“Temple of the Third Patriarch” echoes in the wind. Sanzu Temple stands before us. It is a testament to resilience and the enduring spirit of Chan Buddhism.
Let’s delve into the story of this sacred place. Sanzu Temple’s history stretches back over 1550 years. Monk Baozhi founded it in 505 during the Liang Dynasty. It was initially named Bodhi Temple. Emperor Wu of Liang renamed it Shangu Temple in 536.
The temple’s story is one of constant rebirth. War and natural disasters led to its destruction and reconstruction many times. The version we see today was completed in 1944.
After Yang Jian ascended the throne, Emperor Wen of the Sui dynasty rebuilt temples. Sengcan the Third Patriarch settled here in 590. He taught Chan Buddhism for years. Sanzu Temple became a center for spiritual learning.
Li Chang a local official built a stupa in 745 to preserve Master Sengcan’s remains. Emperor Suzong renamed it Sanzu Shangu Ganyuan Chan Temple in 758. Emperor Daizong honored the Buddhist stupa Jueji Stupa in 772.
Emperor Wuzong a staunch Taoist damaged Sanzu Temple badly during the Great Anti-Buddhist Persecution. Emperor Xuanzong restored it in 847.
Empress Dowager gave a sacred tooth relic to the temple in 1028 and donated property. This helped to establish the Zishou Pagoda.
During the Yuan dynasty Sanzu Temple declined and disappeared. Abbot Puju renovated and restored the temple in 1425 during the Ming dynasty. Local official Pan Jian spent a large sum constructing the temple. The temple gradually fell into ruin due to civil war.
During the Qing dynasty abbots Poyin and Zhihai restored the temple. The Taiping Rebellion devastated it in 1860.
Abbot Yuehai supervised the reconstruction of Sanzu Temple in 1944.
The State Council of China designated the temple as a National Key Buddhist Temple in 1983.
Now Shanmen Heavenly Kings Hall Mahavira Hall Thousand Buddha Hall Hall of Guru and Jueji Stupa stand here.
Maitreya is enshrined in the Hall of Four Heavenly Kings. Statues of Four Heavenly Kings are enshrined in the left and right side of the hall.
Abbot Yuehai built the Mahavira Hall in 1944. The statue of Sakyamuni with Ananda and Kasyapa Buddha are enshrined in the center of the hall. The statues of Guanyin Sudhana and Longnu are placed at the back of the hall.
The Thousand Buddha Hall enshrines a wood carving statue of Vairocana. One thousand miniature Buddha statues are inlaid in the alcoves.
The Hall of Guru houses statues of Bodhidharma Dazu Huike and Sengcan. A bronze statue of Baozhi is at the back.
The Jueji Stupa also known as Sanzu Stupa was originally constructed in 745 in the Tang dynasty. The Red Guards completely destroyed it in the Cultural Revolution.
Sanzu Temple embodies the ebb and flow of history. It showcases the dedication to Buddhist principles. Its architecture reflects the passage of time. Take a moment to appreciate the serenity and spiritual significance of Sanzu Temple.