[2025 Xi'an Attraction] Travel Guide for Jingye Temple (Southwest Gate) (Updated Feb)

With the Qinling Mountains as a great resource, Xi'an residents love to go hiking in the mountains during summer. Jingye Temple, as an entry-level hiking destination in the Qinling Mountains with a very low difficulty level, is naturally a favorite spot for everyone. Entering Fengyu Pass and starting from the foot of the mountain, it only takes about an hour to reach Jingye Temple, the ancestral home of the Lü sect, one of the eight great ancestral temples of Buddhism. Jingye Temple was first built in the Sui Dynasty, over 1,400 years ago. The temple is simple, quiet, and elegant, and there are also many cats. It is especially suitable for family hiking, as it is not difficult, not strenuous, and has a pleasant environment. Who wouldn't like it?

#wecreate Jingye Temple (simplified Chinese: 净业寺; traditional Chinese: 淨業寺; pinyin: Jìngyè Sì) is a Buddhist temple located on the north slope of Zhongnan Mountains, in Chang'an District, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China. It is the cradle of Risshū. Sui dynasty Edit The temple was first established in 581, at the dawn of Sui dynasty (589–618).[1] Tang dynasty Edit In 624 in the 7th year of Wude period (618–626) in the Tang dynasty (618–907), master Daoxuan resided in the temple, where he taught Risshū and promulgated Buddhist doctrines. The temple was renamed "Baiquan Temple" (白泉寺).[1][3][2] In 665, during the reign of Emperor Gaozong (650–683), the emperor issued the decree building a stone ordination altar (戒坛). Jianzhen, a disciple of Risshū, led monks to go to Japan to deliver Risshū, he was the founder of Japanese Buddhism Risshū.[1] After the fall of the Tang dynasty, Jingye Temple fell into decline. Ming dynasty Edit The temple underwent three renovations in the Ming dynasty (1638–1644), respectively in the ruling of Emperor Yingzong (1437) by abbot Yunxiu (云秀) and in the 4th year of Tianshun period (1460) abbot Benquan (本泉) and in the 1st year of Longqing period (1567).[1] Qing dynasty Edit In 1681, in the 20th year of Kangxi period (1662–1722) of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), master Yan'an (严安) disseminated Buddhism in the temple.[1] In 1812, in the region of Jiaqing Emperor (1796–1820), abbot Jigui (际桂) renovated the temple.[1] In 1832, in the 12th year of Daoguang period (1821–1850), master Mingchuan (明川) renovated the temple again.[1] Republic of China Edit In 1921, master Zhihai (智海) came to Jingye Temple to preach Buddhism. People's Republic of China Edit After the establishment of the Communist State, Foxin (佛心) and Zhizhen (智真) successively served as abbot of the temple. In 1960, the temple had been a resurgence of interest in Buddhism, more than 50 monks lived in the temple. In 1966, Mao Zedong launched the Cultural Revolution, the temple was devastated by the Red Guards. Scriptures, historical documents, statues of Buddha, and other works of art were either removed, damaged or destroyed in the movement.[1] After the 3rd Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, according to the national policy of free religious belief, Jingye Temple was officially reopened to the public in 1983. That same year, it was designated as a National Key Buddhist Temple in Han Chinese Area.