Atop Mount Emei’s Golden Summit stands Huazang Temple. Its story is one of resilience and rebirth. Originally built in the Eastern Han Dynasty as Puguang Temple it later became Guangxiang Temple. The name changed again. It eventually became the Huazang Temple we know today.
Imagine the temple’s grandeur in its early days. Then picture the devastation. Both the Bronze Hall and Huazang Temple were destroyed by fire. One fire occurred during the Cultural Revolution. A power generator malfunction sparked the blaze. The flames consumed the temple in two days. Countless relics were lost. Only a bronze monument and a bronze doorway from the Ming dynasty survived. A bronze statue from the Qing dynasty also remained.
The current Huazang Temple is a testament to renewal. It was rebuilt as part of the Jinding Revival and Renovation Plan. Three halls stand on the hillside. They are arranged along a central axis from low to high.
The first is the Maitreya Hall. A golden plaque inscribed by Mr Zhao Puchu adorns the gate. Inside sits a bronze Maitreya Buddha. A bronze Wei Tuo statue stands behind it. Ancient artifacts like a three-legged bronze tripod and a Ming dynasty stele are also preserved here.
Next is the Daxiong Hall. A three-meter-high three-body Buddha statue dominates this hall. Bronze pans bronze bells and bronze statues of Samantabhadra are among the treasures kept within.
Finally there’s the Puxian Hall. This is also known as the Golden Hall or Golden Dome. It’s the highest hall on Mount Emei. Plaques with inscriptions like Golden Top and Puxian Wish the Sea decorate its gate. A magnificent 4.5-meter-high bronze statue of Samantabhadra riding an elephant is enshrined here. He sits on a lotus platform holding a Ruyi. Copper tripods and other artifacts also fill the hall.
Huazang Temple’s journey through destruction and rebuilding makes it more than just a temple. It is a symbol of enduring faith and cultural preservation on the heights of Mount Emei. It stands as a testament to the spirit of resilience. A must-see for those seeking spiritual insight and historical wonder.