Lingguang Temple (simplified Chinese: 灵光寺; traditional Chinese: 靈光寺; pinyin: Língguāng Sì; lit. 'Temple of Divine Light') is a Buddhist temple located in Meixian District of Meizhou, Guangdong, China.[1]
| Lingguang Temple | |
|---|---|
灵光寺 | |
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Buddhism |
| Deity | Chan Buddhism |
| Location | |
| Location | Meixian District, Meizhou, Guangdong |
| Country | China |
  Shown within Guangdong | |
| Geographic coordinates | 24°24′10″N 116°24′06″E / 24.402726°N 116.401608°E |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Chinese architecture |
| Founder | Pan Liaoquan (潘了拳) |
| Date established | 860–874 |
| Completed | 1385 (reconstruction) |
| Materials | Brick and wood |
History edit
The temple traces its origins to the former "Shengshou Temple" (圣寿寺), founded by master Pan Liaoquan (潘了拳) in the Xiantong period (860–874) of the Tang dynasty (618–907), and would later become "Lingguang Temple" in 1385 during the reign of Hongwu Emperor (1368–1398) at the dawn of Ming dynasty (1368–1644).[2]
Architecture edit
The complex include the following halls: Mahavira Hall, Hall of Four Heavenly Kings (Shanmen), Zhutian Hall (诸天殿), Bell tower, Drum tower, Hall of Guru, Dharma Hall, Meditation Hall, Dining Room, etc.
Hall of Four Heavenly Kings edit
Maitreya is enshrined in the Hall of Four Heavenly Kings and at the back of his statue is a statue of Skanda. Statues of Four Heavenly Kings are enshrined in the left and right sides.
Mahavira Hall edit
The Mahavira Hall is 14.52-metre (47.6 ft) wide and 14.75-metre (48.4 ft) deep with the architectural style of the Tang dynasty. Statue of Pan Liaoquan (潘了拳) is enshrined in front of the hall. In the middle are statues of Thousand Armed and Eyed Guanyin, Ksitigarbha and Mulian. Statue of Guanyin is placed at the back of the hall.
Zhutian Hall edit
The Zhutian Hall (诸天殿) enshrining the Twenty-four Heavenlies
National Treasure edit
The Bell tower houses a bronze bell which was cast in 1485, in the reign of Chenghua Emperor of the Ming dynasty weighing 1,000-kilogram (2,200 lb). It is 1.8-metre (5 ft 11 in) high and its bore is 1.5-metre (4 ft 11 in). A Chinese couple are carved in the outside.
References edit
- ^ 梅州市灵光寺旅游区第七届禅茶文化旅游节开幕. chinanews.com (in Chinese). 8 May 2018.
- ^ 岭南写真:探访侨乡梅州千年古刹灵光寺. 163.com (in Chinese). 17 July 2011.