Jinglian Temple

　　 Jinglian Temple (formerly known as Kaiyuan Temple or Jade Emperor Pavilion) is situated on the mountainside of Dongshan in the eastern suburbs of Qianxi County. Covering a temple area of 2,500 square meters, it is the legendary "Ten Cypress Zen Rooms" and one of the eight scenic spots of Qianxi, as well as a renowned tourist attraction.

　　 Dongshan is part of the Lion Mountain range. The county town is nestled among surrounding peaks, giving rise to the age-old saying "Nine Lions Frolic Around the Lotus City." Jinglian Temple is built within the mouth of a turning lion, resembling a radiant pearl in the lion’s jaws. The site boasts a majestic atmosphere, with towering peaks standing opposite each other, a stream flowing around the temple, and water as green as jade. Ancient trees surround the temple, with some silver cypresses still standing. In front of the temple, there remains a 300-year-old ginkgo tree that is still lush with foliage and heavy with fruit. From the front of the temple, one can gaze out at the cityscape: rows of tall buildings stand closely together, while people and vehicles shuttle endlessly along the wide cement roads. To the east, the Shuixi Park features pavilions, towers, and terraces tucked away among green trees. Enjoying the natural scenery and rural vistas of the urban fringe, with a gentle breeze blowing, is truly refreshing to the mind and spirit.

　　 According to historical records, the predecessor of Jinglian Temple was Kaiyuan Temple. In the fifth year of the Kangxi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1666 AD), the founding monk Tie She established the temple here, which has now stood for 338 years. In his later years, he passed the temple on to his disciples Gui Yin and Zhi Yong. After Monk Tie She passed away, he was buried on the mountain to the left, where his memorial stele can still be found today. During the Qing Dynasty's Qianlong era, the Jade Emperor Pavilion was built on the original site of the temple, and thus Kaiyuan Temple came to be called Jade Emperor Pavilion. Since the Republic of China era, Kaiyuan Temple has endured the vicissitudes of time, and its halls and pavilions were almost completely destroyed. It was not until after the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China that the county party committee and government earnestly implemented the Party’s religious policies, allowing the temple to be restored. In 1993, Master Hui Hai from Hongfu Temple on Qianling Mountain personally visited Qianxi for inspection and named the restored temple “Jinglian Temple.”

　　 The main structure of Jinglian Temple—the Mahavira Hall—features a couplet on its entrance that masterfully balances strength and grace: “Green Cypresses Await Guests to Visit the Grand Hall of Dongshan; Ginkgo Trees Greet Venerable Visitors to Worship the Buddhist Countenance of Jinglian.” Inside the hall, statues of 28 deities are enshrined, including Sakyamuni Buddha, Manjushri, Samantabhadra, the Three Saints of the West, and the Eighteen Arhats. In front of the hall are statues of the Monk Jigong, the Jade Buddha, and Skanda (Weituo). The divine figures are diverse in expression, naturally formed, and strikingly lifelike. Below and to the east of the main hall stands a single-story building with three rooms.