Lingyin Temple: The Charm of a Buddhist Holy Land

Hidden by the Spirits: The interweaving of history and legend Lingyin Temple, located in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, was first built in the first year of the Xianhe era of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. At that time, the Indian monk Huili traveled here and saw the beautiful mountain before him. This mountain was called Feilai Peak and looked very much like the ancient Indian Vulture Peak. He exclaimed, "This is the place where the immortal spirit hides." So he built a temple and named it Lingyin. During the Southern Song Dynasty, Lingyin Temple was one of the five mountains of Chan Buddhism in the south of the Yangtze River. Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty bestowed the plaque "Yunlin Chan Temple" on his southern tour, which is still hanging in the Heavenly King Hall. For more than a thousand years, this place has not only been a sacred site of Buddhism, but also carries various folk tales and poems left by scholars such as Bai Juyi and Su Shi, where history and myth blend.

The resonance of architecture and art The Lingyin Temple, backed by the North Peak and facing the Feilai Peak, spreads its halls along the central axis, with the yellow walls and grey tiles revealing the style of the Tang and Song dynasties. The main halls include the Heavenly King Hall, the Great Buddha Hall, the Medicine Buddha Hall, etc. In front of the temple, the Feilai Peak Grottoes have more than 470 Buddhist grotto statues from the Five Dynasties to the Yuan Dynasty, such as Maitreya Buddha and Guanyin Buddha, showcasing the wonders of ancient craftsmen. Lingyin Temple can be called a natural museum of Buddhist art. The temple also has artifacts such as the "Medicine Stone" plaque and the couplets written by Emperor Kangxi. The cold spring stream flows through it, harmonizing with the sounds of the bell and drum towers, creating the scene of "ancient temples hidden in the mountains". Spiritual abode: From faith to life Today, Lingyin Temple is both a place for pilgrims to pray and a "spiritual paradise" for urbanites to seek peace. In the morning bells and evening drums, the sounds of the monks chanting scriptures cleanse the hustle and bustle; Visitors can enjoy a cup of Longjing tea and savor its aroma. The temple also hosts Buddha's birthday ceremonies, meditation activities, and even attracts young people to take photos at the "Lingyin Copywriting" - such as "Where the bell rings, all worries are empty." It is not only a religious site but also a cultural symbol that connects the spiritual needs of tradition and modernity. Lingyin Temple combines the charm of a thousand years, Buddhist art and natural landscapes. It is both a bustling Buddhist sanctuary and a must-visit place for tourists to experience history and culture as well as serene Zen.