Lingshan Temple is located in the Lingshan Scenic Area, downstream of the Haoxi tributary of the Ou River, on the outskirts of Lishui City in Zhejiang Province. It is easily accessible by bus number 8.
The temple is situated on a hillside, backed by Mount Ling, facing the Ou River, with fresh air and beautiful scenery. Lingshan Temple has a long history and has been renovated and renamed several times. According to historical records, it was first built in the third year of the Daxing era of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (320 AD, also known as the third year of Guangchu of the Han Dynasty). It was destroyed by fire in the third year of the Jiande era of the Northern Zhou Dynasty (574 AD) and was rebuilt in the sixth year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty (633 AD) as Lingjiu Temple, later named Lingjiu Zen Temple. In the second year of the Jianlong era of the Song Dynasty (961 AD), a monk named Zhu Sheng, a native of Dancheng in Shanzhou, renovated the temple and built a new Guanyin Hall, changing the name to Zhu Sheng Temple. Zhu Sheng, a native of Dancheng in Shanzhou, was a disciple of the famous monk Sengyou from the Southern Dynasties, proficient in military strategy and Confucianism. During the Sheng Yuan period of the Southern Tang, he became a scholar and served as the military governor of Wuzhou. Disobeying the oppressive orders, he fled to Lingjiu Zen Temple in Chuzhou and was constantly pursued by the Imperial Forest Army. In a critical moment, he was forced to become a monk to live in peace. Gradually, he settled down and studied the Sanlun, realizing Buddhist principles, developing a Zen heart, and was willing to dedicate himself to the propagation of Buddhism. In the second year of the Jianlong era (961 AD), he was elected as the abbot of the temple and passed away in the third year of the Chunhua era (992 AD) at the age of seventy-three. Lingshan, also known as Matou Mountain, was originally named Lingjiu Mountain, located in the northeastern part of the city, about ten kilometers from the city center. The mountain is not tall, with an elevation of about 191 meters, surrounded by green mountains, layered peaks, and a quiet and beautiful mountain color, with the Haoxi River in front of it. The Qing Dynasty’s ‘Lishui County Chronicles’ records: ‘Lingjiu Mountain, twenty miles east of the county, opposite to the Pigeon Mountain, with Haoxi River in front, layered peaks towering into the clouds, heavy shade over the water, especially in the early morning after frost, it is extremely quiet and charming. There is Lingjiu Zen Temple in the middle. In the Shaosheng period of the Song Dynasty, the prefect Liu Jing built Xingyu Pavilion on it, and there is a tombstone of Yuan Zhu Mei in the south of the mountain.’ The area is well-connected, with National Highway 330 passing around the north and south slopes of Lingshan, and the city’s bus number 8 can reach the area directly. The entire article is open all year round from 8:00 to 18:00.Lingshan Temple Scenic Area
Lingshan Temple is located in the Lingshan Scenic Area, downstream of the Haoxi tributary of the Ou [...]
