Lingyin Temple | A sanctuary for the celestial and reclusive
Lingyin Temple, an ancient Buddhist temple in China, also known as Yunlin Temple, is located in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, backed by Beigao Peak and facing Feilai Peak.
It was founded in the first year of the Xianhe era of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (326 AD), and the founding patriarch of Lingyin Temple was the Western Indian monk Huili.
During the Southern Dynasties, Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty granted land and expanded the temple. During the Five Dynasties, King Qian Lou of Wuyue commanded the invitation of Master Yongming Yanshou to revive and expand the temple, and bestowed the name Lingyin Xin Temple.
In the Jiading era of Emperor Ningzong of the Song Dynasty, Lingyin Temple was acclaimed as one of the 'Five Mountains' of Chan Buddhism in the south of the Yangtze River. During the Shunzhi era of the Qing Dynasty, the Chan Buddhism master Ju De lived in Lingyin and raised funds for reconstruction.
Lingyin Temple is one of the earliest existing Buddhist temples in Hangzhou, and there is a saying among the people:
One must visit West Lake when coming to Hangzhou, and one must go to Lingyin when visiting West Lake, and one cannot miss the Lingjiu Peak (Feilai Peak) when at Lingyin.
This is because the origin of this Buddhist country in the southeast, which has continued for more than 1600 years, is Lingjiu Peak, which is said to have flown from distant India.
According to records, in 326 AD, the first year of the Xianhe era of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, an ancient Indian monk came to Hangzhou. When he reached the Wulin Mountains west of West Lake, he pointed to a small mountain and exclaimed: This is a ridge of our Indian Lingjiu Mountain, I wonder when it flew here, and said, during the Buddha's lifetime, this ridge was a place where celestial beings lived in seclusion, I wonder if it is still the same now.
The ancient Indian monk was named Huili, historically known as the Indian monk, and the ridge where the celestial beings lived in seclusion that Huili spoke of is today's Lingjiu Peak of Lingyin Temple, also known as Feilai Peak.
In the Buddhist scriptures, Lingjiu Mountain is a sacred place where the Buddha often gathered disciples for cultivation and preached in his later years.
Regarding the arrival of Lingjiu Mountain, Master Ju De, a patriarch of Lingyin Temple from the late Ming to early Qing dynasty, once said: The World-Honored One preached for 49 years, discussed the scriptures in more than 330 meetings, and at the end, in the assembly at Vulture Peak, in front of a million followers, he entrusted the Flower Sermon to Venerable Kashyapa, who smiled in transmission, and the great Dharma came eastward, thus this mountain had come to the land of Zhen Dan in anticipation.
Thus, the arrival of Feilai Peak is indeed not without reason. This is the Western Paradise, and the Western Paradise is here. Perhaps this is the origin of the phrase 'a stone's throw to the Western Paradise'.
It is said that after Master Huili discovered Feilai Peak, he stayed and often practiced at Yan Zuo Rock (Li Gong Rock), and soon after, Master Huili built 5 temples along the banks of Wulin Water near Feilai Peak.
One of them was named Lingyin, indicating that there were celestial beings living in seclusion here. According to records, after the construction of the 5 temples, Master Huili retreated into the deep mountains and never left Wulin for the rest of his life.
To visit Lingyin Temple, you need to purchase two separate tickets: one for the Feilai Peak Scenic Area and another for the Lingyin Temple itself. However, on certain occasions like the Buddha Bathing Festival, entry to the Lingyin Temple is free. It's best to follow their official social media channels for updates on such events.The opening hours are from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM. It's advisable to arrive early, as entering too late in the day is a waste
This is one of the best temples I have ever visited. At first I thought it was one building with beautiful statues but there are so many more hidden behind, and it goes higher and higher up the mountain. The top has some of the most impressive Buddha statues I've ever seen
The Oriental Pearl is the core scenic spot in Shanghai. It is a must-go and must-check in. There is also Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street nearby. It is a place worth visiting. On the Oriental Pearl, you can overlook the panoramic view of Shanghai. The night view is better.
Visiting Lingyin Temple with my father is a spiritual baptism trip. The ancient temple is hidden in the green mountains and green waters, the morning bells and drums, and the Fanyin is haunted, which is refreshing. The ancient trees in the temple are towering, the environment is quiet, and each brick and tile reveals the calmness and Zen of the years. We walked slowly through each temple, father worshiped religiously, I was silent, feeling this rare peace and the warmth of the family. Lingyin Temple is not only a religious holy place, but also a bridge for our father and son to communicate emotionally, making this trip meaningful and an unforgettable chapter of memory.
Start a trip that just walks away! Just a business trip nearby, come to Feilaifeng to worship Lingyin Temple, ask for 18 seeds! A perfect journey, the climbing stairs are not steep, but there are more ~ Special reminder: Feilaifeng tickets do not include Lingyin Temple tickets, Lingyin Temple tickets are purchased separately for 30 yuan, and all tickets for the cable car have student tickets! Remember to try not to go on weekends, there are crowds! Lingshun Temple is not in the Feilai Peak, pay attention when you go shopping, you have to buy tickets from the new one! If you rush to the first temple of wealth in the world, go directly up and down the cableway, you don't need to buy tickets...