Longquan Temple (Yuyao)

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Longquan Temple
龙泉寺
Longquan Temple in Yuyao 01 2014-09.JPG
Shanmen of Longquan Temple.
Religion
AffiliationBuddhism
SectChan Buddhism
Location
LocationMount Longquan, Yuyao, Zhejiang
CountryChina
Longquan Temple (Yuyao) is located in Zhejiang
Longquan Temple (Yuyao)
Shown within Zhejiang
Geographic coordinates30°03′06″N 121°09′37″E / 30.05178°N 121.160381°E / 30.05178; 121.160381Coordinates: 30°03′06″N 121°09′37″E / 30.05178°N 121.160381°E / 30.05178; 121.160381
Architecture
StyleChinese architecture
Date established336
Completed1875 (reconstruction)

Longquan Temple (simplified Chinese: 龙泉寺; traditional Chinese: 龍泉寺; pinyin: Lóngquán Sì) is a Buddhist temple located on Mount Longquan, in Yuyao, Zhejiang, China.

History[]

The original temple dates back to 336, during the 2nd year of Xiankang period of the Eastern Jin dynasty (266–420).[1]

Since Emperor Wuzong (814–846) of the Tang dynasty (618–907) believed in Taoism, he ordered to demolish Buddhist temples, confiscate temple lands and force monks to return to secular life. Longquan Temple was demolished in the Great Anti-Buddhist Persecution. The temple was restored and rebuilt in 851, in the ruling of Emperor Xuanzong.[1]

In 1129, Longquan Temple was completely destroyed by fire during the Jurchen Jin invasion (1115–1234) of the 12th century. Soon after, Emperor Gaozong (1127–1129) ordered to rebuild the temple on its original site.[1]

In the Yuan dynasty (1127–1368), Longquan Temple reduced to ashes by a devastating fire in 1276. The reconstruction project of the temple was launched in 1295, nineteen years later.[1]

In the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Wang Yangming organized a poetry club in the temple and lectured there.

In 1841, Longquan Temple was devastated by a catastrophic fire while the British invasion of Zhejiang during the First Opium War. Thirty-four years later, Gongshun (功顺) and other seventeen Bhikkhunī begged for donations to rebuild the temple. Since then, Longquan Temple had been changed to be a Bhikkhunī temple.[1]

During the ten-year Cultural Revolution, the Red Guards had attacked the temple. Buddhist statues, musical instruments, and other works of art were either removed, damaged or destroyed in the massive socialist movement. After the 3rd Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, according to the national policy of free religious belief, Longquan Temple was officially reopened to the public in 1990. In March 1997, it was designated as a "Municipality Protected Historic Site" by the Yuyao government.[2]

Architecture[]

Longquan Temple is located on the south side of Mount Longquan, facing the Yao River, the grand temple complex is located in the north and faces the south with brief layout, it includes the Shanmen, Front Hall, Mahavira Hall, and the Guanyin Pavilion and east and west side hall.[2]

The Mahavira Hall is 19.4-metre (64 ft) long, 14.6-metre (48 ft) wide with single-eave gable and hip roof (单檐歇山顶).[2]

The Guanyin Pavilion is 7.38-metre (24.2 ft) long, 14.6-metre (48 ft) wide with gable roof.[2]

Gallery[]

  • The Mahavira Hall and west side hall in the temple.

  • The Mahavira Hall and west side hall in the temple.

  • The west side hall.

  • The Mahavira Hall.

  • Chiwen on the roof of Mahavira Hall.

  • The roof of Mahavira Hall.

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e Zhou Binglin (周炳麟). 光绪余姚县志·卷十一·典祀 [Yuyao County Annuals] (in Chinese). 龙泉寺在县西二百步，东晋咸康二年建，唐会昌五年废，大中五年重建，咸通二年赐今额（嘉泰会稽志）。宋建炎年间燬，高宗南狩幸龙山，赐金重建，元至元十三年毁，元贞改元重建，有弥陀阁、千佛阁、蟠龙阁、罗汉院、上方寺、中天院、东禅院、西禅院、镇国院、唤仙亭、更好亭、龙泉亭，自山麓至绝顶，殿阁俨然，背山面水，为一邑佳处（嘉靖志）。寺额三字作欧阳率更体，或云即欧书。今渐芜废，所存者惟山门、大雄殿、中天院而已，大雄殿为习仪之所，后近构观音阁（乾隆府志引万历志）。后燬，光绪间重建。
  2. ^ a b c d 龙泉寺 [Longquan Temple]. nbwb.net (in Chinese). 3 December 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
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