Linji Temple

Linji Temple was first established in 540, namely the 2nd year of Xinghe period in the Eastern Wei (534–550).[7][8]

In 854, in the Dazhong period of the mid–Tang dynasty (618–907), Linji Yixuan came to the temple to promote Buddhism. He created Linji school and Linji Temple became the cradle of Linji school since then. After he died in 867, his disciples built two stupas to house his Śarīra, one in Daming County and the other in Lingji Temple. Emperor Yizong named the stupa of Lingji Temple "Chengling Stupa" (澄灵塔).[7][8]

From 1125 to 1234, a protracted war between the two countries of the Song Empire (960–1276) and Jin Empire (1115–1234). Linji Temple was completely destroyed with only the stupa remaining. In 1183, namely the 23rd year of Dading period in the Jin dynasty, Emperor Shizong ordered local government to restore Lingji Temple with Liao and Jin dynasties architectural style.[7][8]

In the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), abbot Haiyun (海云) repaired and renovated the temple. Zhao Mengfu, the prominent calligrapher at that time, wrote a tablet inscription for the temple.[7][8]

In 1521, namely the 12th year of Zhengde period in the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), monks repaired the temple. At that time, the existing main buildings include the Shanmen, Mahavira Hall, Hall of Guru, Chengling Stupa and monk's dormitory. In the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, the temple was devastated by flames of war.[7][8]

In 1734, during the period of the Yongzheng Emperor of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Yongzheng Emperor granted Lingji Yixuan the title "Chan Master Zhenchang Huizhao" and gave a stone tablet to the temple. In 1830, during the reign of Daoguang Emperor, General Shu Tong'a (舒通阿) donated property to renovate the temple.[7][8]

During the Second Sino-Japanese War, there were still 6 buildings in the temple. After the Chinese Civil War, the temple only had the Chengling Stupa.[7][8]

After the founding of PRC, the communist government confiscated the sacred temple lands and forcefully disrobed the monastic members. In 1982, Shi Youming (释有明) took up the post of abbot in the ruins of Linji Temple.[1] In 1983, Linji Temple was listed among the first group of the National Key Buddhist Temple in Han Chinese Area by the State Council of China. After the 3rd Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, according to the national policy of free religious belief, Linji Temple was returned to the Buddhist community and officially reopened to the public in 1984.[4][8]

In 1985, the Japanese Buddhist orders of Rinzai and Ōbaku schools provided financial support to restore the Chengling Stupa. The Mahavira Hall, Hall of Guru and monk's dormitory were added to the temple gradually. Zhao Puchu, the then president of the Buddhist Association of China, wrote the plaques of "Linji Temple" and "Mahavira Hall". On May 19, 1986, Benhuan and Makoto Shinohara (筱原大雄), both eminent descendants of Linji (Rinzai) school in China and Japan, held a canonization ceremony at the temple.[4][8]

In 2001, Yuantong Hall, Hall of Bhaisajyaguru and monk's dormitory were add to the temple.[8]

The Mahavira Hall was rebuilt in 1987. In the center of the hall enshrines the statue of Shakyamuni with Kassapa Buddha standing on the left and Ananda on the right. At the back of Sakyamuni's statue are statue of Guanyin. The statues of Eighteen Arhats stand on both sides of the hall. Ksitigarbha stands in the southeast, Manjushri stands in the north and Samantabhadra stands in the west.[7]

The Faru Hall enshrining the gurus of Buddhism. In the middle is Bodhidharma, statues of Huineng and Linji Yixuan stand on the left and right sides of Sakyamuni's statue.[7]

The statue of Maitreya Buddha is enshrined in the Hall of Four Heavenly Kings. Four Heavenly Kings' portraits hang on the east and west walls, they are the eastern Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the southern Virūḍhaka, the western Virūpākṣa, and the northern Vaiśravaṇa. Portraits of Skanda and Lord Guan hang on the south wall.[7]

The Chengling Stupa (澄灵塔) also known as "Green Stupa" (青塔), was built in 867 and has been rebuilt numerous times since then. the stupa is multi-eaves style brick stupa with 9 stories. It has an octahedral shaped hollow tiers and is 30.47-metre (100.0 ft) high. It is composed of a stupa base, a sumeru throne and a dense-eave body. The sumeru throne and banisters were engraved patterns of various flowers and birds.[3][7][5][6]