radiant light shone forth. Subsequently, colleagues from the Dongguan Guanghai Fellow Townsmen Association donated a bronze incense burner for the hall exterior and paved 180 square meters of granite slabs in the temple’s front plaza. With the shared devotion of these great patrons, noble aspirations, and magnanimous actions, the collective merit was accomplished, the garden re-emerged, and the monastery halls were adorned beautifully. The Buddha’s light shines universally, illuminating the golden realms; the sound of ocean tides rises, and the chants echo to the heavens; the lotus-cloud dharma rain bestows boundless blessings upon humans and gods alike. To commend these virtuous deeds and praise these good people, a stone stele is prepared — to glorify their meritorious achievements.

　　Address: East side of Guanghai Town, Taishan City