Songning Temple

　　Originally named - Temple, Songning Temple is located in Zhangji Village, Doumen Township, 30 kilometers south of the city. It is the only Buddhist temple of the Esoteric sect in China outside of Tibet, and was first built during the Sui and Tang dynasties, boasting a history of over a thousand years. During the reign of Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty, Songning Temple flourished, covering an area of more than 200 acres with over 200 halls and pavilions, and a monastic community of more than 500 monks. Emperor Qianlong once inscribed a plaque for - Temple that read “Civil officials dismount, military officers dismount,” which he wrote by hand. The temple was destroyed during the wars of the Republican era.

　　Under the leadership of lay devotee Wang Guochang, in 2002, 150,000 yuan was raised and 2 acres of land were acquired to restore - Temple. The temple now houses a Mahavira Hall and side halls, enshrining over ten Buddha and Bodhisattva statues including Sakyamuni, Amitabha, and the Medicine Buddha. The thousand-year-old ancient temple has once again radiated its former Buddhist light.

　　Source: Huaiyang Government Affairs Website