Lingyan Temple is named after Lingyan Mountain. It is the premier ancient temple among the eighteen ancient temples in Yandang. The temple was built in the fourth year of Taiping Xingguo in the Song Dynasty (979). In the second year of Xianping (999), Emperor Zhenzong bestowed the name ‘Lingyan Temple’. After several periods of prosperity, destruction by war, and reconstruction, in its heyday, there were more than a hundred rooms and a thousand volumes of Buddhist scriptures.
It was known as the ‘premier temple in the southeast’. Surrounded by a ring of mountains, Lingyan Temple has a serene environment and is one of the ‘three unique landscapes’ of Yandang. In front of the temple, Tianzhu Peak, which is 260 meters high, and Zhanqi Peak stand facing each other, known as the ‘Southern Heavenly Gate’. Wolong Creek flows out through the gate. On the left side of the temple is the Skylight Cave, and further up is the Lotus Cave. Around Lingyan are also strange peaks such as Shuangluan Peak, Juantu Peak, Yunu Peak, Chonglou Peak, Zhuobi Peak, and Duxiu Peak, as well as scenic spots such as the old monk worshipping the pagoda and the golden turtle and jade rabbit. Behind the temple is Pingxia Peak, several hundred feet high, standing upright in the clouds, shaped like a screen. Lingyan Temple is a Tiantai sect monastery. After masters such as Jixingliang and Shenzhao, famous patriarchs such as Master Dixian and Master Chengyuan presided over here. Master Chengyuan once planted ginkgo and square bamboo by hand, which has now become a treasure in the temple. The reconstructed temple is composed of the Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, Dharma Hall, and Sutra Depository Building from south to north in sequence; on the left and right are placed the bell and drum towers, east and west side halls and the west corridor respectively; the front part on the west side of the temple is the meditation hall and reception area, and the rear part is the Buddhist teaching area and the living area for monks.Lingyan Temple
Lingyan Temple is named after Lingyan Mountain. It is the premier ancient temple among the eighteen [...]
