Published on : 08/10/2024
In addition to the large number of traditional gardens in China's Suzhou, there is also a great deal of temples and monasteries.
On the shores of Yangcheng Lake in Suzhou, there is a thousand-year-old temple called Chongyuan Temple, which is so grand and beautiful that it has become a "must-visit" destination in Suzhou.
What is the story of this gorgeous temple on the water?
Chongyuan Temple renamed because of Emperor Kangxi?
Chongyuan Temple (重元寺), first built in the reign of Emperor Wu of the Southern Liang Dynasty (AD 503), was originally named Chongxuan Temple (重玄寺).
It was built at the same time as the famous temples Hanshan Temple (寒山寺), Lingyan Temple (靈岩寺), and Baosheng Temple (保聖寺) in Suzhou, with a history of over 1,500 years.
Chongyuan Temple was the primary Buddhist site of Zen Buddhism, and the imperial court attached particular importance to it.
Its scale of this temple expanded over time with a continuous stream of devoted visitors. And the most intriguing part is actually the stunning scenery, making it the most beautiful temple in Suzhou.
Unlike most temples that are built in mountainous areas, Chongyuan Temple is built by the water and stands in the midst of the scenic Yangcheng Lake peninsula.
Part of the building is built on the lake and is connected to the main body of the temple through a bridge. It looks like a towering Buddhist kingdom on the water, simple and solemn, safeguarding the peace of the region.
The magnificent scenery of Chongyuan Temple were also highly praised by many famous poets of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Among them was the great poet Wei Yingwu (韋應物), who wrote a poem named "Visiting Chongyuan Temple Tower" (《登重元寺閣》) when he served as a prefect in Suzhou.
Read more: The Guanyin Pavilion standing in the Yangtze river for 600 years
Rebirth of the Chongyuan Temple
The Chongyuan Temple we see now was actually rebuilt in 2003, and the original building was destroyed in the 1970s.
The newly built Chongyuan Temple situated not far from its original site in the Chenyan Bay of Yangcheng Lake, covering an area of 13.3 hectares.
The temple still retains the magnificent momentum of the past. Its red wood buildings with green tile roofs, golden lacquer covered statues, etc., are all demonstrating a royal style, and recreating its elegance in the past.
The water-based Guanyin Pavilion and the main body of the temple complement each other. From above, you can see the massive lotus seat under the Guanyin Pavilion, blooming between the blue sky and clear water, magnificent and holy.
In addition, the rebuilt Chongyuan Temple has 10 national records, including the largest Great Hall, the tallest indoor Guanyin statue, and the largest copper drum with leather, all of which are exquisite attractions worth admiring.
Now, Chongyuan Temple has become a landmark building on the shore of Yangcheng Lake in Suzhou. Every year it attracts a large number of tourists and pilgrims.
Over a millennium, Chongyuan Temple continues to propagate Buddhist culture in new ways.
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