Tourist attractions of Guangde Temple in Suining

When we arrived at the entrance of the scenic spot, we saw the spectacular and majestic archway of the "Guanyin Dojo". Across the archway, there is a wide square with eight Buddhist treasures engraved on the left and right sides - a vase, an umbrella, a pair of fishes, a lotus, a conch, an auspicious knot, a victory banner, and a golden wheel. The eight Buddhist treasures, also known as the eight auspicious signs and the eight auspicious signs, are used in auspicious patterns to decorate temple buildings. They are a common and profound combined decoration culture in Tibetan Buddhism, symbolizing auspiciousness, happiness, and perfection. This is a vase, which contains pure water (nectar) and precious stones, which means auspiciousness and purity, wealth, happiness and wisdom, and symbolizes Amitabha and the eternal life of the soul. It also symbolizes the Buddha's neck.

For example, Buddhism uses umbrellas to cover demonic obstacles and protect the Dharma, so the umbrella symbolizes the supreme authority of the Buddha's teachings. It also symbolizes the Buddha's head.

There is also a lotus fountain in the square, which erupts milky white mist from time to time, making people feel like they are in a fairyland. The lotus flower is pure and auspicious, symbolizing the quality of being unsullied and the fruit of cultivation. The pure vase on it is undoubtedly the incarnation of Avalokitesvara, the compassionate and rescuing person.

In addition, there is a huge treasure seal on the square, which is known as "One Seal for the World". Although it is not real, Guangde Temple does have such a treasure seal, which is said to be stored in the Sutra Pavilion behind the Jade Buddha Hall. This treasure seal is called the "Imperial Imperial Guangli Zen Temple Avalokitesvara Jewelry Seal". It is one of the five treasures of Guangde Temple and a mountain-holding seal given by the emperor. It is said that there are only a handful of royal seals in the country that were given to Zhenshan, but Guangde Temple has only two. One of them is this Guanyin jewel seal given by Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty in the fourth year of Dazhong Xiangfu in the Northern Song Dynasty (1011). What is presented to visitors is the Guanyin jewelry seal enlarged 26,900 times in the same scale. The other one is the "Jade Seal of the Four Kingdoms" given by Emperor Wuzong of the Ming Dynasty.

It is said that in order to facilitate the management of temples in the southwest region, Emperor Wuzong of the Ming Dynasty specially granted the "Jade Seal of the Four Kingdoms" to Guangde Temple, which was engraved with Chinese characters, Burmese, and Sinhalese (the ancient name of Sri Lanka). The four languages ??of Latin alphabet and Pali (a language of ancient India) govern the large and small monasteries in Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou. There is no hindrance to leaving the country with the ultimatum stamped with this seal. From this we can see the high status of Guangde Temple. Behind "Yiyin Tianxia", there are two "Qici Guangde Zen Temple" buildings. The one on the left should be a recent imitation, and the one on the right may be the original one. In front of the square is the "Stele of Excerpts of Records of Magical Treasures of the Past Dynasties", which records some of the history of Guangde Temple. It is understood that Guangde Temple was built in the Tang Dynasty (around 618 AD) and was originally called Shifo Temple. In the second year of Dali (767), Emperor Daizong of the Tang Dynasty, the name of the temple was changed to "Baotang Temple". In the thirteenth year of Dali (778 AD), the temple was named "Chanlin Temple" by imperial edict, and Yan Zhenqing was ordered to write a plaque on the temple. In the early years of Emperor Dezong's founding (780), it was named Sianji Temple. In the third year of Emperor Zhaozong's reign (903), it was named "Zaixing Chanlin Temple". In the fourth year of Emperor Zhenzong's Xiangfu reign in the Northern Song Dynasty (1011), it was named "Guangli Temple". During the Zhengde reign of Emperor Wuzong of the Ming Dynasty, he was granted the title of "Guangde Temple".

It is precisely because of the eleven imperial edicts of the Tang, Song and Ming dynasties that Guangde Temple became famous. It once dominated more than 300 mountains in Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan, and was revered as "the first in the West". Buddhist temple".

There are exquisite carvings on the original "Chici Guangde Zen Temple" square. Passing through the "Edicted Guangde Zen Temple" is the Yuanjue Bridge, which was built in the Song Dynasty and rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty. In October of the ninth year of Emperor Xiaozong's reign (1173), Zen Master Keyou was granted the title of "Yuanjue Hui Yingci" by imperial edict. Named after "Master of Sense". Yuanjue Bridge is actually a very short wooden corridor, spanning a small stream, starting from the east and ending in the west. There are three two-story, double-eaves, bright-column pavilions on the bridge, with couplets on the entrance and exit of the corridor doors.

The first couplet when entering the door: It is advisable to walk on the right path. The second couplet: Everyone who enters the door has been here before. The horizontal comment: Ask your mind. When going out, the first couplet: Who opened his eyes to see through the vast world, the second couplet: At this point, you have to stand on your heels before you can enter the non-two Dharma door, and the vertical comment: Yuanjue Bridge. After crossing Yuanjue Bridge, you will arrive at the Shanmen Hall of Guangde Temple. It should be said that you can really enter Guangde Temple from here.

In the Shanmen Hall, the mighty and ferocious Hengha generals opened their eyes and puffed up their noses, with their upper bodies exposed and strong bodies, holding weapons and glaring angrily. They did their duty to guard the mountain gate and protect the Buddhist kingdom and Dharma from infringement forever. Entering Guangde Temple, on the steps facing you, stands the "Imperial Edict" Square. This is where the temple welcomes the emperor's edict. This "Imperial Edict" Square is also the second treasure of Guangde Temple.

The "Imperial Edict" Square was first built in the Song Dynasty, and the existing buildings were renovated during the Chenghua Period of the Ming Dynasty. The horizontal plaque has four golden characters "Edict to Zen Forest" written by Yan Zhenqing, and the two characters "Imperial Edict" are written on the south side of the square. It has a wooden structure, double eaves and a mountain-style roof, sparse brackets, far-reaching eaves, and flying algae corners. It is simple and simple. , is the only "imperial edict" archway in a temple in the country. It is said that Mount Emei went ten miles away from the temple gate to welcome the imperial edict, but Guangde Temple welcomed the imperial edict in the temple, which shows that Guangde Temple is extremely prestigious.

There is a pavilion on the left and right sides of the "Imperial Edict" square. There is a stone tablet erected in each pavilion. The stone tablets are engraved with inscriptions written by Ming Dynasty Jinshi and Di Yangming. On the left is "Guangde Temple Stele Yin Ji" and on the right. It is "Records of the Additional Construction of Guangde Temple". Although it has been weathered by nature, the seal characters of the title and some of the words can still be clearly seen. Going up from the "Imperial Edict" Square and passing through Tusitatian (Tianwang Hall), you will see the main hall of Guangde Temple - the Main Hall. The main hall stands on a four-meter-high double-layer bluestone platform. The hall is 10 meters high, 22.6 meters long and 22.6 meters wide, with an area of ??510.76 square meters. It was built during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty.

In front of the Mahavira Hall, there is an important symbol of Mahayana Buddhism - the Zunsheng Banner, which means that Mahayana Buddhism can free you from the suffering of reincarnation for a lifetime.

On the stone wall behind the Main Hall, there are 72 Buddha stories carved with meticulous carving and vivid shapes. One of the paintings is "Purchasing Gold and Buying Land", which tells the story of the Suda elders of Sravasti who bought land with gold and built a monastery for the Blessed One to preach the Dharma.