Lingyin Temple

Introduction 

Lingyin Temple is also known as the Temple of Soul's Retreat. It was built in 328 AD by an Indian Monk, Huili. The temple is popular and gets hundreds of tourists and pilgrims and even thousands during peak seasons. In 1961 it was listed as a protection provincial historical and cultural site considered to be a leading center for research relative to Chinese Buddhist culture. The Temple is long and narrow and is located between Peak Flown From Afar and North Peak to the northwest of the West Lake at Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province. The Temple contains an important collection of Buddhist literature and has become a great center for information to those who wish to study aspects of Chinese Buddhism. 

The temple came into existence since the Eastern Jin Dynasty between 317 and 420AD. Legend has it that an Indian monk, Huili, choose this location of the temple based on the locations natural scenery. He felt the need to choose this location as a home to Immortals and that is how he gave the temple the name: the Temple of the Soul's Retreat. During the Five Dynasties (907-960 AD) the King of the Wu Yue State expressed a sense of devotion to Buddha and initiated a large scale development of the temple. The main building that can be seen today was restored after the temple was destroyed. 

Things to see and do on a visit

Inscribed Tablets

At the entrance, if the first hall of Lingyin Temple is a tablet inscribed with words penned by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. The emperor was pleased by the sight of the temple shrouded in mist amongst the trees that surround it hence giving it the title 'Cloud Forest Buddhist Temple'. This great hall has double eaves and is at least 60 feet in height.

The Laughing Buddha

At the Hall of the Heavenly King is the statue of Maitreya which appears to be bare, fat and wearing a smiling face. The Buddha is said to be able to endure all intolerance and laugh at every laughable person in the world. The hall has articulately painted ceiling decorated with phoenixes and dragons.

Hall of the Great Hero

Also known as Da Xiong Bao Dian, this hall of the Great Hero has seven rooms wide, five rooms deep and is a single storey construction. Its double eaved roof rises up to 33.6 meters high creating what is believed to be the highest single storey building to be found in China. The hall is also home to a statue of Sakyamuni carved from 24 sections of camphor wood with an overall height of 24.8 meters making it one of the largest wooden statues in China that are covered with a gold leaf. The statue is also surrounded on either if its sides by twenty saints who are protectors of justice. Twelve disciples guards are seated along the rear wall of the wall and they form an imposing and impressionable scene.

Cool Spring Pavilion.

This Cool Spring Pavilion has constructed a thousand years ago during the Tang Dynasty and is the most favored location amongst visitors who wish to linger through it during the heat of summer.

Dine

There is a vegetarian restaurant near the temple known as Lingyin Vegetarian Restaurant serving typical Chinese cuisine that is specifically vegetarian.