Hengyang / Fuyan Temple

#November Destinations 2025 Fuyan Temple: The Source of Zen Buddhism in Nanyue, the Court of All Under Heaven Fuyan Temple, located in Nanyue District, Hengyang City, Hunan Province (at the foot of Zhibo Peak in Hengshan Mountain), is one of the ten major Buddhist temples in China and the oldest and most prestigious Buddhist temple in Nanyue Hengshan. It was founded in the first year of Guangda reign of the Chen Dynasty in the Southern Dynasties (567 AD) by Master Huisi, the third patriarch of the Tiantai School of Buddhism, and has a history of over 1400 years. Originally named "Prajna Temple," it became an important ancestral temple of Zen Buddhism after Master Huairang (the founder of the Nanyue lineage of Zen Buddhism) propagated the Dharma here during the Tang Dynasty, and was later renamed "Fuyan Temple." Due to its profound Zen Buddhist origins and historical status, it is revered as the "Court of All Under Heaven" (meaning one of the fundamental centers of Zen Buddhism) and "An ancient temple of six dynasties, the center of the Seventh Patriarch's practice." 📍Core Features and Historical Value 1. Profound Status as an Ancestral Temple of Zen Buddhism · Huairang of Nanyue: The eminent Tang Dynasty monk Huairang propagated Zen Buddhism here. His disciple, Mazu Daoyi, founded the Hongzhou School, with far-reaching influence. The "Mirror Grinding Platform" next to the temple is a sacred site where Huairang enlightened Daoyi with the koan of "grinding a brick to make a mirror." · Shitou Xiqian: Another Zen master, Master Xiqian (the Stone Monk), also resided here and authored the *Cantongqi*. Huairang and Xiqian made Nanyue the national center of Zen studies at that time, hence the saying, "Throughout the world, those who speak of Zen are only from Caoxi and Nanyue." 2. Rare Temple Layout and Ancient Trees · East-Facing Mountain Gate: Most Chinese temples have their mountain gates facing south, but Fuyan Temple's mountain gate uniquely faces east, symbolizing "auspicious purple energy coming from the east." The temple plaque "Tianxia Fayuan" (The Court of the World) and the couplet "Ancient Temple of Six Dynasties; Dojo of the Seven Patriarchs" are magnificent. • Three-tiered, four-courtyard layout: Built into the mountainside, the main buildings include the mountain gate, guest hall, mountain god hall, main hall, ancestral hall, abbot's room, and scripture repository. • Millennium-old ginkgo: The temple boasts a thousand-year-old ginkgo tree (over 1400 years old) with branches intertwined at the same root, hailed as the "King of Trees of Hengshan," its golden hues in autumn creating a spectacular sight. 3. Important Cultural Relics and Buddhist Educational Functions • Collection of Cultural Relics: Preserves precious cultural relics such as the Tang Dynasty "Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss" stone carving, stone carvings from the Northern and Southern Dynasties, and inscriptions from various dynasties. • Eminent Monks Throughout History: Many masters, including Huisi, Zhiyi (Fourth Patriarch of the Tiantai School), Huairang, and Xiqian, practiced and propagated Buddhism here, making it a shining point in Buddhist history. • Meditation Center: It remains an important center for meditation and Buddhist research, with monks strictly adhering to monastic rules and maintaining a pure and virtuous lifestyle. 📍Practical Visitor Information * Address: Hengshan Scenic Area, Nanyue District, Hengyang City, Hunan Province (located near Mojingtai, above Banshanting). * How to Get There: 1. Walk or take the eco-friendly bus from the foot of Nanyue Mountain to Banshanting Cableway Station, then walk for about 20-30 minutes. 2. Or walk down the mountain from the Nantianmen direction. * Opening Hours: Usually the same as the opening hours of Hengshan Scenic Area (approximately 8:00-17:30), subject to seasonal adjustments. * Admission: Included in the Nanyue Hengshan Central Scenic Area ticket; no separate charge. * Highlights: 1. Mountain Gate: Experience the solemn atmosphere of the "Court of the World". 2. Mahavira Hall: Pay homage to the Buddha; the hall enshrines Shakyamuni Buddha. 3. Ancestral Hall/Yue Shen Hall: Learn about the temple's history and the lineage of Zen Buddhism. 4. Millennium Ginkgo Tree: Admire the magnificence of the "King of Trees" (best in autumn). 5. Mirror Polishing Platform (near the temple): Explore the site of the famous Zen koan of Huairang's enlightenment of Mazu by grinding a brick. · Tour Suggestions: 1. Time Allowed: 1-2 hours for a thorough visit. 2. Best Season: Autumn (golden ginkgo leaves) and spring (wildflowers in full bloom) are the most pleasant. 3. Attire: Comfortable walking shoes are required as there will be some hiking. 4. Combined Itinerary: A suggested itinerary could include: Nanyue Grand Temple → Hiking/Taking a vehicle up the mountain → Martyrs' Shrine → Xuandu Temple → Magu Wonderland → Mirror Polishing Platform → Fuyan Temple → Nantai Temple, forming a deeper Buddhist cultural tour. 5. Mental Preparation: As this is a still-operating monastery, please maintain silence and respect the monks' practice. Fuyan Temple is not merely an ancient temple; it is a three-dimensional history book of Zen Buddhism, a living Buddhist museum. Here, every brick, tile, piece of wood, and stone tells the story of the transmission of Buddhist teachings from the Northern and Southern Dynasties to the Sui and Tang Dynasties. For visitors, a visit to Fuyan Temple transcends ordinary sightseeing; it is a spiritual dialogue with the most glorious era of Zen Buddhism in China, a pilgrimage to the origins of Zen Buddhism across the land. Whether you are a Buddhist, a history enthusiast, or a cultural seeker, the profoundness, tranquility, and spirituality of Fuyan Temple will provide you with an unforgettable and deep cultural experience. It quietly hides amidst the verdant Hengshan Mountains, yet stands radiantly in the galaxy of Chinese Buddhist cultural history.