Dunhua Zhengjue Temple

　　 Zhengjue Temple is situated in the southern suburbs of Dunhua City, within the Liuding Mountain Scenic Area, approximately 4 kilometers from the city center. It was restored and rebuilt in 1993 by the temple’s third-generation lineage holder, the American-based eminent monk, Master Shi Foxing. Covering a total area of nearly 90,000 square meters, it is one of China’s largest temples and the world’s biggest nun monastery.

　　 The temple complex is divided into three sections: the hall area, the living quarters, and the Buddhist college. Along the central axis, five double-eaved grand halls—the Mountain Gate Hall, the Heavenly King Hall, the Mahavira Hall, the Guanyin Hall, and the Scripture Depository Hall—rise progressively with the mountain terrain. The bell and drum towers complement the ornamental archway gate, set against a backdrop of green mountains, clear waters, blue skies, and white clouds, all framed by red walls, yellow tiles, and overlapping pavilions.

　　 Among them, the Mahavira Hall has a construction area of 1,200 square meters and is situated on a three-tiered fenced terrace adorned with a nine-dragon inkstone-carved imperial path.

　　 Inside the hall, three camphorwood Buddha statues, each 12.5 meters tall, along with a ceramic mural depicting the enlightenment of Sakyamuni created in Jingdezhen, eight marble dragon pillars, Yunnan Jianchuan green-wood carved partition doors, and an exquisitely ornate caisson ceiling are all masterpieces of temple architecture.

　　 The hexagonal Guanyin Hall with six pavilions is particularly distinctive. The hall houses a six-faced, six-thousand-armed-and-eyed Guanyin statue covered with 6.6 kilograms of pure gold, making it a unique artistic masterpiece in the world. Exquisite stone carvings, wood carvings, painted artworks, and calligraphy by renowned figures such as Zhao Puchu further enrich the temple’s splendor. Villa-style Western-style buildings complement the traditional Chinese architecture of the main hall area. Together with the lake and mountain scenery, the tolling of bells, and the chanting of sutras, they reflect Master Foxing’s character and spirit of spreading Buddhism in the Americas and blending Eastern and Western cultures.

　　 Zhengjue Temple is not only a masterpiece of religious culture but also an exemplary fusion of ancient and modern architecture. It is a group of highly realistic imitation ancient buildings constructed using modern building materials and techniques. Thus, Zhengjue Temple is also an artistic gem where modern scientific materials are applied to classical-style architecture. The inscriptions “New Splendor in the Buddhist Realm” and “Radiance over the Mountain Ridges,” penned by Mr. Ji Xianlin, perfectly encapsulate the essence of the temple.