Huacheng Temple
Encyclopedia
Huacheng Temple is the oldest and most prominent temple in Mount Jiuhua. It has a history of more than 1,500 years.
, Tanhao monk was in charge and called it "Huacheng". In Jianzhong 2nd year(781), governor of Chizhou, Zhang Yan, got approval from central government, and moved the old board "Huacheng" to this temple. In Zhengyuan 10th year(794), Jin Qiaojue died at 99, and fellow monks regarded him as the incarnation of Ksitigarbha
or Dizang. Ever since Huacheng Temple was dedicated to Dizang.
In late South Song Dynasty
, the abbot was Guangzong, later called Guangchuan monk. In 1321 of Yuan Dynasty
, the abbot was Zhenguan, later called Wuxiang monk. In Hongwu 24th year(1391) of Ming Dynasty
, the abbots Zongling and Fajian expanded it to a Zen
Buddhist temple. In Xuande 10th year(1435), Fuqing monk of Linggu Temple
in Nanjing moved to Mount Jiuhua to preside over Huacheng Temple due to his old age. He rebuilt Grand Hall of the Great Sage, Cangjing, Zushi, Jingang, Tianwang and Jialan Halls, and also expanded Eastern Halls. In Zhengtong years, the abbots Daotai, and later Dugang, Fayan, Faguang expanded Foge, Fangzhang, Langwu, Dizang Hall and Shijie, forming Western Halls. In Longqing 6th year(1569), businessman Huang Longding of Anhui
donated to rebuild the temple. In Wanli 31st year(1603), the abbot Liangyuan went to Beijing and the central government bestowed purple garment on him.
In Kangxi 20 year (1681) of Qing Dynasty
, the governor of Chizhou, Yu Chenglong renovated the temple and built "Juhua Pavilion". The temple comprised Eastern and Western Palaces and totaled 72 halls. Thus, Huacheng Temple became the leading temple in Mount Jiuhua, called General Buddhist Temple. From Kangxi 42nd to 44th year (1703-1705), the emperor ordered his close servant to come to Mount Jiuhua to worship the temple three times, making donations and bestowing a board "Superior Place of Jiuhua"(九华圣境). In Qianlong 31st year(1766), it received another board written by the emperor, "Fragrant Grand Temple"(芬陀普教). However, in Xianfeng 7th year(1857), the temple was destroyed, and only Sutra Library was left. In Guangxu 16th year(1890), the abbot Lunfa and pilgrim Liu Hanfang and others donated to rebuild four halls. In 1926, Shi Rongxu founded "Jiangnan Mount Jiuhua Buddhist Academy" here.
The government of Qinyang County renovated the temple in 1955. But in 1968, all the Buddhist figures were destroyed. In 1981, the temple was rebuilt, and Mount Jiuhua Historical and Cultural Museum was opened. The preserved collection of more than 1,800 pieces was on exhibition. The temple has a land area of 3,500 square meters. On 8 September 1981, the government of Anhui
claimed Huacheng Temple as a key conserved location of historical relics. In 1983, the state council honored Huacheng Temple as national key Buddhist temple in Han area.
History
Huacheng Temple is the first temple and also the leading temple in Mount Jiuhua. It is said in Long'an 5th year(401), Jin Dynasty, Indian monk, Huaidu, built a small Buddhist temple here. During Kaiyuan years of Tang DynastyTang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
, Tanhao monk was in charge and called it "Huacheng". In Jianzhong 2nd year(781), governor of Chizhou, Zhang Yan, got approval from central government, and moved the old board "Huacheng" to this temple. In Zhengyuan 10th year(794), Jin Qiaojue died at 99, and fellow monks regarded him as the incarnation of Ksitigarbha
Ksitigarbha
Ksitigarbha is a bodhisattva primarily revered in East Asian Buddhism, usually depicted as a Buddhist monk in the Orient. The name may be translated as "Earth Treasury", "Earth Store", "Earth Matrix", or "Earth Womb"...
or Dizang. Ever since Huacheng Temple was dedicated to Dizang.
In late South Song Dynasty
Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
, the abbot was Guangzong, later called Guangchuan monk. In 1321 of Yuan Dynasty
Yuan Dynasty
The Yuan Dynasty , or Great Yuan Empire was a ruling dynasty founded by the Mongol leader Kublai Khan, who ruled most of present-day China, all of modern Mongolia and its surrounding areas, lasting officially from 1271 to 1368. It is considered both as a division of the Mongol Empire and as an...
, the abbot was Zhenguan, later called Wuxiang monk. In Hongwu 24th year(1391) of Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
, the abbots Zongling and Fajian expanded it to a Zen
Zen
Zen is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism founded by the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma. The word Zen is from the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese word Chán , which in turn is derived from the Sanskrit word dhyāna, which can be approximately translated as "meditation" or "meditative state."Zen...
Buddhist temple. In Xuande 10th year(1435), Fuqing monk of Linggu Temple
Linggu Temple
Linggu Temple is a Buddhist temple in Nanjing, Jiangsu, China. The temple was described as the best Buddhist temple in the world. It was now surrounded by a large park.-History:...
in Nanjing moved to Mount Jiuhua to preside over Huacheng Temple due to his old age. He rebuilt Grand Hall of the Great Sage, Cangjing, Zushi, Jingang, Tianwang and Jialan Halls, and also expanded Eastern Halls. In Zhengtong years, the abbots Daotai, and later Dugang, Fayan, Faguang expanded Foge, Fangzhang, Langwu, Dizang Hall and Shijie, forming Western Halls. In Longqing 6th year(1569), businessman Huang Longding of Anhui
Anhui
Anhui is a province in the People's Republic of China. Located in eastern China across the basins of the Yangtze River and the Huai River, it borders Jiangsu to the east, Zhejiang to the southeast, Jiangxi to the south, Hubei to the southwest, Henan to the northwest, and Shandong for a tiny...
donated to rebuild the temple. In Wanli 31st year(1603), the abbot Liangyuan went to Beijing and the central government bestowed purple garment on him.
In Kangxi 20 year (1681) of Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
, the governor of Chizhou, Yu Chenglong renovated the temple and built "Juhua Pavilion". The temple comprised Eastern and Western Palaces and totaled 72 halls. Thus, Huacheng Temple became the leading temple in Mount Jiuhua, called General Buddhist Temple. From Kangxi 42nd to 44th year (1703-1705), the emperor ordered his close servant to come to Mount Jiuhua to worship the temple three times, making donations and bestowing a board "Superior Place of Jiuhua"(九华圣境). In Qianlong 31st year(1766), it received another board written by the emperor, "Fragrant Grand Temple"(芬陀普教). However, in Xianfeng 7th year(1857), the temple was destroyed, and only Sutra Library was left. In Guangxu 16th year(1890), the abbot Lunfa and pilgrim Liu Hanfang and others donated to rebuild four halls. In 1926, Shi Rongxu founded "Jiangnan Mount Jiuhua Buddhist Academy" here.
The government of Qinyang County renovated the temple in 1955. But in 1968, all the Buddhist figures were destroyed. In 1981, the temple was rebuilt, and Mount Jiuhua Historical and Cultural Museum was opened. The preserved collection of more than 1,800 pieces was on exhibition. The temple has a land area of 3,500 square meters. On 8 September 1981, the government of Anhui
Anhui
Anhui is a province in the People's Republic of China. Located in eastern China across the basins of the Yangtze River and the Huai River, it borders Jiangsu to the east, Zhejiang to the southeast, Jiangxi to the south, Hubei to the southwest, Henan to the northwest, and Shandong for a tiny...
claimed Huacheng Temple as a key conserved location of historical relics. In 1983, the state council honored Huacheng Temple as national key Buddhist temple in Han area.