Sanfeng Chan Temple

Sanfeng Chan Temple, also known as Sanfeng Qingliang Chan Temple, is a historic Buddhist temple located at the northern foot of Yushan Mountain in Changshu, Jiangsu Province. Originally named "Sanfeng Chan Monastery," the temple was first built during the Southern Liang Dynasty (approximately 502-557 AD) and named after its location on the third peak of Yushan Mountain. The Tang Dynasty poet Chang Jian mentioned "the faint sound of bells from the cloudy stream" in his poem "The Third Peak," indicating that the temple was already an ancient one during the Tang Dynasty. During the Ming Dynasty, the eminent monk Hanyue Fazang resided here, elevating the temple to a prominent ancestral temple of the Linji School of Chan Buddhism, alongside Hangzhou's Lingyin Temple and Ningbo's Tiantong Temple. In 1699, during the 38th year of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, the emperor bestowed the name "Sanfeng Qingliang Chan Temple" upon the temple during his southern tour and personally inscribed a plaque for it. During its peak, the temple boasted over a thousand rooms, housed over a thousand monks, possessed vast fields for cultivation, and had 15 affiliated courtyards, making it a major Buddhist center in the Jiangnan region. The temple suffered damage from war and fire multiple times throughout history, particularly during the Xianfeng era when the main hall, Daxiong Baodian, was destroyed. In 2001, the government approved the reconstruction of the temple on its original site. The first phase of the project was completed in five years, and a Buddha statue consecration ceremony was held in 2006. The temple now covers an area of 50 mu (approximately 8.2 acres) with a building area of 3,600 square meters, restoring the architectural style of the Ming Dynasty. The Daxiong Baodian is constructed with the largest redwood structure in the Jiangnan region. The screen wall in front of the temple is 21 meters wide and 7.3 meters high. The front is engraved with Zhao Puchu's calligraphy of the Heart Sutra, while the back features the inscription "Great vows fulfilled, a hundred blessings adorn" by Master Hongyi. The mountain gate bears a plaque inscribed with "Sanfeng" by Sun Hao from the Qing Dynasty. The temple's layout follows the mountain's contours. The central axis runs through the Sanmen Hall, the Hall of the Heavenly Kings, and the Daxiong Baodian. The living quarters are located on the north side, while historical relics such as the "Tiaoshui Tan" (Water-Carrying Pond) are preserved on the south side. Details such as the number of steps and pillars embody Buddhist doctrines. For example, the 147 steps symbolize the sum of "53 visits + six perfections + 88 Buddhas." Two 236-year-old Chinese catalpa trees in front of the mountain gate, known as the "First Chinese Catalpas of Jiangnan," attract visitors with their sea of light purple blossoms in late spring and are listed as second-class protected trees in the Changshu Ancient Tree Register. A couplet inside the temple reads, "A long whistle echoes through the mountains and valleys; looking up, the sea and sky are vast," expressing Chan Buddhist sentiments. Weng Tonghe, a tutor to two emperors, studied here and donated an ancient copy of the Shurangama Sutra, which is now housed in the temple. Sanfeng Chan Temple is not only an important ancestral temple of the Linji School but is also renowned for the "Sanfeng Doctrine." Monk Hanyue Fazang established a unique Chan Buddhist method here and engaged in Buddhist debates with Miyun Yuanwu of Tiantong Temple, leading to the formation of the "Sanfeng School." The modern patriotic monk Zongyang supported Sun Yat-sen's revolution, and records of his deeds are preserved within the temple. Sanfeng Chan Temple integrates natural landscapes, Buddhist culture, and historical architecture. It is both a sacred place for Buddhist practice and a popular destination for tourists seeking to explore history and nature. Its redwood main hall, ancient trees, and Chan Buddhist heritage form a unique cultural symbol, making it a worthwhile destination for in-depth exploration.