Xixin Chan Temple Explained

Xixin Chan Temple
Native Name:洗心禅寺
Native Name Lang:zh
Map Type:China Hunan#China
Map Size:200px
Coordinates:28.2845°N 112.8647°W
Religious Affiliation:Buddhism
Sect:Chan - Linji school
Established:1620
Founded By:Hanyue Fazang
District:Wangcheng District
Prefecture:Changsha
Province:Hunan
Country:China

Xixin Chan Temple or Soul Refreshing Chan Temple is a Buddhist temple located at the foot of Mount Gaoding, Wangcheng District, which is 8km2 north of Changsha.

History

According to the record of Shanhua County Annals, the temple was first built by Chan Master Hanyue Fazang in the 48th Year (1620) of Emperor Wanli (1573 - 1620) in the Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644) with the name Xixin An (; Soul Refreshing Temple).[1]

During the Republic of China (1912-1949), the temple was on a noble scale, it has 107 houses, 70 monks and over 400 mu lands.

During the Great Leap Forward, Xixin Chan Temple was completely destroyed.

At the beginning of 21st century, the Venerable Master Yi Cheng, swore to have the temple rebuilt. In September 2002, he appointed his close disciple, Shi Wusheng, as his deputy and told him to manage the rebuilding. In December 2006, the 1st phase ended at the coast of nearly 50 million RMB yuan, the temple covered an area of 360000m2 and had buildings with a floor area of over 30000m2.[1]

On February 24, 2008, the temple invited a Four-faced Brahma from Thailand, a national treasure enshrined by the Thai First Generation Emperor Charity Fund.[2] [3]

Architecture

The temple at the foot of Mount Gaoding. The temple consists of 14 buildings. The complex includes the following halls: Shanmen, Mahavira Hall, Hall of Four Heavenly Kings, Bell tower, Drum tower, Founder's Hall, Dharma Hall, Dining Room, etc.

Famous monks

Notes and References

  1. News: http://foxue.qq.com/a/20140415/016931.htm . zh:潇湘古刹:洗心禅寺. The old temple in Hunan - Xixin Chan Temple . Tencent . 2014-04-15 . zh.
  2. News: http://hunan.voc.com.cn/article/20082/2008224155326725.html . zh:洗心禅寺获赠泰国四面佛 一诚法师携高僧开光 . hunan.voc.com.cn. 2008-02-24. zh.
  3. News: Shen Hao. Zhou Huaping . http://hn.rednet.cn/c/2008/02/25/1445514.htm . zh:泰国赠送“四面佛”运抵望城洗心禅寺 . red.net . 2008-02-28 . zh.