Guangjiao Chan Temple on Wolf Hill

　　Era; Ming to Qing Dynasty

　　Address: Located on Wolf Hill in the southern suburbs of Nantong City, Jiangsu Province

　　In the history of Chinese Buddhism, Wolf Hill is the bodhimanda of Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva and one of China’s “Eight Lesser Famous Mountains.”

　　Guangjiao Temple was built in the second year of the Zongzhang era of the Tang Dynasty (669 AD), making it an ancient temple with over 1,300 years of history. According to the Tongzhou Annals: “In the second year of the Zongzhang era of the Tang Dynasty, the Great Buddha’s Hall, halls, and abbot’s quarters were first constructed.” At that time, the mountain was surrounded by vast waters, and boats were used to reach it, hence it was called Cihang Monastery, later renamed Guangjiao Temple. The founding patriarch enshrined at Wolf Hill is Monk Sengjia, also known as the Great Sage of Wolf Hill. Legend has it that at the time, Wolf Hill was occupied by a white wolf spirit. The Great Sage Monk Sengjia battled the white wolf spirit with magic, covering the entire mountain with his kasaya robe to subdue the evil wolf, forcing the white wolf to cede the mountain. From then on, incense offerings flourished here, making it a blessed Buddhist site. Monk Sengjia was a renowned high monk of the Tang Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, he traveled to Chang’an and Luoyang, treating illnesses and gaining great fame. When he traveled south through the Jianghuai region, he cured diseases and managed waterworks, earning praise from the people. Emperor Zhongzong of Tang honored him as National Preceptor. Later generations referred to him as the “Great Sage Bodhisattva.”