| Xilin Chan Temple | |
|---|---|
西林禅寺 | |
 Theshanmen of Xilin Chan Temple. | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Buddhism |
| Sect | Chan Buddhism |
| Leadership | Shi Wuduan (释悟端) |
| Location | |
| Location | Yueyang Subdistrict,Songjiang District,Shanghai |
| Country | China |
  Shown within Shanghai | |
| Coordinates | 31°00′48″N121°13′50″E / 31.013238°N 121.230675°E /31.013238; 121.230675 |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Chinese architecture |
| Founder | Hu Zengchu (胡曾初) |
| Established | 872 |
| Completed | 1986–2003 (reconstruction) |
Xilin Chan Temple (simplified Chinese:西林禅寺;traditional Chinese:西林禪寺;pinyin:Xilin Chan Sì) is aBuddhist temple located in Yueyang Subdistrict,Songjiang District ofShanghai.[1] The modern temple was built between 1986 and 2003.
The temple traces its origins to the former "XilinVihara" (西林精舍), founded by Hu Zengchu (胡曾初) in 872, in the ruling ofYizong Emperor of theTang dynasty (618–907).[2] Originally known as "Jiedai Temple" (接待院; 'Reception Temple') in theSouthern Song dynasty (1127–1279), and later renamed "Ting'en Temple" (廷恩寺) and "Chong'en Temple" (崇恩寺),Yingzong Emperor ofMing dynasty (1368–1644) inscribed and honored the name "Xilin Chan Temple of Great Ming" in the mid-15th century.[3] The temple was destroyed by fire during theMongolian invasion of the 13th century, and was restored and reconstructed in 1387, at the dawn of Ming dynasty.[3]
The temple became dilapidated for neglect during theRepublic of China (1912–1949).[3] It was devastated by theRed Guards during the ten-yearCultural Revolution.[3] After the3rd Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, according to the national policy of free religious belief, Xilin Chan Temple was officially reopened to the public.[3] In 1992, abbot Shi Xingxiu (释性修) supervised the reconstruction of Kunlu Hall andMahavira Hall.[3]
Along the central axis of the temple stand four buildings including theShanmen,Mahavira Hall, Yuanying Pagoda (圆应塔) and Kunlu Hall (昆卢殿), which were completed between 1986 and 2003.
Octahedral in shape, it has seven stories with the height of 46.5-metre (153 ft). It is made of brick and stone. TheSong dynasty (960–1279) Chinese pagoda was built in memory ofChan master Yuanying (圆应).
