Kaiyuan Temple

Located at 176 West Street, Licheng District, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, Kaiyuan Temple is the largest Buddhist temple in Fujian Province and a significant historical and cultural site on the southeastern coast of China: History - Founding: Kaiyuan Temple was initially built in 686 AD during the Tang Dynasty. Originally the mulberry garden of Huang Shou Gong, it was converted into a temple named "Lotus Temple." Later, it was known as "Xingjiao Temple" and "Longxing Temple" before Emperor Xuanzong of Tang renamed it "Kaiyuan Temple" in 739 AD. - Development and Restoration: After a fire in 897 AD, Quanzhou's regional governor, Wang Shenbang, rebuilt the temple under imperial decree. During the Northern Song Dynasty's Xining reign, the local governor ordered the conversion of the porridge distribution center into a meditation hall and the construction of the Ganlu Ordination Platform. After the east and west pagodas were destroyed by fire during the Southern Song Dynasty, they were rebuilt as stone pagodas. During the Yuan Dynasty, numerous branch temples were constructed and later merged under unified management. Renovations and reconstructions also took place during the Ming, Qing, and Republican periods. Architectural Features - Official Architectural Style: Due to historical funding from imperial officials for reconstruction, the architecture exhibits official characteristics, presenting a grand and solemn overall appearance. - "Imperial Palace Style": Most buildings are centered around a main hall with symmetrical side halls, featuring inner courtyards and corridors. The exterior boasts red walls and white stones, recessed roof ridges, and upturned eaves, showcasing a bold and unrestrained style. - Fusion of Chinese and Western Styles: During the Republican period, overseas Chinese introduced Western architectural techniques and materials. For instance, the Sutra Depository, a two-story imitation wooden structure built with cement, features red, white, and black exterior walls, an outer corridor, and diverse functionalities. Main Buildings - Hall of Heavenly Kings: Primarily built in 1925, this three-bay, three-entrance square "overhanging" structure houses the statues of Mijira and Brahma, also known as "Heng and Ha." The entrance bears a plaque inscribed with "Great Kaiyuan Wanshou Chan Temple," and the pillars display couplets written by Master Hongyi.