Daming Temple

Daming Temple

Brief Introduction

Located at the middle peak of Shugang Mountain, Yangzhou, Daming Temple is a Buddhism temple. was initially erected in 457 to 464 A.D of the Southern Song Dynasty. Daming temple is known for a famous monk, Jianzhen, who studied the sutras and initiated people into monkhood here in the first year of the Tianbao reign of the Tang Dynasty (742 C.E.) before he left for Japan. It conserved many Buddhism sculptures and relics left by Jian Zhen. In addition, many celebrities have visited the temple, including Emperor Kangxi and Qianlong in Qing Dynasty, and left numerous historic relics behind them. The temple is one of the greatest places in Yangzhou to visit and has been listed with the highest national 4-AAAA tourist ranking.

History & Background

First built during the Daming reign (457-464) of the Southern Dynasty (420-589), Daming Temple in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province, was a well-known and important temple in history. For the renowned Chinese Master Jianzhen (688-763) used to be the head of the temple before he got an invitation from Japanese emissary monks to spread 'vinaya', the teachings of the Buddha, in Japan in 742. Jianzhen was born in Jiangyang county (today's Yangzhou) and became a disciple in a local temple at the age of 14. After traveling to different cities such as Chang'an (today's Xi'an), capital of Tang Dynasty (AD618-907) and apprenticed to many celebrated monks, Jianzhen returned to his hometown and became the abbot of Daming Temple in 733. 

In 742, Japanese emissary monks to the Tang Dynasty invited Jianzhen to spread Buddhism in Japan. Despite opposition from his disciples, Jianzhen started his voyage crossing the Eastern China Sea to Japan in 743. Due to unfavorable weather conditions and government intervention, Jianzhen failed to cross it in his first five attempts and finally got to Japan in 754 by a returning Japanese emissary ship. Jianzhen was welcomed by the Mikado in Nara and invited to teach vinaya at the Todaiji Temple. He founded a school and set up a private temple, Toshodaiji, there. After Jianzhen's death in Japan in 763, a statue of him was erected in the Toshodaiji, one of the places in Nara that UNESCO has designated as World Heritage Site "Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara".

Highlights

In the main hall (Mahavira Hall) sit three Buddhist images. In the centre is yamuni, to his east is Master of the Medicine; to his west is Amitabha. On each side Of Sakyamuni stands one of his ten disciples, the older one on his 1eft represents experience and prestige; the younger one on his right represents wisdom and knowledge. On the eastern and western sides are 18 arhats. On the northern side six buddhist images represent six founders Of the Chan Sect Of Buddhism. At the back is an island on sea with Guanyin (God or Godness of Mercy) standing on the head of a huge turtle. According to Buddhist Sutra, he can deliver all living creatures from any suffering. Those in misery need only call him and he will come to their rescue. He is sometimes portraited as a man and some time as a woman. Actually he has a man's body but a woman's appearance, repre- senting kindness.

In the main hall (Mahavira Hall) sit three Buddhist images. In the centre is yamuni, to his east is Master of the Medicine; to his west is Amitabha. On each side Of Sakyamuni stands one of his ten disciples, the older one on his 1eft represents experience and prestige; the younger one on his right represents wisdom and knowledge. On the eastern and western sides are 18 arhats. On the northern side six buddhist images represent six founders Of the Chan Sect Of Buddhism. At the back is an island on sea with Guanyin (God or Godness of Mercy) standing on the head of a huge turtle. According to Buddhist Sutra, he can deliver all living creatures from any suffering. Those in misery need only call him and he will come to their rescue. He is sometimes portraited as a man and some time as a woman. Actually he has a man's body but a woman's appearance, repre- senting kindness.

In front of Daming Temple there is an acient decorated archway in the midst Of ancient trees. It bears the insription “Ruins of Xiling”. In AD 601(Sui dynasty) a nine-storey. Xi1ing Tower was built in the compound Of Daming Temple. Many famous poets of the Tang dynasty visited and mounted the tower and wrote moving poems. Later Xiling Tower Was burnt down, leaving Only itS ruins. Five big Chinese characters are inscribed on the eastern wall Of the Temple"the First in Huaidong"Which mean that the scenery of Daming Temple Was the best and most Worth visiting in Yangzhou. These are the words of praise taken from a famous poet of the NOrthern Song dynasty Qin Shaoyou,who once toured this place and was fascinated by its beautiful scenery.

How to get to Daming Temple

Bus route:

Take Bus No. 22, or Tourist Bus No. 1, 2 and get off Daming Temple

Information

Address: No. 1 Pingshantang Road, Yangzhou

Admission Fee: CNY 30  off-season (December to February, July to August);

                        CNY 45 Yuan/ticket in on-season (March to Juny, September to November). 

Opening Time 7:45 – 17:00

Tel: 86-514-734 0720