Xixin Chan Temple
Native name洗心禅寺
Coordinates28°17′4.20″N 112°51′52.91″E
Religious affiliationBuddhism
SectChan - Linji school
Established1620
Founded byHanyue Fazang
DistrictWangcheng District
PrefectureChangsha
ProvinceHunan
CountryChina

Xixin Chan Temple or Soul Refreshing Chan Temple (traditional Chinese: 洗心禪寺; simplified Chinese: 洗心禅寺; pinyin: Xǐxīn Chán Sì) is a Buddhist temple located at the foot of Mount Gaoding (simplified Chinese: 高顶山), Wangcheng District, which is 8-square kilometre (3.1-square mile) north of Changsha.

History

According to the record of Shanhua County Annals (simplified Chinese: 《善化县志》), the temple was first built by Chan Master Hanyue Fazang (simplified Chinese: 汉月法藏) in the 48th Year (1620) of Emperor Wanli (1573–1620) in the Ming dynasty (1368–1644) with the name Xixin An (simplified Chinese: 洗心庵; 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 (simplified Chinese: 释悟圣), 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 360,000-square metre (3,900,000-square foot) and had buildings with a floor area of over 30,000-square metre (320,000-square foot).[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

  • Fazang
  • Yi Cheng
  • Shi Wusheng

References

  1. ^ "zh:潇湘古刹:洗心禅寺" [The old temple in Hunan - Xixin Chan Temple] (in Chinese). Tencent. 2014-04-15.
  2. ^ "zh:洗心禅寺获赠泰国四面佛 一诚法师携高僧开光" (in Chinese). hunan.voc.com.cn. 2008-02-24.
  3. ^ Shen Hao & Zhou Huaping (2008-02-28). "zh:泰国赠送“四面佛”运抵望城洗心禅寺" (in Chinese). red.net