Fangguang Temple (simplified Chinese: 方广寺; traditional Chinese: 方廣寺; pinyin: Fāngguǎng Sì) is a Buddhist temple located on Mount Tiantai in Taizhou, Zhejiang, China.[1] The temple is the Bodhimanda of Five Hundred Arhats.

Fangguang Temple
方广寺
Religion
AffiliationBuddhism
SectChan Buddhism
LeadershipShi Dingrong (释定荣)
Location
LocationMount Tiantai, Taizhou, Zhejiang
CountryChina
Fangguang Temple is located in Zhejiang
Fangguang Temple
Shown within Zhejiang
Geographic coordinates29°15′07″N 121°02′16″E / 29.251933°N 121.037697°E / 29.251933; 121.037697
Architecture
StyleChinese architecture
FounderTanyou (昙猷)
Date established363–365
Completed1980s (reconstruction)

History

edit

Eastern Jin dynasty

edit

The original temple dates back to the Xingning period (363–365) of the Jin dynasty (266–420), founded by monk Tanyou (昙猷).[2]

Tang dynasty

edit

In the Tang dynasty (618–907), its name was changed into "Fangguang Shengshou Temple" (方广圣寿寺).[2]

Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

edit

During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907–960), Qian Chu (929–988), the King of Wuyue (907–978), added the Hall of Five Hundred Arhats to the temple. Since then, Fangguang Temple became the Bodhimanda of Five Hundred Arhats.[2]

Song dynasty

edit

In the early Song dynasty (960–1279), the emperor inscribed and honored the name "Fangguang Chongchan Temple" (方广崇禅寺). In 1101, in the reign of Emperor Huizong (1101–1125), the temple reduced to ashes by a devastating fire. In 1198, almost a century later, Fangguang Temple was restored and redecorated.[2]

Ming dynasty

edit

In 1604, in the late Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Ge Yipeng (葛一鹏) supervised the reconstruction of Fangguang Temple. 30 years later, Wang Fuzhi and Xia Rubi (夏汝弼) raised funds to renovate the temple. Renovations and rebuilding to the main building began in 1634 and were completed in 1636.

Qing dynasty

edit

In the ruling of Daoguang Emperor (1821–1850) in the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Zeng Guoquan, a general of the Xiang Army, appropriated a large sum of money for refurbishing the temple.

People's Republic of China

edit

During the ten-year Cultural Revolution, a disastrous fire consumed Fangguang Temple.

A modern restoration of the entire temple complex was carried out in 1980, after the 3rd Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.

Fangguang Temple has been inscribed as a National Key Buddhist Temple in Han Chinese Area by the State Council of China in 1983.

Architecture

edit

The existing main buildings include the Shanmen, Mahavira Hall, Hall of Five Hundred Arhats, Hall of Ksitigarbha, and wing-rooms.

References

edit
  1. ^ “中华十大名山”之一天台山 [Ten Famous Mountains in China: Mount Tiantai]. 163.com (in Chinese). 2015-10-14.
  2. ^ a b c d 浙江天台山中方广寺(图) [Fangguang Temple in Mount Tiantai, Zhejiang]. sina (in Chinese). 2012-08-24.