Guanghua Temple (Putian)
From Buddhist Encyclopedia
- Chinese : 莆田广化寺
Guanghua Temple was built in Northern Wei Dynasty as one of the eight temples around the Longmen Stone Cave (Chinese: 龙门石窟), in the Fujian province of China. Guanghua Temple is 500m south of the cave.
History
In the period of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty, Indian monks came to the temple to discuss and lecture on Buddhism. After its decline in practical use, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang built a tower there.
Created in 558, the first master of the temple is Jinxian, hence called it was called the Jinxian Court (金仙院). In 589, under Master Shanwuwei (善無畏), it was expanded in size and renamed Jinshan Monastery (金仙寺). Master Shanwuwei was one of the temple's founders who also visited Japan, so some Japanese Buddhists arrived here as well.
Major renovations took place in the Ming Dynasty|Ming and Qing Dynasty|Qing Dynasties.
As of 1949, there were 60 resident monks. In 1965, there were 57. During the Cultural Revolution, the temple is forcibly closed and turned into a factory, all statues of the deities were smashed, and all monks dispelled.
In February 1980, a provincial Putian County Guanghua Restoration Committee (莆田县广化寺修建委员会) was created. Funded mostly by overseas Chinese, the reconstruction began four years later in December.
In 1983, the 36-year-old Master Yiran (毅然法師) became the head monk of the temple. In 1990, the 24-year-old Master Xuecheng (學誠法師) replaced him.
Structure
- Gaoshan Gate (高山門) (name literally means "Tall Mounatin"): two-story
- Tianwang Palace (天王殿) ("Heavenly King")
- Jialan Palace (伽藍殿) ("Monastery")
- Sanzang Palace (三藏殿) ("Xuanzang")
- Dizang Palace (地藏殿) ("Ksitigarbha")
There is a 10m stone staircase with 199 steps in front of the temple.
