| Tiantai Temple | |
| Native Name: | 天台寺 |
| Native Name Lang: | zh |
| Coordinates: | 30.5724°N 117.7768°W |
| Religious Affiliation: | Buddhism |
| Sect: | Chan Buddhism |
| Festivals: | --> |
| Location: | Mount Jiuhua, Qingyang County, Anhui |
| Country: | China |
| Architecture Style: | Chinese architecture |
| Founded By: | Zhaolian |
| Established: | 1368 |
| Year Completed: | 1890 (reconstruction) |
| Date Destroyed: | --> |
Tiantai Temple, also known as the Temple of Ksitigarbha, is the highest Buddhist temple[1] located on Mount Jiuhua, in Qingyang County, Anhui, China. It was first built in the Tang dynasty (618 - 907), and went through many changes and repairs through the following dynasties. Most of the present structures in the temple were repaired or built in the late Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911).
The original temple dates back to the Tang dynasty (618 - 907), while Kim Gyo-gak resided in here, where promulgated Buddhist sutras.[2]
The temple was first built by monk Zhaolian in 1368, at the dawn of Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644).[3]
In 1720, in the reign of Kangxi Emperor (1662 - 1722) in the Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911), monk Chenchenzi settled at the temple and named it "Huomai'an" . The modern temple was founded in 1890, in the ruling of Guangxu Emperor (1875 - 1908).[3]
In 1920 abbot Chede raised funds to build a main hall. Abbot Lantian 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 .[3]
After 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.[3]
Tiantai Temple has been designated as a National Key Buddhist Temple in Han Chinese Area by the State Council of China in 1983.[3]
The existing main buildings include the Shanmen, Four Heavenly Kings Hall, Mahavira Hall, Hall of Guanyin, Dharma Hall, Meditation Hall, and Reception Hall.
Tiantai temple is a popular destination for Chinese Buddhists wishing for prosperity 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.[4]