Zhantanlin

Zhantanlin (Chinese: 旃檀林; pinyin: Zhāntánlín) is a Buddhist temple located on Mount Jiuhua, in Qingyang County, Anhui, China.^[1]

Zhantanlin
旃檀林
Religion
Affiliation	Buddhism
Sect	Chan Buddhism
Leadership	Shi Huishen (释慧深)
Location
Location	Mount Jiuhua, Qingyang County, Anhui
Country	China
Geographic coordinates	30°28′57″N 117°48′30″E
Architecture
Style	Chinese architecture
Date established	17th century
Completed	1886 (reconstruction)

History

The temple was originally in the reign of Kangxi Emperor (1662–1722) in the Qing dynasty (1644–1911). Most of the temple buildings were destroyed in wars during the ruling of Xianfeng Emperor (1851–1861). In 1886, it was restored and redecorated by Chan master Dingchan (定禅).^[2]

During the Republic of China, abbot Fuxing (福星) enlarged the temple. A Buddhist laity named Yi Guogan (易国干) presented a plaque with the Chinese characters "福慧双修" to the temple.

In 1983, it has been designated as a National Key Buddhist Temple in Han Chinese Area by the State Council of China.

Architecture

Mahavira Hall

The Mahavira Hall is 11.5-metre (38 ft) long, 15.5-metre (51 ft) wide and 18-metre (59 ft) high. The Mahavira Hall is the main hall in the temple, enshrining the Three Saints of Hua-yan (华严三圣).

Hall of the Three Sages of the West

The Hall of the Three Sages of the West (西方三圣殿), for the worship of the Three Sages of the West, namely Guanyin, Amitabha and Mahasthamaprapta, is an important hall in the temple.

Hall of Great Compassion

The Hall of Great Compassion is 19-metre (62 ft) long, 19-metre (62 ft) wide and 19-metre (62 ft) high. 19 metre represent Guanyin's birth day (19 February), ordination day (19 June) and parinirvana day (19 September).^[3]

A statue of Thousand Armed and Eyed Guanyin is enshrined in the middle of the hall with 84 statues of Buddha standing on the left and right sides.^[3]

References

1. Zhang Yuhuan (2012), p. 145.
2. 旃檀林-国家级寺院--寺院揽胜-九华山佛教协会. jhsfojiao.com (in Chinese (China)). 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
3. Zhang Yuhuan (2012), p. 146.

Bibliography

• Zhang Yuhuan (2012). "Zhantanlin on Mount Jiuhua" 《福慧双修：九华山旃檀林》. 《图解中国著名佛教寺院》 [Illustration of Famous Buddhist Temples in China] (in Chinese). Beijing: Contemporary China Publishing House. ISBN 978-7-5154-0135-5.