Puguang Temple (Zhangjiajie) Explained

Puguang Temple
Native Name:普光寺
Native Name Lang:zh
Map Type:China Hunan
Coordinates:29.1278°N 110.4833°W
Religious Affiliation:Buddhism
Deity:Chan Buddhism - Linji school
Leadership:Shi Yifei
Shi Xinyi [1]
Festivals:-->
Location:Yongding District, Zhangjiajie, Hunan
Country:China
Architecture Style:Chinese architecture
Founded By:Yong Jian
Established:1413
Year Completed:1733 (reconstruction)
Date Destroyed:-->

Puguang Temple or Puguang Chan Temple is a Buddhist temple located in Yongding District of Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China.[2]

History

According to Hunan Yongding Records, the temple was first built by a military official Yong Jian in 1413, under the Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644).

In 1733, in the reign of Yongzheng Emperor in the Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911), a local official named Shi Cheng renovated and refurbished the temple.

Architecture

The extant structure is based on the Ming and Qing dynasties building principles and retains the traditional architectural style. The complex include the following halls: Shanmen, Mahavira Hall, Hall of Four Heavenly Kings, Hall of Guanyin, Bell tower, Drum tower, Hall of Arhats, Dharma Hall, Dining Room, etc.

Shanmen

Statues of Heng and Ha sitting on the seats before both sides of the Shanmen.

Mahavira Hall

Under the eaves is a plaque with the Chinese characters "Mahavira Hall" written by former Venerable Master of the Buddhist Association of China Zhao Puchu. It went through more than 10 rebuilds. The latest maintenance was in 1989. The Mahavira Hall enshrining the statues of Guanyin, Manjushri and Samantabhadra.

Hall of Arhats

The Hall of Arhats houses statues of lifelike Eighteen Arhats with different looks and manners.

Hall of Guanyin

A statue of Guanyin is enshrined in the Hall of Guanyin.

References

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. News: http://hn.rednet.cn/c/2018/03/05/4568664.htm . zh:谢振华调研永定区普光禅寺修缮进展情况 . rednet.cn . 2018-03-05 . zh.
  2. News: http://hunan.voc.com.cn/article/201703/201703232112246842.html . zh:国家宗教局李寒颖副司长一行调研张家界市天门山寺、普光禅寺 . hunan.voc.com.cn . 2017-03-23 . zh.