Gaozuo Temple, located within the Yuhuatai Scenic Area in Nanjing’s Yuhuatai District, is a renowned Buddhist temple dating back nearly 1800 years to the Jin Dynasty. Throughout its history, eminent monks and literati have visited and contributed to its rich cultural heritage. Prominent figures such as Pashili Mituo Luo, Yun Guang Master, and Baozhi Zen Master have all formed deep connections with the temple.
Originally founded during the Yongjia period of the Western Jin Dynasty (307-313 AD), it was initially named Ganlu Temple, named after the Ganlu Well from the Western Jin period (265-316 AD). The well water, known for its purity and sweetness, was honored as ‘Ganlu’. Above the tranquil ancient well stands an octagonal pavilion, elegantly poised and traditionally styled, still present outside the archway to the north of the temple.
According to the ‘Jinling Fan Cha Zhi’, early in the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-323 AD), a monk from the Kingdom of Kucha named Pashili Mituo Luo came to Jiankang. Prime Minister Wang Dao revered him as a master, personally driving an ox cart for him, and referred to him as ‘Gaozuo’ Master. He translated esoteric scriptures such as the ‘Great Peacock Ming Wang Shenzhou Jing’ in Jiankang, introducing the esoteric school to Nanjing and marking its first spread in China. It is said that when Pashili Mituo Luo preached, he sat in a high place, earning the respectful title of ‘Gaozuo Daoren’, and thus the temple was named ‘Gaozuo’.
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Gaozuo Temple – A Historic Buddhist Sanctuary in Nanjing
Gaozuo Temple, located within the Yuhuatai Scenic Area in Nanjing’s Yuhuatai District, is a re[...]
