| Guangjiao Temple | |
|---|---|
广教寺 | |
 Guangjiao Temple | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Buddhism |
| Leadership | Shi Juncai (释俊才) |
| Location | |
| Location | Nantong,Jiangsu |
| Country | China |
  Shown within Jiangsu Show map of Jiangsu Guangjiao Temple (Nantong) (China) Show map of China | |
| Coordinates | 31°57′17″N120°53′44″E / 31.954663°N 120.895449°E /31.954663; 120.895449 |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Chinese architecture |
| Founder | Sengjia (僧伽) |
| Established | 669 |
Guangjiao Temple (simplified Chinese:广教寺;traditional Chinese:廣教寺;pinyin:Guǎngjiào Sì) is aBuddhist temple located on the top of Mount Lang (狼山; 'Wolf Mountain'), inNantong,Jiangsu,China. The temple is dedicated to theBodhisattvaDashizhi.[1]
Guangjiao Temple was first built by Sengjia (僧伽) in 669, under theTang dynasty (618–907). At that time, it initially called "Cihang Temple" (慈航院) The name was changed into "Guangjiao Temple" in 958, during theFive Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907–960). During the Taiping Xingguo period (976–983) of theSong dynasty (960–1279), Zhihuan (智幻) settled at Guangjiao Temple, where he disseminated Buddhism.[2]
After the 3rd Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party in 1980, local government restored and redecorated the temple. Guangjiao Temple has been classified as aNational Key Buddhist Temple in Han Chinese Area by theState Council of China in 1983.
The existing main buildings include the Yuantong-dian, Dafo-dian,Dabei-dian,Tianwang-dian,Zangjing-ge, abbot's room, monk's dwellings and a pagoda named "Zhiyuan" (支云塔).
The Yuantong-dian ("Yuantong Hall") enshrines statues of the Three Sages of the West (西方三圣), namelyAmituofo,Guanyin andDashizhi.[2]
The Dafo-dian ("Great Buddha Hall") is three rooms wide and three rooms deep. It still preserves the architectural style of theMing dynasty (1368–1644). A statue ofShijiamouni is enshrined in the middle of the hall. Inner walls are painted with frescos.[2]
The Zhiyun Pagoda was first built between 976 and 984 in theSong dynasty (960–1279). The 35-metre (115 ft) pagoda has the brick and wood structure with five stories and four sides. Curved bars and cornices are set on each story, which are magnificent and become the symbol of Guangjiao Temple.[2]