Okay, Daming Temple is a famous Buddhist temple in China with a long history and high status. It is best known for its deep connection with the Tang Dynasty monk Jianzhen.

Okay, Daming Temple is a famous Buddhist temple in China with a long history and high status. It is best known for its deep connection with the Tang Dynasty monk Jianzhen. Here is a detailed introduction to Daming Temple: Overview · Name: Daming Temple · Location: No. 1, Pingshantang, Zhongfeng, Shugang, Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province · Status: National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, National Key Buddhist Temple in Han Areas, National AAAA-level Tourist Attraction · Features: A scenic spot integrating Buddhist temples, cultural relics, and garden landscapes Main History and Highlights 1. Construction and Name Changes: · Built during the Daming period of Emperor Xiaowu of the Southern Song Dynasty (457-464), hence the name "Daming Temple." · When Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty toured Yangzhou, he avoided the characters "Daming" (which could remind people of the previous Ming Dynasty) and personally renamed it "Fajing Temple," a name used until 1980. · In 1980, to welcome the touring exhibition of Master Jianzhen’s statue returning from Japan, the ancient name "Daming Temple" was restored. 2. Connection with Master Jianzhen (Core Value): · Daming Temple is famous at home and abroad mainly because it was the place where the Tang Dynasty monk Jianzhen took monastic vows, practiced, and later served as abbot. · Jianzhen devoted himself to studying Buddhism and teaching precepts here, becoming a great master of his time. · In the first year of the Tianbao era of the Tang Dynasty (742), responding to the earnest requests of Japanese monks Rongrui and Puzhao, Jianzhen decided to cross east to Japan to propagate Buddhism. After six attempts and twelve years of hardship, despite becoming blind, he persevered and finally succeeded on the sixth voyage (753). · Jianzhen brought the essence of Chinese Buddhism, architecture, sculpture, medicine, calligraphy, and other cultures to Japan, profoundly influencing Japanese culture and is honored as the founder of the Japanese Ritsu sect. · The temple houses the Jianzhen Memorial Hall, built in 1973 by the famous architect Liang Sicheng, modeled after the Golden Hall of Japan’s Nara Tōshōdai-ji Temple, symbolizing Sino-Japanese cultural exchange. 3. Other Important Ancient Sites and Attractions: · Qiling Pagoda: The temple’s landmark building. During Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, a nine-story pagoda was built to enshrine Buddha’s relics. Poets Li Bai, Bai Juyi, and Liu Yuxi once climbed the pagoda and wrote poems. It was later destroyed during Emperor Wuzong’s Buddhist suppression and wars. The current pagoda was rebuilt in 1993, has nine stories, and visitors can climb it to overlook Yangzhou city. · Pingshantang: Built when the great Northern Song Dynasty writer Ouyang Xiu was governor of Yangzhou. He often entertained guests, enjoyed the scenery, and composed poetry here. The hall’s name means "the distant mountains come level with this hall," as sitting inside, looking south, the mountains like Jinshan and Jiaoshan appear level with the eaves. · Gulin Hall: Built by Su Shi to commemorate his mentor Ouyang Xiu. · Ouyang Shrine: Contains a stone carving of Ouyang Xiu made from reflective material, creating the curious effect of "white beard, black hat; white when viewed from the front, black from the back." · The Fifth Spring Under Heaven: The "Tea Sage" Lu Yu ranked springs in the Tang Dynasty, placing this spring twelfth. Later, Qing Dynasty calligrapher Wang Shu inscribed it as "The Fifth Spring Under Heaven," hence the name. Visiting Tips · Best Season: Spring (when Yangzhou is famous for its March blossoms) and autumn, with pleasant weather. · Visiting Time: Recommended 2-3 hours to fully appreciate the history and culture. · Main Route: Mountain Gate → Mahavira Hall → Jianzhen Memorial Hall → Qiling Pagoda (climb the pagoda) → Pingshantang → Gulin Hall → West Garden (Fifth Spring) · Special Experiences: Climb Qiling Pagoda to overlook Yangzhou, enjoy literary elegance at Pingshantang, and feel the weight of history and Sino-Japanese friendship at the Jianzhen Memorial Hall. Summary Daming Temple is not only a thriving Buddhist temple but also a cultural treasure trove carrying the Buddhist culture of the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the literary sentiments of Song Dynasty scholars, and the history of Sino-Japanese friendly exchanges. It skillfully integrates religion, history, architecture, gardens, and literature, making it a must-visit core attraction for every traveler to Yangzhou.