History of Lingyun Temple in Leshan

Lingyun Temple in Leshan was built in the early period of Tang Gaozu Liyuan Wude (6 18-626), nearly 1400 years ago, even earlier than the construction of Leshan Giant Buddha. It is one of the oldest temples in China. Lingyun Temple is famous for its high moral, rising mountains and rivers, high spirits, far-reaching Buddhism and the holy land of Buddhism. Located on the east bank of Minjiang River in Leshan, Sichuan, a national historical and cultural city, it is a world-famous Maitreya Dojo. A stone's throw away from the Maitreya Buddha in Lingyun Temple is the world-famous Leshan Giant Buddha.

In the early years of Tang Kaiyuan (AD 7 13), when the Buddha statue was excavated, the temple was expanded, which was "equivalent to the Lingyun Buddha of Jiuding Mountain in previous dynasties". According to Yu Fang Sheng Lan, "Before Huichang, there were temples on each peak", which shows the prevalence of Buddhism before Huichang.

In the first year of Tang Jianzhong (780), Dezong issued the "Imperial Decree on Temple Repair", requiring state governments to repair and revitalize temples. Lingyun Temple immediately carried out large-scale maintenance.

In July of the fifth year of Tang Huichang (845), since Tang Wuzong and Li Yanyan suppressed Buddhism, Li Yan ordered the extinction of Buddhism on the grounds that monks and nuns were ignorant of consumption. "Buddhism eliminated four temples in Chang 'an and Luoyang, and one temple in each local state" (Jiang Weiqiao's History of Buddhism in China). According to history, the Buddhist temples in Meizhou and Lingzhou were destroyed by imperial edicts, and all eight temples on Lingyun Mountain were destroyed. Lingyun Temple was preserved because it was the largest "central temple" in the history of Shangzhou at that time, and it was "exquisite in workmanship". When the Buddhist temple was renamed in Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, it was very common there. It was once renamed Hongzhi. Zhu Mu wrote Yu Fang Sheng Lan in the Southern Song Dynasty: "Jiuding Mountain, to the left of the city, has Jiu Feng ... There used to be a temple in Huichang, but now there is only one temple to repay the debt. Cao Xuequan, a scholar and Sichuan provincial judge in Wanli period of Ming Dynasty, pointed out in Sichuan Scenic Spots that Hongzhi was Lingyun Temple.

Cen Can's poem "Dengjiazhou Lingyun Temple" once described Lingyun Temple as follows: "Birds outside the temple, Qingfeng back bamboo building." However, the temples we see today are no longer the original appearance of the Tang Dynasty. Lingyun Temple, built in the Tang Dynasty, was destroyed by Yuan Shundi War. It was repaired twice in Ming dynasty and destroyed again in late Ming dynasty.

In the sixth year of Kangxi (AD 1667), Lingyun Temple was rebuilt. Later, after many repairs, especially after liberation, the original appearance was basically preserved.

Buddhism has far-reaching influence and prosperity. From June 5438 to February 2005, Lingyun Temple was restored as a place for religious activities. According to observation, the big monk led the monks to stay in Xiling Temple, and Buddhist activities were carried out according to law. The precious mirror regained its light and the torch came back to life.

Due to historical reasons, the Millennium Temple has been in disrepair for a long time, and with the destruction of the Wenchuan "5. 12" earthquake in 2008, Lingyun Temple has become a dangerous building with broken bricks and tiles, crumbling walls and decaying beams and columns. Seriously endanger the safety of monks and tourists. Master Zhao Guan vowed to maintain the ancient temple and protect the giant Buddha. The maintenance project started on June 5438+ 10, 2006 and was successfully completed on June 438+00, 2065. Daxiong Hall, Maitreya Hall, Tibetan Scripture Building, Ancestral Temple, Dharma Hall, Zen Hall, Guest Hall, Sightseeing Hall, Liao Fang, Bell and Drum Tower, and Abbot are brand-new and magnificent, and Lingyun Temple has become a fine temple that matches the world cultural and natural heritage.