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| Fayu Temple | |
|---|---|
法雨禅寺 | |
 Entrance of Fayu Temple. | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Buddhism |
| Sect | Chan Buddhism |
| Location | |
| Location | Mount Putuo,Zhejiang |
| Country | China |
  Shown within Zhejiang | |
| Geographic coordinates | 30°0′9.8″N122°23′55.9″E / 30.002722°N 122.398861°E /30.002722; 122.398861 |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Chinese architecture |
| Founder | Dzhi Zhenrong (大智真融) |
| Date established | 1580 |
| Completed | 1699 (reconstruction) |
Fayu Temple (simplified Chinese:法雨禅寺;traditional Chinese:法雨禪寺;pinyin:Fǎyǔ chánsì), also calledStone Temple, is one of three major temples inMount Putuo,Zhejiang, China.[1] Its grand hall was rebuilt in 1699 during theQing dynasty (1644–1911).
Fayu Temple is the second largest temple inMount Putuo, and a national key Buddhist temple designated by the State Council. In 1580 during theMing dynasty (1368–1644), a monk of Macheng, named Dazhi Zhenrong (大智真融), came from westernSichuan to Mount Putuo for training. He was attracted by the local scenery and built a small sanctuary named "Ocean Tide", meaning "Buddhist Ocean Guanyin". In 1594, the governor Wu Anguo renamed it "Ocean Tide Temple" (海潮庵). It was destroyed by fire in 1598. In 1605, it was renovated and expanded. In the following year, the central government granted a plaque "National Defense Ocean Pacifying Temple" (护国镇海禅寺), as well as an inscription called "Dragon Treasure". It suffered through several wars and fire.
In 1687 during theQing dynasty (1644–1911), the temple was refurbished and expanded again. In 1699, theKangxi Emperor granted a plaque "Heavenly Flowers Dharma Rain" (天华法雨). Thus, it changed to "Dharma Rain Temple", or "Fayu Temple". In 1731, theYongzheng Emperor ordered a large-scale renovation project. Thereafter, it became a famous temple in southeast China.
In 2006, the temple was added to the list ofNational priority protected sites as part of the6th Batch of National Priority protected sites [zh].[2]
Aligned on the central axis are theHall of Four Heavenly Kings,Bell tower, Hall of Jade Buddha,Hall of Guanyin, Hall of Imperial Tablet,Mahavira Hall,Buddhist Texts Library, and the Hall of Abbot.[1]
The temple has a land area of 33,000 square metres (360,000 sq ft). It comprises 294 halls and rooms, with a building area of 9,300 square metres (100,000 sq ft). Along the trend of the mountain from lower to higher are Heavenly Kings Hall, Jade Buddhist Hall, Nine-Dragon Guanyin Hall, Emperor Tablet Hall, Great Grand Hall, and Fangzhang Hall.
The front door of the temple is not located along the axial line, but on the southeast corner. It is a double-eaved square pavilion, different from average front doors of Buddhist temple. The front plaque reads "Heavenly Flowers Colorful Rain", written in gold on blue ground. Inside the door, to the west is the shadowy wall. It was originally a three-dragon wall carved on bricks, with Buddhist words meaning "unbelievable power". Unfortunately, the wall was pulled down during theCultural Revolution. In 1987, on the site erected aNine-Dragon Wall. Built of pale stones, it is 12 metres (39 ft) wide, 9 metres (30 ft) high and 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) thick.
TheHall of Guanyin is also called "Nine Dragon Hall", in which the nine dragon wall is bluestone embossed with exquisite craftsmanship and life-likeChinese dragons. The entire piece came from the nine dragon palace in theForbidden City inBeijing during theMing dynasty (1368–1644). The Hall of Guanyin ranks in the highest architectural status of Buddhist temples. It is acclaimed as one of three treasures inMount Putuo. Statue ofGuanyin is enshrined in the center withEighteen Arhats lining up on both sides.[1]
