Linji Ancient Temple | Yong'an Zen Temple | Hunyuan

|Yong'an Zen Temple| Hunyuan. Yong'an Zen Temple The Fifth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units Detailed Address He Shun North Road, Hunyuan County, Datong City, Shanxi Province Cultural Relics Highlights Hunyuan was announced as the second batch of provincial historical and cultural cities by the Shanxi Provincial People's Government in 1993, and there are many cultural relics and historic sites in the county. The calligraphy, architecture, and murals of Yong'an Zen Temple are three major features. Calligraphy 1 The plaque titled 'Hall of the Transmission of the Dharma's True Lineage' inscribed by Monk Xue'an 2 The two giant characters 'Solemn', signed 'Taiyuan Longshan Duan Shida', followed by the seals 'Duan Shida's Seal' and 'Longshan Yue Xi' (Yong'an Zen Temple abbot from 1315 to 1342). 3 The four characters 'Tiger's Roar and Dragon's Chant' written by Zhang Xuan during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty 4 Couplets The couplets in front of the main hall have three different readings. Additionally, the couplets on the West Drooping Flower Gate read: 'The Hall of the True Lineage where Buddha always resides, the Dharma of Yong'an Zen Temple forever endures,' which can also be read as: 'Buddha always resides in Yong'an Zen Temple, the Dharma forever endures in the Hall of the True Lineage.' Architecture 1 The main hall is a Yuan Dynasty relic, and in September 1999, the Hall of the Transmission of the Dharma's True Lineage at Yong'an Temple underwent major repairs. 2 The hall is five bays wide and three bays deep, with architectural regulations that reflect the style of a royal monastery. The top center is covered with yellow glazed tiles, and the Hall of Heavenly Kings and the mountain gate with five pillars are also topped with yellow glazed tiles. 3 Yong'an Temple has five gates, which follow the same regulations as the Pagoda Temple in Wutai Mountain and Yong'an Temple in Beihai, Beijing. 4 The hall interior features reduced-column construction and thorough upper-bright construction 5 Octagonal caisson, hexagonal caisson, celestial palace pavilions 6 The wooden columns of the east and west side halls are relics from the Jin Dynasty Murals During the Yuan Dynasty, Buddhism was honored as the state religion, and Yong'an Temple incorporated elements of Tibetan Buddhism on the basis of the Linji sect monasteries. The murals can be divided into two parts. The images on the north wall depict the ten great Vidyarajas riding divine beasts, wielding the law, and protecting the Zen Dharma. The east, west, and south walls depict a grand scene of Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist deities from the three realms and ten directions, dressed in ceremonial attire, holding scepters, and paying homage to the Buddhist World Honored One. The content includes the Vidyarajas performing rituals, transforming into heavenly beings, Taoist transformation in all directions, turning into Buddha, eternal prosperity of Yong'an, profound virtue carrying all things, treasure of the void, and the long scroll of awakening. The Vidyarajas performing rituals mural on the north wall includes 37 figures and 14 divine beasts and mounts, painted during the Yuan Dynasty, reflecting the typical 'thousand officials in procession' composition rule of the Yuan Dynasty. Notably, the Great Vidyaraja Acala reveals a kind and compassionate Buddha face by pulling apart the fierce and evil Vidyaraja mask, the only Vidyaraja to show his true face, which is also a unique feature of the Yong'an Temple murals. The water and land dharma assembly murals on both sides employ a comparative painting method, that is, hiring two competing teams of painters. Although the overall appearance is similar, the painters on the east side pursue detail and beauty, while those on the west emphasize the whole and order. Opening Hours 08:00-18:00 Admission Ticket 20 yuan Transportation to the Site Get off at the post office stop from Hunyuan Bus Station and walk there Accommodation Nearby Local accommodation is not expensive, around two hundred or so, I chose Hengshan Hotel Dining Hunyuan cold noodles are a local specialty Parking Suggestions There is a free parking lot on the left side of Yong'an Zen Temple Guided Tour Service 200 yuan per group (1~10 people), high-quality explanation Personal Experience The water and land dharma assembly is overwhelming, leaving one unable to take it all in at once. Many people focus on the interior of the hall, but the calligraphy and architectural style outside are also rare gems, not to be missed. If you find the guided tour expensive, just tag along. Contact Information (including but not limited to public accounts, websites, apps) Public Account: Yong'an Temple