Longxing Temple is located at the foot of Jinshan Mountain in Linhai City. Originally established in the first year of the Shenlong era during the Tang Dynasty (705 AD), it was initially named ‘Shenlong Temple’. In the second year (706 AD), the name was changed to ‘Zhongxing’. In the third year of the Jinglong era (709 AD), it was renamed ‘Longxing’. In the twenty-sixth year of the Kaiyuan era (738 AD), the name was changed again to ‘Kaiyuan’.
The archway at the entrance of Longxing Temple, inscribed with ‘Shenlong Ancient Temple’, signifies this history. Counting back, Longxing Temple has a history of nearly 1300 years. The temple was destroyed during the Anti-Japanese War, leaving only the Qianfo Pagoda, which was originally built in the Tang Dynasty and is now a provincial cultural protection unit. Longxing Temple played an extremely important role in promoting the Tiantai Sect of Chinese Buddhism. During the Tianbao era of the Tang Dynasty, Master Jianzhen made six eastward voyages to Japan to spread the Dharma. Before his fourth voyage to Japan, he resided here. The eminent monk Sito from Longxing Temple followed Master Jianzhen on his ‘four voyages to build boats, five voyages to the sea’, ‘six voyages in total, spanning over twelve years’, becoming the first high monk from Taizhou to go to Japan. After Sito accompanied Master Jianzhen on his sixth voyage to Kyushu, Japan, he assisted in the establishment of the world-renowned Tangsho Temple in Japan and personally wrote ‘The Great Monk Jianzhen’s Biography of the Transmission of the Precepts from the Tang Dynasty’. After Master Jianzhen’s passing, Sito also created a dry lacquer and core statue of Jianzhen. While spreading the Vinaya school in Japan, Sito actively promoted the Tiantai teachings founded in Taizhou and ordained 40 people, including the Emperor, which paved the way for later Japanese monks to study in Tang China. The temple is open all year round from 9:00 to 16:00, with specific opening times subject to on-site announcements at the scenic spot.
