Daming Temple

Daming Temple (Chinese: 大明寺; pinyin: Dàmíng Sì)[1] is a temple located at the middle peak of Shugang Mountain, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China. This temple is known for a famous monk, Jianzhen, who studied the sutras and initiated people into monkhood here in 742 AD before he left for Japan.[2][3]

Daming Temple
大明寺
Daming Temple
Religion
AffiliationBuddhism
Location
LocationYangzhou, Jiangsu
CountryChina
Location in Jiangsu
Location in China
Geographic coordinates32°25′18″N 119°24′30″E
Architecture
StyleChinese architecture
Completed742

History

Daming Temple is so named because it was constructed during the periods in the reign of Xiaowu Emperor of the Liu Song dynasty (453–464 AD). In 581 AD, Qiling Tower was built in the temple as a place to offer sacrifices to the relic of Buddha.[4]

During the periods of the Wuzong reign of the Tang dynasty (618–907), it was called Qiling Temple.

In the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), due to social taboo of "Daming" (Daming Chinese: 大明 means Ming dynasty), its name was changed into "Qiling Temple" (栖灵寺). In 1765, during the 30th year of Qianlong period (1736–1795), Qianlong Emperor honored the name "Fajing Temple" (法净寺).[3]

In 1922, Japanese scholar Tokiwa Daijo (常盘大定) built a pavilion, a gallery and a memorial hall before Daming Temple to commemorate master Jianzhen.[3]

In 1973, Jianzhen Memorial Hall, designed by Liang Sicheng, was constructed.[5][3]

In 1980, the temple reverted to its former name of "Daming Temple".[3]

Architecture
Pingshan Hall
Qiling Temple

The temple was constructed around the hill, which consisted of three parts. The central part consistes of the Hall of the "Four Heavenly Kings" ("Fēng Tiáo Diàn") and the Great Hall. The eastern part consisted of Pingyuan Hall and the "Jianzhen Memorial Hall". The western part consisted of Pingshan Hall, Si Garden and other features. The palaces and pavilions are well integrated with each other and well-arranged in structure.[6]

Memorial Hall

The Memorial Hall modeled the style of the Main Hall in the Tōshōdai-ji which was organized and built by Jianzhen in Japan. A wood carving sitting statue of Jianzhen which was dry-lacquered and wrapped with linen layer by layer is enshrined in the hall.[3]

Pingshan Hall

The Pingshan Hall (平山堂) was built by Song dynasty scholar Ouyang Xiu in 1048 during the Qingli period when he was prefecture chief of Yangzhou. When people overlook the distant scenes, the mountains are at the same level with sight line, hence the name "Pingshan Hall" (平山堂; Ping means the same level and shan means mountains).[3]

Qiling Pagoda

Some time during the Renshou reign of the Sui Dynasty - between 601 and 604 AD, the nine-story "Qiling Pagoda" (栖灵塔) was completed.

See also

References
  1. "Daming Temple (大明寺)" (in Chinese). CULTURAL-CHINA.COM. Archived from the original on 21 May 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  2. "Jianzhen's travel to Japan (鉴真东渡日本)". CHINACULTURAL.COM. Archived from the original on 14 January 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  3. Zi Yan (2012), p. 79–82.
  4. Chen Yixian, ed. (2009). 佛舍利在中国 (in Chinese). China Literary Federation Press. ISBN 9787505963894.
  5. Lin Yuzhou, ed. (2005). 梁思成的山河岁月 (in Chinese). Orient Press. ISBN 9787506022323.
  6. "the layout of the site". FOREIGNERCN.COM. Retrieved 5 May 2012.

Bibliography
  • Zi Yan (2012). Famous Temples in China (in English and Chinese). Hefei, Anhui: Huangshan Publishing House. pp. 54–57. ISBN 978-7-5461-3146-7.
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