Guangxiao Temple is a historical temple in Lingnan with a profound influence and a grand scale, often referred to by the phrase ‘Before the city of Yangcheng, there was Guangxiao’. The temple’s architectural structure is meticulously rigorous, and its halls are majestic and spectacular, symbolizing the essence of Chinese Zen culture. The main hall, the Mahavira Hall, dates back to the Eastern Jin Dynasty.
Inside the Mahavira Hall, there are three large Buddha statues, with Shakyamuni in the center, flanked by Manjushri and Samantabhadra, collectively known as the ‘Three Saints of Hua Yan’. The side halls on the left and right respectively enshrine Ksitigarbha and Guan Gong, reflecting the characteristics of Guangdong’s Buddhist community. Additionally, there is a side hall on the west side of the Mahavira Hall, which houses the reclining figure of Shakyamuni Buddha. It is said that this was the position he maintained when he was seriously ill, with his right hand supporting his head and his eyes slightly closed, achieving Nirvana under the double sal trees. Outside the hall stands a tree, under which it is said that Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch of Buddhism, was ordained. Huineng, also known as the Sixth Patriarch of Zen, was once regarded alongside Confucius and Laozi as one of the ‘Three Eastern Sages’ representing the forerunners of thought. His work, the ‘Platform Sutra’, is still circulated in the world, making him one of the most influential Buddhist monks in Chinese history. If you stand under this tree and gaze at the serene and pure image of Guangxiao Temple through the dancing shadows of the leaves, you may suddenly feel the Zen state of ‘Originally there is not a thing, where does the dust arise from’. The temple is open all year round from 08:30 to 16:30; during the Lantern Festival, it is open from 07:00 to 17:00. The specific business status is subject to the temple’s daily opening conditions.Additional information on preferential policies: 1. Online ticket purchases do not have preferential policies; for specific preferential policies, please check at the scene of the scenic spot. 2. The above information is for reference only; for specific information, please refer to the disclosures made by Guangxiao Temple on the day of your visit.
