Tiantai Temple (simplified Chinese: 天台寺; traditional Chinese: 天臺寺; pinyin: Tiāntaí Sì), also known as the Temple of Ksitigarbha (地藏寺), is the highest Buddhist temple[1] dedicated to Ksitigarbha located on Mount Jiuhua, in Qingyang County, Anhui, China.[2] It was first built in the Tang dynasty (618–907), and went through many changes and renovations through the following dynasties. Most of the present structures in the temple were repaired or built in the late Qing dynasty (1644–1911).
| Tiantai Temple | |
|---|---|
天台寺 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Buddhism |
| Sect | Chan Buddhism |
| Location | |
| Location | Mount Jiuhua, Qingyang County, Anhui |
| Country | China |
| Geographic coordinates | 30°34′21″N 117°46′36″E / 30.572417°N 117.776781°E |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Chinese architecture |
| Founder | Zhaolian (昭莲) |
| Date established | 1368 |
| Completed | 1890 (reconstruction) |
History
edit
Tang dynasty
editThe original temple dates back to the Tang dynasty (618–907), while Kim Gyo-gak resided in here, where promulgated Buddhist sutras.[3][4]
Ming dynasty
editThe temple was first built by monk Zhaolian (昭莲) in 1368, at the dawn of Ming dynasty (1368–1644).[5]
Qing dynasty
editIn 1720, in the reign of Kangxi Emperor (1662–1722) in the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), monk Chenchenzi (尘尘子) settled at the temple and named it "Huomai'an" (活埋庵). The modern temple was founded in 1890, in the ruling of Guangxu Emperor (1875–1908).[5]
Republic of China
editIn 1920 abbot Chede (彻德) raised funds to build a main hall. Abbot Lantian (兰田) supervised the construction of stone road in the following year. The temple had reached unprecedented heyday between 1936 and 1949, under the leadership of abbot Yifang (义方).[5]
People's Republic of China
editAfter the establishment of the Communist State in 1949, a modern restoration of the entire temple complex was carried out in 1953 by the Qingyang County Government.[5]
Tiantai Temple has been designated as a National Key Buddhist Temple in Han Chinese Area by the State Council of China in 1983.[5]
Architecture
editThe existing main buildings include the Shanmen, Four Heavenly Kings Hall, Mahavira Hall, Hall of Guanyin, Dharma Hall, Meditation Hall, and Reception Hall.
Tourism
editTiantai temple is a popular destination for Chinese Buddhists wishing for prosperity and auspiciousness in the Chinese New Year. A cable car runs up the mountain and buses run from the Tiantai Scenic Area Bus Stop in Jiuhua township.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Tiantai Temple, Jiuhua Mountain". www.szdaily.com.
- ^ Zhang Yuhuan (2012), p. 148.
- ^ Zhang Yuhuan (2012), p. 148–149.
- ^ 九华山天台寺. anhuinews.com (in Chinese (China)). 2013-09-04. Retrieved 2020-01-06.
- ^ a b c d e 中国四大佛教名山安徽九华山金秋行（图）. 163.com (in Chinese). 2012-09-26.
- ^ "Jiuhua Shan, Greater Tiantai Peak (天梯) | Walk in China". Radventures.
Bibliography
edit- Zhang Yuhuan (2012). "The Temple with the Highest Position in Mount Jiuhua: Tiantai Temple" 《九华山位置最高的寺院：九华山天台寺》. 《图解中国著名佛教寺院》 [Illustration of Famous Buddhist Temples in China] (in Chinese). Beijing: Contemporary China Publishing House. ISBN 978-7-5154-0135-5.