Lingshan Temple (Shantou)

Temple (simplified Chinese: 灵山寺; traditional Chinese: 靈山寺; pinyin: Língshān Sì) is a Buddhist temple located in Chaoyang District, Shantou, Guangdong, China.[1][2][3]

Lingshan Temple
灵山寺
Religion
AffiliationBuddhism
DeityChan Buddhism
LeadershipShi Yaoru (释耀瑜)
Location
LocationChaoyang District, Shantou, Guangdong
CountryChina
Shown within Guangdong
Lingshan Temple (Shantou) (China)
Geographic coordinates23°19′41″N 116°26′53″E
Architecture
StyleChinese architecture
FounderChaozhou Dadian
Date established791
Completed1706 (reconstruction)

History

Tang dynasty

This temple was built by a prominent Chan master Chaozhou Dadian in 791, in the 7th year of Zhenyuan period of the Tang dynasty (618–907). After studying Buddhism from Shitou Xiqian, Chaozhou Dadian came to Chaozhou, where he founded the original temple. In 819, Han Yu, the renowned poet and writer, was publicly disgraced and sent into exile. Han Yu became a friend of Chaozhou Dadian and he often came to talk with him. In 822, Emperor Muzong inscribed and honored the name "Lingshan Huguo Chan Temple" (灵山护国禅寺).[4]

Song dynasty

In 1012, in the reign of Emperor Zhenzong in the Song dynasty (960–1279), monk Jueran (觉然) restored and redecorated the temple. It was renamed "Lingshan Kaishan Chan Temple" (灵山开善禅院) in 1029, during the reign of Emperor Renzong.[4]

Ming dynasty

In 1369, at the dawn of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), monk Kongshan (空山) refurbished the temple. Lingshan Temple was devastated in 1521 with only one hall and the Shanmen remaining.[4]

In 1633, in the reign of Chongzhen Emperor, magistrate Yang Zhuo (杨灼) supervised the reconstruction of Lingshan Temple.[4]

Qing dynasty

In 1701, in the Kangxi era of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), magistrate Peng Xiangsheng (彭象升) appropriated a large sum of money for constructing the temple. Under the leadership of Xinru (信如), the reconstruction was completed in 1706.[4]

People's Republic of China

After the establishment of the Communist State in 1949, Lingshan Temple has been dilapidated for neglect.[4]

During the ten-year Cultural Revolution, the Red Guards attacked the temple with huge losses of the cultural relics.[4]

After the 3rd Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, according to the national policy of free religious belief, monks returned to Lingshan Temple, regular scripture lectures, meditation and other features of temple life were resumed.[4]

Lingshan Temple has been inscribed as National Key Buddhist Temple in Han Chinese Area by the State Council of China in 1983.[4]

Architecture

Thousand Buddha Pagoda

Square in shape, the octagonal-based Chinese pagoda has seven stories with the height of 19-metre (62 ft). It is made of granite. Over 1,000 exquisite niches with small statues of Buddha are carved on the body of the pagoda.

References
  1. 汕头仅次开元寺的寺庙, 素有“道迹贤踪”的美誉, 是粤东著名古刹之一. sina (in Chinese). 2018-01-17.
  2. 潮阳区汕头灵山寺 [Lingshan Temple in Chaoyang District of Shantou]. sina (in Chinese). 2018-04-24.
  3. 广东汕头潮阳千年古刹灵山寺成立公益慈善会. 163.com (in Chinese). 2014-11-15.
  4. "Lingshan Temple in Chaoyang District of Shantou, Guangdong". fjdh.cn (in Chinese). 2013-09-12.
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