Anji Lingfeng Temple

　　Lingfeng Temple is situated on Lingfeng Mountain (formerly known as Beitianmu) in Baishuiwan Township, southwest of Anji County in northern Zhejiang. It was first built in the first year of the Kaiping era of the Liang Dynasty during the Five Dynasties period (907 AD), originally named “Lingfeng Monastery.” Having a history of over a thousand years, it was once visited by Qian Liu, the King of Wuyue, who was captivated by the beauty of the rocky cliffs. After returning to Hangzhou, he bestowed upon the temple a plaque inscribed with “Lingfeng Ever Prosperous” to honor its mountain gate and also contributed to the temple’s restoration, giving it a renewed spiritual vibrancy. In the second year of the Jiading era of the Song Dynasty (1065 AD), it was renamed “Baifu Lecture Temple,” and Emperor Yingzong granted a jade seal to safeguard the mountain gate. In the twelfth year of the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, it was renamed once again to “Lingfeng Temple.”

　　Lingfeng Temple is one of the renowned temples in the Jiangnan region and serves as a sacred site of the Pure Land Buddhism lineage. Over the centuries, it has produced many eminent monks. The monk Yilin initiated the temple’s founding during the Liang Dynasty. During the Song Dynasty, there was monk Zhongxian; in the Yuan Dynasty, monk Ruyue; and in the late Ming Dynasty, Master Ouyi founded the Lingfeng Sect, pioneering a new Buddhist tradition.

　　During the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty, the temple was destroyed in warfare, leaving no structure intact. Master Diyin, the former abbot of Guoqing Temple on Tiantai Mountain, made a solemn vow to rebuild the temple. Through great perseverance, extensive fundraising efforts, and tireless dedication, he restored the main hall, mountain gate, meditation hall, and other structures.

　　The current or newly reconstructed Buddhist structures at Lingfeng Temple mainly include the mountain gate, the Heavenly King Hall, the Three Saints Hall, the Scripture Depository, monks' quarters, and guest rooms. There are also four stone steles: the “Reconstruction of Lingfeng Temple Stele,” the “Ming Daoren Zhixu Stele,” the “Fan Gongyun Stele,” and the “Lingfeng Baifu Temple Stele Inscription,” as well as the stupa of Master Ouyi. Towering ancient trees stand before the temple, accompanied by murmuring streams, while lush bamboo and woods flourish behind it, creating a tranquil environment that makes it an ideal place for devotees to practice and worshippers to pay their respects.