Jindizang Temple in Jiuhua Mountain, Chizhou

Jindizang Temple (金地藏塔), also referred to as the Temple of Golden Ksitigarbha or the Temple of the Bodhisattva's Remains, is located in the Jiuhua Mountain Scenic Area (九华山风景区) in Qingyang County, Chizhou City, Anhui Province, China. This ancient and revered temple is a sacred site dedicated to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (地藏菩萨), also known as Dizang, the guardian of the underworld and the savior of beings in hell. Jiuhua Mountain is one of China’s four sacred Buddhist mountains, and the temple stands as one of the most significant sites in the Chinese Buddhist tradition.

Historical Significance

Early Beginnings: The Legend of Jin Qiaojue

The origin of the temple dates back to the Tang Dynasty (唐代), specifically 794 CE, when the highly revered monk Jin Qiaojue (金乔觉), a member of the royal family of the Silla Kingdom (新罗), passed away at the age of 99 after meditating on Jiuhua Mountain for 75 years. According to legend, upon his death, the mountain itself responded with extraordinary phenomena—the ground trembled, birds cried out, and fire erupted from the earth. His body remained incorrupt for three years, a divine sign interpreted by the monks as a manifestation of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. As a result, Jin Qiaojue’s remains were enshrined in a stone tower, which became known as the Golden Ksitigarbha Tower (金地藏塔).

The Development of the Temple

• Tang Dynasty: The Golden Ksitigarbha Tower was initially a simple three-tiered stone pagoda built to house Jin Qiaojue's remains. This marked the beginning of the temple as a major site for worshiping Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

• Song Dynasty: During the Song Dynasty, the temple complex expanded to include additional halls and pavilions, establishing it as an important Buddhist site in southern China.

• Ming Dynasty: In the early Ming period, additional structures such as the Yuxiang Pavilion (玉香亭) and Shiguang Tower (神光楼) were added around the temple. These structures symbolized the growing reverence and importance of Jiuhua Mountain.

• Qing Dynasty: The temple underwent significant renovations and expansion under Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong. The Golden Ksitigarbha Tower was renovated multiple times, and several new halls were constructed. The temple complex also grew into a larger spiritual center during this period.

Architectural Layout of Jindizang Temple

Jindizang Temple is a palatial wooden structure located on Jiuhua Mountain at an elevation of over 700 meters. Its unique architectural style combines traditional Chinese palace architecture with Buddhist symbolism, making it one of the most aesthetically significant religious sites in China.

Temple Structure and Design

The main hall of the temple covers an area of 680.13 square meters and features several notable architectural elements:

• Main Hall: The hall has a two-layer flying eaves roof, a hipped roof, and iron tiles. It is constructed using traditional wooden beams and features ornate carvings and intricate Buddhist motifs.

• Seven-Story Wooden Pagoda: At the heart of the temple is a seven-story wooden pagoda, each floor of which houses a Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva statue. This unique pagoda is eight-sided, with 56 statues of Ksitigarbha, symbolizing the Bodhisattva’s universal compassion.

• Marble Foundation: The pagoda sits on a square foundation made of white marble, adding to the temple’s visual grandeur.

Key Features of the Temple:

1. The Bodhisattva's Remains: Jin Qiaojue's remains are housed in a stone tower, which is located within the main hall. This is considered the most sacred part of the temple, and pilgrims from all over the world come to pay homage.

2. The Pavilion and Surrounding Structures: The temple complex includes several smaller structures, including pavilions, prayer halls, and stone pillars inscribed with Buddhist scriptures. These contribute to the temple's atmosphere of peace and reverence.

Cultural and Religious Importance

Jindizang Temple plays a crucial role in Chinese Buddhist culture and serves as a spiritual center for followers of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. It is particularly important as a site for both pilgrimages and ritual ceremonies. Pilgrims come to Jiuhua Mountain to pay respects to Ksitigarbha, who is believed to help alleviate suffering in the underworld and guide souls to enlightenment.

Religious Ceremonies and Festivals

• Ksitigarbha’s Birthday (地藏菩萨圣诞): The birthday of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is celebrated annually in the 7th lunar month, around July 30th. The festival lasts for several days, during which Buddhist monks and pilgrims perform various religious rites, including chanting the Ksitigarbha Sutra.

• Ksitigarbha Dharma Assembly (地藏法会): Held from July 30th to August 6th, this is one of the most important religious events at Jiuhua Mountain. Monks lead devotees in reciting scriptures, offering prayers, and making offerings to the Bodhisattva for the wellbeing of all sentient beings.

Notable Cultural Relics

Jindizang Temple contains several priceless artifacts, including ancient stone inscriptions and carvings from the Ming Dynasty that document the history of the temple and its religious significance. Visitors can also find inscriptions dedicated to the Bodhisattva's vows, emphasizing his commitment to saving all souls.

Visitor Information

Opening Hours

• Daily from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM. After 6:00 PM, visitors are allowed to exit, but not to enter.

Location

• The temple is located in the Jiuhua Mountain Scenic Area, Qingyang County, Chizhou City, Anhui Province, China.

How to Get There

1. By Car: Visitors can drive to the Jiuhua Mountain Scenic Area via the G3 Beijing-Taiwan Expressway and then follow 318 National Road to reach the area.

2. By Train: Trains to Chizhou Railway Station, Tongling North Railway Station, or Hefei Railway Station are available. From there, buses or taxis can be taken to Jiuhua Mountain.

3. By Bus: Buses from Hefei, Chizhou, and Qingyang bus stations provide direct transportation to the scenic area.

Preservation and Recognition

Jindizang Temple has been recognized as a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Site and has received various honors:

• National Key Buddhist Temple: In 1981, the temple was designated as a National Key Buddhist Temple by the Chinese government.

• Cultural Heritage Protection: In 2013, Jindizang Temple was added to the National Key Cultural Relic Protection Site list by the State Council of China.

Architectural Features

Main Building: The Bodhisattva’s Remains Hall

The main hall of Jindizang Temple is an impressive palatial structure with flying eaves and a hipped roof. The hall has a wooden pagoda at its center, with seven stories and 56 statues of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

The Exterior

The exterior of the temple features stone pillars, intricate carvings, and Buddhist statues, with a marble platform surrounding the main pagoda. The architectural style blends ancient Chinese craftsmanship with Buddhist symbolism, making it a unique and powerful structure in Chinese religious architecture.

Jindizang Temple, with its historical, spiritual, and architectural significance, stands as one of the most important Buddhist sites in China. It is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, the Buddhist philosophy of compassion, and the architectural splendor of ancient China. Whether as a place for spiritual devotion or cultural exploration, Jiuhua Mountain's Jindizang Temple offers a deep connection to the Buddhist tradition and Chinese cultural history.