Mian County Tiandeng Temple

　　Tiandeng Temple is situated four kilometers north of Mian County at the southern foot of Tiandang Mountain; it faces the Han River and overlooks Dingjun Mountain, embraced by mountains and waters, creating a naturally beautiful setting. Its founding date is unknown, but it is said that Tiandeng Temple was built during the Eastern Han Dynasty, hence the saying “Han Xin Temple came first, Tiandeng Temple came later.”

　　During the Ming and Qing dynasties, ancient trees surrounded the temple, creating a tranquil and elegant atmosphere. Beside the temple was a fountain that flowed year-round; outside the temple’s mountain gate stood a huge rock, believed to be the stepping stone used by Huang Zhong when he returned to camp after beheading Xiahou Yuan. When night fell, the area above the temple would shine as bright as daylight, which is how it got the name Tiandeng Temple (Heavenly Lantern Temple). In the eighth year of the Jiaqing reign of the Qing Dynasty, Chan Master Xinyu assumed the position of abbot at the temple. He preached Dharma and precepts, upheld monastic discipline, raised funds, repaired halls, restored the cultural peak, and completed the pagoda, enduring wind and rain, and bearing great hardship. After thirty-nine years, all construction projects were completed, resulting in a magnificent architectural complex gleaming with gold and glazed tiles. In the spring of the second year of the Tongzhi reign, rebels set fire to the temple, reducing it to ashes. In the winter of the thirteenth year of the Tongzhi reign, three solemnly arranged Buddhist halls were rebuilt, featuring a grand and imposing layout.

　　Through the long passage of time and many trials, Tiandeng Temple has changed beyond recognition... In December 1996, the People's Government of Mian County, in response to the wishes of many Buddhists, approved the reopening of Tiandeng Temple as a place for Buddhist activities. Over the past decade, through the joint efforts of the temple monks and devoted followers, structures such as the Hall of Three Saints, Hall of Medicine Buddha, Monks’ Residence Building, Wealth Buddha Hall, Thousand Buddha Cave, Medicine King Cave, Thousand Buddha Bell Pavilion, Scripture Depository, Dragon King Hall, and Mahavira Hall have been successively constructed, and an overall plan for the temple has been developed.

　　Address: Huangjiagou Village, four kilometers north of Mian County, Hanzhong City, Shaanxi Province