| Miyin Temple | |
|---|---|
密印寺 | |
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Buddhism |
| Sect | Chan -Weiyang school |
| Location | |
| Location | Weishan Township,Ningxiang,Hunan |
| Country | China |
  Shown within Hunan Show map of Hunan Miyin Temple (China) Show map of China | |
| Coordinates | 28°10′36″N111°58′16″E / 28.17667°N 111.97111°E /28.17667; 111.97111 |
| Architecture | |
| Founder | Weishan Lingyou |
| Completed | 807 |
Miyin Temple (Chinese:密印寺;pinyin:Mìyìn Sì) is aBuddhist temple located inWeishan Township,Ningxiang,Hunan, China.[1] The temple is built within grounds of some 9,000 square metres (97,000 sq ft).[2] The Chinese Buddhist monkWeishan Lingyou of theTang dynasty (618–907) founded Miyin Temple onMount Wei [zh] and started theWeiyang school of Buddhism making Mount Wei an important religious sacred site in China's feudalist era.
In 813, in the eighth year of the age of Yuanhe ofEmperor Xianzong, the traveler who named Liu Qian (刘潜) came to Ningxiang,Hunan Province. He saw the Wei Mountain's steep cliffs, lofty peaks, roaring waterfalls, gurgling springs, towering trees and fragrant flowers, and Wei Mountain has seven hills like theBig Dipper. After the tour, Liu Qian came to Baizhang Mountain (百丈山) inJiangxi and told his friendBaizhang Huaihai about the natural landscape he had seen. He told Huaihai that there would be a good place to build temples. Huaihai followed Liuqian's advice, he commanded his discipleWeishan Lingyou to go there, build temples and advertise Folk Buddhism. On August 15 in the Chinese lunar calendar, Lingyou came to Wei Mountain. He built a hut to live in. In 807, in the second year of the age of Yuanhe of Emperor Xianzong, Da'an (大安禅师) and Lingyou builtYingchan Temple (应禅寺). They then renamed itSanta Temple (三塔寺).[3]
In 845, after theGreat Anti-Buddhist Persecution, Lingyou disbanded the monastery, and lived a self-cultivation for food life. At that time, the prime ministerPei Xiu had retreated and worked in Hunan for Jingzhou Provincial Governor. He was Lingyou's friend. He sent Lingyou a copy of theChinese Buddhist canon.[2]
In 849,Emperor Xuanzong renamed the templeMiyin Temple (密印禅寺). At that time, the prime minister Pei Xiu builtMiyin Temple, and his second son Pei Wende (裴文德) replaced the crown prince as a monk. Lingyou gave him a Buddhist nameFahai (法海). He was a monk in the most famous Chinese tale theLegend of the White Snake.[2]
When Lingyou came to Yang Mountain,Yichun,Jiangxi, he found a new form of Buddhism:Guiyang school.[4]
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In 1104, in the third year of the age of Chongning ofEmperor Huizong, Miyin Temple was destroyed by fire. Monk Kongyin (空印禅师) rebuilt it.[2]
In 1370, in the third year of the age of Hongwu ofHongwu Emperor, Miyin Temple was destroyed by fire, Chedang (彻当禅师) rebuilt the Multi-Buddha Hall (万佛殿).[2]
In 1619, in the forty-seventh year of the age of Wanli ofWanli Emperor, Miyin Temple was destroyed by fire.[2]
In 1655, in the twelfth year of the age of Shunzhi ofShunzhi Emperor, Huishan Chaohai (慧山超海) rebuilt Miyin Temple and changed the religious format to theRinzai school.[2]
In 1918, Miyin Temple was destroyed by fire, the arsonist was Zhang Sanyuan (张三元).[2]
In 1922, monk Yongguang (永光禅师) recovered theGuiyang school of Buddhism at this temple. He invited some Eminent monks to advertise Folk Buddhism.[2]
In 1933, a monk named Bao (僧宝) raised donations and rebuilt Miyin Temple.[2]
In 1966, during theCultural Revolution, Miyin Temple was knocked down by theRed Guards.[2]
In 1972, Miyin Temple was listed as a provincial culture and relics site.[2]
In September 2005, Hunan Buddhist Association, the People's Government of Ningxiang and Miyin Temple hosted "The International Buddhist Culture Festival".[5]
