Miyin Temple

Miyin Temple (Chinese: 密印寺; pinyin: Mìyìn Sì) is a Buddhist temple located in Weishan Township, Ningxiang, Hunan, China.[1] The temple is built within grounds of some 9,000 square metres (97,000 sq ft).[2] The Chinese Buddhist monk Weishan Lingyou of the Tang dynasty (618–907) founded Miyin Temple on Mount Wei and started the Weiyang school of Buddhism making Mount Wei an important religious sacred site in China's feudalist era.

Miyin Temple
密印寺
Religion
AffiliationBuddhism
SectChan - Weiyang school
Location
LocationWeishan Township, Ningxiang, Hunan
CountryChina
Shown within Hunan
Miyin Temple (China)
Geographic coordinates28°10′36″N 111°58′16″E
Architecture
FounderWeishan Lingyou
Completed807

History
Sitting Statue of Maitreya in Miyin Temple.

Tang dynasty

In 813, in the eighth year of the age of Yuanhe of Emperor Xianzong, the traveler who named Liu Qian (刘潜) came to Ningxiang, Hunan Province. He saw the Wei Mountain's steep cliffs, lofty peaks, roaring waterfalls, gurgling springs, towering trees and fragrant flowers, and Wei Mountain has seven hills like the Big Dipper. After the tour, Liu Qian came to Baizhang Mountain (百丈山) in Jiangxi and told his friend Baizhang Huaihai about the natural landscape he had seen. He told Huaihai that there would be a good place to build temples. Huaihai followed Liuqian's advice, he commanded his disciple Weishan Lingyou to go there, build temples and advertise Folk Buddhism. On August 15 in the Chinese lunar calendar, Lingyou came to Wei Mountain. He built a hut to live in. In 807, in the second year of the age of Yuanhe of Emperor Xianzong, Da'an (大安禅师) and Lingyou built Yingchan Temple (应禅寺). They then renamed it Santa Temple (三塔寺).[3]

In 845, after the Great Anti-Buddhist Persecution, Lingyou disbanded the monastery, and lived a self-cultivation for food life. At that time, the prime minister Pei Xiu had retreated and worked in Hunan for Jingzhou Provincial Governor. He was Lingyou's friend. He sent Lingyou a copy of the Chinese Buddhist canon.[2]

In 849, Emperor Xuanzong renamed the temple Miyin Temple (密印禅寺). At that time, the prime minister Pei Xiu built Miyin Temple, and his second son Pei Wende (裴文德) replaced the crown prince as a monk. Lingyou gave him a Buddhist name Fahai (法海). He was a monk in the most famous Chinese tale the Legend of the White Snake.[2]

When Lingyou came to Yang Mountain, Yichun, Jiangxi, he found a new form of Buddhism: Guiyang school.[4]

Song dynasty
The Multi-Buddha Hall (or Wanfo Hall) at Miyin Temple.

In 1104, in the third year of the age of Chongning of Emperor Huizong, Miyin Temple was destroyed by fire. Monk Kongyin (空印禅师) rebuilt it.[2]

Ming dynasty

In 1370, in the third year of the age of Hongwu of Hongwu Emperor, Miyin Temple was destroyed by fire, Chedang (彻当禅师) rebuilt the Multi-Buddha Hall (万佛殿).[2]

In 1619, in the forty-seventh year of the age of Wanli of Wanli Emperor, Miyin Temple was destroyed by fire.[2]

Qing dynasty

In 1655, in the twelfth year of the age of Shunzhi of Shunzhi Emperor, Huishan Chaohai (慧山超海) rebuilt Miyin Temple and changed the religious format to the Rinzai school.[2]

Republic of China
Thousands Hands Guanyin.

In 1918, Miyin Temple was destroyed by fire, the arsonist was Zhang Sanyuan (张三元).[2]

In 1922, monk Yongguang (永光禅师) recovered the Guiyang school of Buddhism at this temple. He invited some Eminent monks to advertise Folk Buddhism.[2]

In 1933, a monk named Bao (僧宝) raised donations and rebuilt Miyin Temple.[2]

People's Republic of China

In 1966, during the Cultural Revolution, Miyin Temple was knocked down by the Red Guards.[2]

In 1972, Miyin Temple was listed as a provincial culture and relics site.[2]

In September 2005, Hunan Buddhist Association, the People's Government of Ningxiang and Miyin Temple hosted "The International Buddhist Culture Festival".[5]

References
  1. Huang Haichao & Jiang Hongzhao (2002), p. 50.
  2. 《伪仰宗源密印寺 走过会昌法难与文革十年》. ifeng.com (in Chinese). Retrieved 2012-01-13.
  3. 《长沙扩建千年古寺——密印寺》. Xinhua News (in Chinese). Retrieved 2009-08-15.
  4. 《佛教圣地——密印寺》. Hunan People (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2013-01-01. Retrieved 2010-04-17.
  5. 《千年密印 万佛灵山》 (in Chinese). Sina. Retrieved 2005-08-17.

Bibliography
  • Huang Haichao; Jiang Hongzhao (2002-09-01). "Tourism: Famous Scenic Spots and Historical Sites" 旅游业：名胜古迹. 宁乡史地 [History and Geography of Ningxiang] (in Chinese). Haikou, Hainan: Nanfang Publishing House. ISBN 7-80660-538-X.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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