Foshan Nanhai Temple

In A.D. 990 (i.e. the 5th year of Chunhua period of emperor Taizong, North Song Dynasty), Nanhai Kwan-yin Temple was built on the Niugu hillock of Nanguo peach garden over one thousand years ago.

 

The crowd in nearby areas who embraced the Buddhism always burnt incense in the Temple. With time on, this Temple was ruined many times during wars and reconstructed during peacetime.

 

As at Qing Dynasty, only remnant walls had been left, afterwards, it was demolished at late Qing Dynasty and had nothing left after the War Against Japanese Intrusion.

 

Prior to the development of Nangou Peach Garden, in order to carry forward the religious policies of China, Nanhai Kwan-yin Temple Preparatory Committee has been set up as required by the religious figures and Buddhists. And construction funds were colleted from all walks of life.

 

After several times of survey, Niugu hillock was selected as the temple site, which was located at a forested mount with beautiful scenery. This Kwan-yin Temple backs on the north of the mount and faces southwards, coupled with surrounded mountains (of which including dragon-like mount at the left side and tiger-like mount at the right side). Therefore, it is indeed not only a holy mount but also a famous scenic spot. The total occupying area of the Temple reaches over 100 mu. Zhao Puchu, chairman of China Buddhism Society, has inscribed an epigraph for Nanhai Kwan-yin Temple.

 

This Temple was opened up to the tourists on 12 February 1996. On 29 December 1996 (i.e. 11th November of the lunar year), Buddhist monk Shu Xincheng, chairman of Guangdong Province Buddhism Society and abbot of Nanhai Kwan-yin Temple, presided the opening ceremony. On 15 September 1998, Guangdong Province Buddhism Bureau and Nanhai Buddhism Office officially approved to set up the management committee of Nanhai Kwan-yin Temple.

 

The Temple is equidistant (12 miles)from Guangzhou and Foshan, thus it can offer a convenient traffic. Also, thanks to many believers, it's just at the height of splendor. On 26 January of lunar year (i.e. the temple's reception day), thousands of believers will make their pilgrimages to Nanhai Kwan-yin Temple, turning it into a biggest Buddhist Fairyland in Nanhai.

The scenic spots of Nanhai Kwan-yin Temple is rather characteristic. The occupying area of the freeing live animals pond in front of the Temple reaches over 30 mou, with numerous lotus flowers planted inside it. In the summer, there are blooming lotus, waving willows, singing birds and pigeons, as well as the water surface mirroring the pagoda. All of these above-mentioned give off a peaceful and lucky atmosphere and make tourists fascinated.

 

Nanhai Kwan-yin Temple is designed by the Ancient Architecture Dept of Tientsin University and constructed by Beijing First Engineering Construction Company. The colored drawing or pattern of the ridgepoles, girders, corridors, etc, is originated from the Palace-style buildings in Ming or Qing Dynasty (in view of Beijing's Imperial Palace), or sourced from the arts reserved by the Qing Dynasty. The Temple is divided into three layers with the next one taller than the previous one. Viewing far away, it features magnificence, while viewing closely, it features skillful techniques, thus offering much more enjoyment.

 

Both the white marble "nine dragons facing sun" and "lotus cavo relievo" were mounted on the axle wire of Kwan-yin Temple and then named as "the Emperor's Road". The Emperor's Road is referred to as the road that emperors walked along. In accordance with the regulations of feudalist dynasties, Emperor's Road can be mounted into nowhere but imperial palaces, or dragon's carving can be mounted into nowhere but basilica. As a palace-style temple, Nanhai Kwan-yin Temple could be equipped with Emperor's Road and dragons' carvings.

 

Coupled with clustered trees, the total occupying area of the cultural ground in front of the Temple amounts to over 40 mou, offering a resting-place for visitors. The Cake-Sharing Stone, Kwan-yin Spring and Ox Stone are sourced from the legend of Kwan-yin showing power. Besides, Marriage Tree, Waterfall's Headstream and peak park supplement the humane scenery for Kwan-yin Temple.