Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s3.t11: Lingyin Temple
Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s3.t11
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Lingyin Temple
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Lingyin Temple (Lingyin Vihar) is one of the oldest temples in China which stands at the foot of the mountain on the west of the West Lake, Hangzhou. It was originally built in the Xianhe first year of Eastern Jin Dynasty (326 CE).
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According to legend, Master Huili, an eminent monk from west India, once roamed in Zhejiang province. When he arrived at Wulin (present Hangzhou), he saw a peak and said: “This is just like the small mountain ridge located on the Griddhraj mountain of India. I have no idea when did it fly here? When Buddha lived in this world, they preferred to live in seclusion as immortal spirits. Therefore, he built a temple in front of the mountain and called it, Lingyin Temple (Temple of Soul’s Retreat). When the temple was built, Buddha *dharma* had not been well recognised in China. During the reign of emperor Wudi of the Southern Liang Dynasty (502 to 548 CE), the temple was expanded and in the Dali sixth year of Tang (771 CE), a major restoration was carried out. After that, the temple became more and more popular attracting thousands of people to burn incense and long for the blessing of Bodhisattva. During the Huichang fifth of Tang (845 CE) the temple, however, was damaged once again and the monks were dismissed. Another two projects for rebuilding and expansion of the temple were launched during the Five Dynasties after which the temple regained its momentum and became very popular again, accommodating more than 3,000 monks. Hangzhou is the capital city of Song Dynasty and during this period, several emperors paid a pilgrimage visit to the temple thus allowing the Lingyin Temple to develop greatly. During the period of the reign of Emperor Shunzhi, Qing Dynasty (1644-1661), Master Jude, abbot of the Lingyin Temple, collected money for the repair and maintenance of the temple and spent 18 years to bring a completely new outlook for the temple. In the 28th year of the reign of Emperor Kangxi, Qing Dynasty (1689), the Emperor made an inspection trip in the south, and personally inscribed four words “Yun Lin Chan Temple” for Lingyin Temple. In 1936, the temple was damaged in fire, but after 1949, several large-scale repair and maintenance projects were carried out for the temple. Now, it has become prosperous and popular again with many people eager to burn incense and worship there.
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Lingyin Temple at Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China