Langya Temple
琅琊寺
Langyasi
Religion
AffiliationBuddhism
SectChan Buddhism
Location
LocationLangya District of Chuzhou, Anhui, China
Geographic coordinates32°16′51″N 118°17′26″E / 32.2808°N 118.2905°E / 32.2808; 118.2905
Architecture
StyleChinese architecture
FounderLi Youqing (李幼卿)
Fachen (法琛)
Date established766–770
Completed1904 (reconstruction)

Langya Temple (simplified Chinese: 琅琊寺; traditional Chinese: 瑯琊寺; pinyin: Lángyá Sì) is a Buddhist temple located on Mount Langya (琅琊山), in Langya District of Chuzhou, Anhui, China.[1][2]

History

Tang dynasty

The temple was first built by the then provincial governor of Chuzhou Li Youqing (李幼卿) and monk Fachen (法琛) between 766 and 770, during the reign of Dali period (766–779) in the Tang dynasty (618–907).[2] After construction, Emperor Daizong (763–779) honored the name "Baoying Temple" (宝应寺).

Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

The temple was devastated by war between 954 and 960, during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907–960), but was soon rebuilt by the provincial governor Wang Zhu (王著).

Song dynasty

In 978, in the 3rd year of Taiping Xingguo period (976–984) in the Song dynasty (960–1279), Emperor Taizong (976–997) inscribed and renamed it "Kaihua Chan Temple" (开化禅寺), more commonly known as "Langya Temple" (琅琊寺).

Yuan dynasty

Langya Temple was badly damaged by war between the Mongolian and the Red Turban Rebellion in the late Yuan dynasty (1291–1368).

Ming dynasty

After Zhu Yuanzhang (1368–1398) ascending the throne, the founder of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), also adopted the policy to protect Buddhism. In 1373, monks Shaoning (绍宁) and Wuwei (无为) restored and refurbished the temple under the support of the government.

Qing dynasty

In the ruling of Jiaqing Emperor (1796–1820) in the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), master Haoqing (皓清) renovated and redecorated the temple. The name was changed into "Kaihualü Temple" (开化律寺).

Langya Temple became dilapidated during the war between the Taiping Rebellion and the Qing army under the rule of Xianfeng Emperor (1851–1861).

In 1904, in the reign of Guangxu Emperor (1862–1874), master Daxiu (达修) raised funds to rebuild the temple.

People's Republic of China

After the establishment of the Communist State in 1952, the Chuzhou Municipal Government has allocated moneys for the renovation project.

The temple was inscribed to the Provincial-level Cultural Heritage List of Anhui by the Anhui Provincial Government in 1956.

Langya Temple has been designated as a National Key Buddhist Temple in Han Chinese Area by the State Council of China in 1983.

In June 1990, the Temple of Ultimate Happiness in Yangon, Myanmar presented a 1.2-metre (3 ft 11 in) high sitting statue of Sakyamuni to the temple.

Architecture

The existing main buildings include the Shanmen, Four Heavenly Kings Hall, Bell tower, Drum tower, Mahavira Hall and Buddhist Texts Library.[3]

References

  1. ^ 滁州琅琊山琅琊寺. sina (in Chinese). 2018-02-23.
  2. ^ a b 滁州这座寺庙位于琅琊山上，最古老大殿却供奉道教玉皇大帝. qq.com (in Chinese). 2018-04-18.
  3. ^ 春天最美的古寺在这里 滁州唐代古寺琅琊寺. sohu (in Chinese). 2018-05-03.
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