After ascending the throne in 713, Emperor Xuanzong issued the decree building "Kaiyuan Temples" which was named after his reign title "Kaiyuan" (开元) in each prefecture of the Tang Empire (618–907).[1] Through the rise and fall in the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, most of the present structures of Kaiyuan Temple still preserves the original appearance include several national treasures.
History
Kaiyuan temple was first established in 738, in the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang dynasty (618–907) with the original name of "Lifeng Temple" (荔峰寺). The name was changed to "Kaiyuan Wanshou Chan Temple" (开元万寿禅寺) during the Yuan dynasty (1172–1638). And then it was renamed "Kaiyuan Zhenguo Chan Temple" (开元镇国禅寺) in the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). During the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), people usually called it "Kaiyuan Temple" (开元寺) which is still use now.[2]
In 1950, Buddhist monk Chunxin (纯信) was elected as the new abbot of the temple. Under his leadership, the temple was refurbished and redecorated. In 1962, Kaiyuan Temple was categorized as a provincial level key cultural heritage by the Guangdong Provincial Government. During the ten years devastating Cultural Revolution, the resident monks were being to disrobe and return to secular life, the abbot died in countryside.
After the 3rd Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, according to the national policy of free religious belief, Buddhist monk Huiyuan (慧原) was unanimously chosen as abbot of the temple. He headed the reconstruction project. The reconstruction of the project lasted six years. In 1983, Kaiyuan Temple was classified as a National Key Buddhist Temple in Han Chinese Area.[1]
The Babei Hall (大悲殿; 'Great Compassion Hall') was built in 2005. The construction took five years, and lasted from 2000 to 2005. It is 30-metre (98 ft) wide, 12.85-metre (42.2 ft) high with a depth of 25-metre (82 ft). The hall covers a building area of 1,600-square-metre (17,000 sq ft) and the total area of 3,800-square-metre (41,000 sq ft). Under the eaves is a plaque with the Chinese characters "Dabei Hall" written by Hong Kong sinologist Jao Tsung-I. A total of 86 statues of Guanyin are enshrined in the hall.[1]
Taifo Hall
The Taifo Hall at Kaiyuan Temple.
A bronze statue of Gautama Buddha in Maravijaya attitude is enshrined in the Taifo Hall (泰佛殿; 'Thai Buddha Hall'). It is 3-metre (9.8 ft) high and weights 1,500-kilogram (3,300 lb). On the walls of the hall are painting with stories of Prince Siddhartha attaining Enlightenment in Thai artwork style. The statue of Phra Phrom (梵天), also known as "Four-faced Brahma" (四面佛), stands in the east side.
The seven-story, 2-metre-tall (6.6 ft), hexagonal-based Chinese pagoda is made of wood in the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). The Eighteen Arhats and Twenty-four Gods and Kings are carved on the body of the pagoda.
Bronze bell
The bronze bell which is 1.7 metres (5 ft 7 in) high and 1.05 metres (3 ft 5 in) in circumference is the symbol of Kaiyuan Temple, weighs more than 1,500 kilograms (3,300 lb). It was cast in 1114 in the reign of Emperor Huizong of Northern Song dynasty.
Stone pillars
Kaiyuan Temple houses four stone pillars (石经幢), they were made in the Tang dynasty (618–907). They are decorated with relief carvings of the Buddha, lotus petals, Hercules, Buddhist texts, and other designs.
Banisters
The banisters of the Mahavira Hall are carved with stories of Sakyamuni's becoming monk and other patterns, they were made in the Tang dynasty (618–907).
Xianglu
The Jishou (脊兽) of Mahavira Hall at Kaiyuan Temple.
Kaiyuan Temple collected two Xianglu (香炉; 'Incense burner'). One was cast by Korean monk in the Kaiyuan period (713–741) of Tang dynasty (618–907). The other was cast in 1325 by Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) politician Xu Zhenjin (徐震谨).[4]
Yunban
The Yunban (云板) in 1346, during the 6th year of Zhizheng period (1341–1370) of the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368).
Zhang Yuhuan (2012). "The Oldest Buddhist Temple in Eastern Guangdong: Chaozhou Kaiyuan Temple" 《粤东第一古刹：潮州开元寺》. 《图解中国著名佛教寺院》 [Illustration of Famous Buddhist Temples in China] (in Chinese). Beijing: Contemporary China Publishing House. ISBN978-7-5154-0135-5.
