Guanyin Temple on the South Bank

　　Chongqing’s Nan’an District Guanyin Temple is a great venue that integrates religious culture and art with religious activities. Situated on Xuefu Avenue in Nan’an District and facing west with its back against the Nanshan Mountain, the ancient temple was originally built during the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty. It is also located by the Yuxi River and Yuxi Bridge, hence the name Yuxi Bridge Guanyin Temple. Before the liberation, it served as a family temple; now, it functions as a nunnery following the Linji school of Buddhism. After the liberation, religious activities were halted, the nuns dispersed, and the temple fell into disrepair. In 1982, it reopened, with new Buddha halls and auxiliary buildings constructed, presenting a completely renewed look. Today, there are 11 bhikkhunis and over 20 resident lay practitioners.

　　In 1982, Guanyin Temple on the South Bank was approved by the Chongqing Municipal Government as a Buddhist activity site. In 1994, the Nan’an District Government of Chongqing issued a “Religious Activity Venue” registration certificate to the temple, with Venerable Changmin serving as the abbess. In 2007, the Nan’an District Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau issued a new certificate (No. Yu F000090003), recognizing it as a municipal-level religious activity site. When it first reopened, the temple buildings were in dilapidated condition. Under the correct leadership of the Party and government, the management team of Guanyin Temple on the South Bank united the broad mass of believers, promoted the spirit of patriotism, love for Buddhism, and hard work, and through the dedicated efforts of two generations of abbesses, donations from devotees, and sponsorship from members of the public, the temple has gradually flourished and become a well-known temple across the city.

　　Covering an area of 1,704 square meters, Guanyin Temple on the South Bank consists of three buildings with a total floor space of nearly 6,000 square meters, all built with reinforced concrete structures. The main building stands 30 meters tall, featuring red walls, yellow tiles, upturned eaves, and is both majestic and magnificent, with 11 halls in total. The first floor houses the Maitreya Hall, Seven Buddhas Hall, and the God of Wealth Hall. The mezzanine between the first and second floors includes the Kṣitigarbha Hall, Amitabha Hall, and Jade Guanyin Hall. The second floor contains the Mahavira Hall and Skanda Hall. The third floor enshrines a wooden statue of the Four-faced Thousand-armed Guanyin, while the fourth floor serves as the Scripture Depository. The total floor space of the halls is 2,200 square meters. This kind of architectural layout of halls is rare among temples. To the east of the main building is a comprehensive building, with the Historical Guanyin Hall on the first floor. To the south is the Dining Hall.

　　The grand gate of Guanyin Temple on the South Bank was demolished in 2003 during the expansion of Xuefu Avenue, and the inscription plaque engraved with a couplet by Elder Wei was also destroyed.

　　The Maitreya Hall of Guanyin Temple on the South Bank also functions as the mountain gate hall. At the center is a gilded clay statue of the Laughing Buddha, 300 cm tall, seated comfortably on a lotus base with a painted halo. On both sides are four gilded clay statues of the Heavenly Kings, each holding weapons and trampling on demons. Inside the gate, on the left and right sides, are the gilded clay statues of the Door Gods Heng and Ha, also armed. The Seven Buddhas Hall enshrines seven gilded clay statues of the Buddhas, each 300 cm tall, standing on lotus bases with painted halos. To the south of the Seven Buddhas Hall is the Gilded Avalokitesvara of Vision, holding the Dharma Eye. To the north is the Gilded Medicine Buddha. To the northwest is the Gilded Hall of the God of Wealth (both literary and martial).

　　The Kṣitigarbha Hall enshrines the Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva, the Eastern Peak Emperor, the Southern Peak Emperor, the Ten Kings of Hell, and numerous minor demons. To the north of the Kṣitigarbha Hall is the Amitabha Hall, which houses a gilded stone statue of Amitabha, 100 cm tall. To the northwest is the Jade Guanyin Hall, enshrining a jade Guanyin statue adorned with gold and colored glaze, 180 cm tall and standing on a lotus base. In August 1993, it was brought back to the temple by Venerable Changmin from Myanmar and donated by lay devotee Chen Zhengwei.

　　The second floor of the main building is the Mahavira Hall, covering a construction area of 225 square meters. In the center, facing north, is a gilded clay statue of Sakyamuni Buddha sitting in the lotus position, 300 cm tall, with a painted halo. On the left and right are the gilded clay statues of Ānanda and Mahākāśyapa, each 180 cm tall. Behind Sakyamuni Buddha are the Three Saints of the West, each 500 cm tall. To the south is the statue of Manjushri, and to the north is Samantabhadra, both gilded clay statues 300 cm tall. To the west of the Mahavira Hall is the Skanda Hall, where in the center, facing east, is a gilded clay statue of Skanda, 300 cm tall, holding a vajra. On the left and right are eight gilded clay statues of fierce guardians, each 180 cm tall, holding weapons and adorned with painted clouds. To the north is the Merit Wall commemorating the temple's construction, featuring a stele inscribed with the merits of Venerable Weixian (see Attachment 1). The wall consists of 31 pieces of white marble, with a bluestone base, carved dragon ball patterns, a bluestone top, a hip-and-gable roof, and imitation tile edges.

　　The third floor of the main building is the Ten-faced Thousand-armed Guanyin Hall. In the center is a gilded wooden statue of the Four-faced Thousand-armed Guanyin, 470 cm tall, standing on a 100 cm-high lotus pedestal, holding various ritual implements. In 1996, it was respectfully brought back to the temple by Venerable Changmin from Ta’er Monastery in Qinghai Province. To the northwest and southwest are the Bell Tower and Drum Tower respectively.

　　The Comprehensive Building’s Guanyin Hall, facing north in the center, enshrines a gilded stone Guanyin statue, a gilded copper Guanyin statue, a gilded copper Medicine Guanyin statue, a gilded jade reclining Buddha, and a gilded copper Maitreya statue.

　　The Five Contemplations Dining Hall of Guanyin Temple on the South Bank can accommodate 300 people dining simultaneously. Its vegetarian cuisine is famous far and wide.

　　Every year on the 2nd day of the 3rd lunar month, Guanyin Temple on the South Bank holds a Lianghuang Baochan Ceremony; on the 19th days of the 2nd, 6th, and 9th lunar months, it celebrates the Guanyin Birthday Ceremonies; it also holds the New Year’s Midnight Incense Ceremony, as well as traditional temple fairs on the 1st and 15th of each lunar month. During these events, the temple is bustling with thousands of visitors.

　　The temple currently houses six key cultural relics: a wooden Four-faced Thousand-armed Guanyin statue, a jade Guanyin statue, a jade reclining Buddha statue, a wooden Bhaisajyaguru statue, a stone God of Wealth statue, and a pair of embroidered Vajra banners. The other Buddha statues are all made of clay, coated with raw lacquer, modeled, and gilded, totaling over 300 statues. There are also seven wooden plaques and 17 pairs of couplets, all exquisitely crafted. It forms a well-rounded venue integrating religious culture and art with regular religious activities, complete with full functionality and facilities.