Lingyin Temple

Why Lingyin Temple is special ?

Lingyin Temple, or Temple of the Soul's Retreat, got it name from its tranquil surroundings. Sheltered by forested hills on three sides, the temple is a quiet and sheltered sanctuary (when it is not thronged by visitors). Lingyin (Hidden Spirit) Temple is one of the largest and most visited Buddhist temples in China and holds the largest statue of the Buddha Sakyamuni in the lotus position.

It was built in 328 AD by the Indian Monk Huili. It prospered and flourished during the Five Dynasties Period (907-960) when there were 9 buildings, 18 towers, 72 halls with 1,300 ROOMS and more than 3,000 monks. Over history, the temple has been damaged and undergone renovation several times. It has recently been rebuilt in its original style.

Source: http://www.chinahighlights.com/

What to explore at Lingyin Temple?

The main temple seen today on a visit is the result of renovations that took place in 1974. Visitors will find a tablet in the first hall, also known as the Hall of the Heavenly Kings and the main entrance to the temple area. The tablet has inscriptions from the mouth of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. He fell so in love with the temple and its surroundings that he called it “Cloud Forest Buddhist Temple.” The hall with its elegant and impressive double eaves and many more details also includes an image of what is known as the Four Heavenly Kings on either side of an immense statue of a laughing Buddha with a jolly belly. He brims with joy at all those who enter. The hall is also fantastically painted with sophisticated phoenixes and dragons of all kinds.

Lingyin Temple, The Hall of the Great Hero is across the courtyard. It is a single story construction also boasting double eaves on the roof. Although it is just 1 story, it stands at 33.6 meters tall, making it one of the tallest of its kind in China. Visitors will find a statue of Sakyamuni, also known as Buddha himself. The work is made of 24 sections of camphor wood and stands as tall as about 15 humans. It is one of the most immense wooden statues in the country, not to mention it is also coated in gold leaf. Twenty saints said to be the protectors of justice surround Sakyamuni.

Other distinctive parts of the temple to experience are the Grand Hall of the Great Sage, Hall of the Medicine Buddha, Sutra Library built in the years 2000-2002, Huayan Hall, and the Hall of the Five Hundred Arhats with an interesting floor layout shaped like a Buddhist swastika lined with indeed 500 arhats.

In modern times today, Lingyin Temple continues to be a place of refuge for worshippers as well as a site for tourism. The environment of the Wuling Mountains add additional allure to the destination and the entire scenic area now includes various historic constructions, artwork, pagodas, pavilions, bridges, and statues of the religious persuasion. Nearby are the Feilai Feng grottoes, also known as Flying Peak, where to be found are a number of Buddhist carvings and statues created directly into the rocks.

Source: http://www.shanghaihighlights.com/

How to get to Lingyin Temple?

Public Transportation

- From Hangzhou Railway (main) Train Station :

• By bus: take the Y2 City Bus line to Ling Yin stop (about 12 stops), or the K7 bus line to Ling Yin Stop (about 15 stops).

- From Hangzhou (XiaoShan) Airport

There is a Shuttle Coach from the airport to Hangzhou Railway Station that leaves approximately every 30-40 minutes. From the trail station there are public buses and taxis available.

Source: http://en.lingyinsi.org/