Lingfeng Temple

Lingfeng Temple sits atop Daxiong Peak of Lingfeng Mountain in Shuikou Village, Dipu Town, Anji County, roughly 12 kilometres away from the county seat.

First founded in the 1st year of the Kaiping reign of the Later Liang Dynasty during the Five Dynasties (907 AD), it was originally named Lingfeng Courtyard. In the 2nd year of the Zhiping reign of the Song Dynasty (1065 AD), it was renamed Baifu Courtyard. Then in the 49th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1784 AD), it was given its current formal title Lingfeng Lecture Temple, commonly referred to as Lingfeng Temple. It ranks as the largest Buddhist monastery in Anji.

Qian Liu (825–932 AD), King of Wuyue, was a devout Buddhist and generous patron. He visited the temple twice and bestowed an inscribed horizontal plaque bearing the words “Lingfeng Changxing” (Everlasting Prosperity of Lingfeng), which brought great prosperity to the compound. The monastery underwent numerous restorations throughout the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.

Lingfeng Temple has nurtured generations of eminent monks. Master Yilin laid its foundation in the Five Dynasties; Monk Zhongxian resided here in the Song Dynasty. During the Zhizheng reign of the Yuan Dynasty (1341–1368), the Japanese monk Dongzhuo sailed to China en route to India but was forced to abandon his pilgrimage. He stayed on to serve as abbot of the temple until his passing.

The Ming Dynasty saw the great Master Zhixu (1599–1655, courtesy name Ouyi). He authored 47 Buddhist works spanning 191 volumes, including the seminal Treatises of the Lingfeng School. He founded the Lingfeng lineage of the Pure Land School and is venerated as the Ninth Patriarch of Pure Land Buddhism.

The current abbot, Grand Monk Shangda Xiayuan, received his ordination at Fanyin Cave on Putuo Mountain. Under his leadership, large-scale renovations of Lingfeng Temple have been carried out, an act of boundless meritorious virtue.

According to the Republican-era Records of Lingfeng Temple, the monastery once boasted five main halls, six side halls, two multi-storey buildings, three meditation chambers and fourteen pagodas. Years of neglect left the complex severely dilapidated. In May 1983, the People’s Government of Anji County designated Lingfeng Temple a protected cultural relic, after which initial maintenance works were conducted. In 1997, restorations were completed on the Mountain Gate, Heavenly King Hall, Hall of the Three Saints, Buddhist Scripture Library, monk quarters and guest lodgings. In December 2000, the Memorial Hall of Master Ouyi was newly finished. Constructed with a double-eaved gable-and-hip roof, it features grand and imposing architecture.

To this day, the temple preserves valuable stone steles including the Stele of the Reconstruction of Lingfeng Temple, Stele of the Taoist Monk Zhixu of the Ming Dynasty, Stele of Lord Fan Yun and Inscription of Lingfeng Baifu Temple.

Scattered around Lingfeng Temple are ancient scenic sites: the Heart Enlightening Pond, Moon Angling Pond, Plum Blossom Stream, Immortal Platform, Wrapped Tree Spring, Nurturing Peace Spring, Scripture-Discussing Rock, Divine Boat Gorge, Shadow Cloud Pool and Huayan Cave.

Nestled amid rolling mountain ranges, the temple is fronted by towering ancient trees, flanked by gurgling brooks and dense green bamboo, exuding unmatched serenity and seclusion. Local historical records write of it: “The temple was built against the peak, and the peak became renowned through the temple; lofty ridges showcase exquisite beauty, and thick woods envelop the land in profound quiet.”

It is clear that Lingfeng Temple stands as an exceptional tourist destination.