Lingguang Temple | |
Native Name: | 灵光寺 |
Native Name Lang: | zh-Hans |
Map Type: | China Guangdong |
Coordinates: | 24.4027°N 116.4016°W |
Religious Affiliation: | Buddhism |
Deity: | Chan Buddhism |
Festivals: | --> |
Location: | Meixian District, Meizhou, Guangdong |
Country: | China |
Architecture Style: | Chinese architecture |
Founded By: | Pan Liaoquan |
Established: | 860 - 874 |
Year Completed: | 1385 (reconstruction) |
Date Destroyed: | --> |
Materials: | Brick and wood |
Lingguang Temple is a Buddhist temple located in Meixian District of Meizhou, Guangdong, China.[1]
The temple traces its origins to the former "Shengshou Temple", founded by master Pan Liaoquan in the Xiantong period (860 - 874) of the Tang dynasty (618 - 907), and would later become "Lingguang Temple" in 1385 during the reign of Hongwu Emperor (1368 - 1398) at the dawn of Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644).[2]
The complex include the following halls: Mahavira Hall, Hall of Four Heavenly Kings (Shanmen), Zhutian Hall, Bell tower, Drum tower, Hall of Guru, Dharma Hall, Meditation Hall, Dining Room, etc.
Maitreya is enshrined in the Hall of Four Heavenly Kings and at the back of his statue is a statue of Skanda. Statues of Four Heavenly Kings are enshrined in the left and right sides.
The Mahavira Hall is 14.52m (47.64feet) wide and 14.75m (48.39feet) deep with the architectural style of the Tang dynasty. Statue of Pan Liaoquan is enshrined in front of the hall. In the middle are statues of Thousand Armed and Eyed Guanyin, Ksitigarbha and Mulian. Statue of Guanyin is placed at the back of the hall.
The Zhutian Hall enshrining the Twenty-four Heavenlies
The Bell tower houses a bronze bell which was cast in 1485, in the reign of Chenghua Emperor of the Ming dynasty weighing 1000kg (2,000lb). It is 1.8m (05.9feet) high and its bore is 1.5m (04.9feet). A Chinese couple are carved in the outside.