Fazangshuo Temple

Fazangshuo Temple

Fazangshuo temple is the only Buddhist temple established in Shanghai in the 20th century to promote Tiantai Sect. In 1924, it was founded by master Xingci, the contemporary master of Tiantai Sect.

Historical evolution

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Dharmakara Temple is the only Buddhist Vihara in Shanghai that conducts primarily in carrying forward the doctrine of Tiantai School．The temple has served as one of the four major Buddhist temples in Shanghai since its establishment initiated by Master Xing Ci in 1924．

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Under the leadership of master Xingci, fazangshuo temple is known as "Shanghai Lingguang". It established a fazangshuo college in the temple and established the largest preaching hall at that time. It preached the religious meaning of Tiantai for a long time and became a famous temple in Shanghai. At that time, it was also known as "Shanghai four jungle" together with Yufo temple, Longhua temple and Jing'an Temple.

On September 16, 1990, the Shanghai Municipal People's Government approved the restoration of fazangshuo temple. On December 18, 1994, it was officially listed to resume legal activities. On December 12, 2000, the ceremony of the completion of the main hall and the opening of the Buddha statue was held in fazangshuo temple. On December 18, 2006, the ceremony of the completion of the Tianwang hall and the opening of the Buddha statue was solemnly held.

Temple features

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The six characteristics of fazangshuo temple are as follows

When you enter the fazangshuo temple, you can feel six different things from other temples

Firstly, it is the only temple in Shanghai to carry forward Tiantai Sect; secondly, it is the founder of the temple, the legendary master Xingci; thirdly, it is a unique tower style architecture; fourthly, it is a collection of Buddhist statues, such as Dharma, Baoshen and Yingshen; fifthly, it is a combination of Chinese and Western architectural styles; sixthly, it is a combination of couplets and calligraphy The stone carvings of couplets with contemporary eminent monks are all well preserved.

The temple building is a traditional Chinese building in general, but many western architectural elements are integrated in some parts and details, such as the side Mountain Gate, the window frame of the facade, the eaves column of the main building, etc., which is very harmonious with the surrounding Shikumen buildings.

Sectarian characteristics

SECTARIAN CHARACTERISTICS

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Tiantai Sect: in the Six Dynasties of China, master Zhiyi (also known as master sophist) was founded in Tiantai Mountain of Zhejiang Province. His doctrine is mainly based on the Lotus Sutra of miaofera, so it is also called fahuazong. It is the earliest sect in the history of Chinese Buddhism. The eminent monks and scholars of this sect often advocate the pure land at the same time, forming the wind of "teaching the heaven and returning to the pure land". The sect attached great importance to the preaching of scriptures and the study of doctrines. Therefore, the Dharma hall in the temple has a very important position. Fazangshuo Temple adheres to the tradition and pays attention to carrying forward the religious concept of "teaching and performing the Tiantai, promoting the pure land, purifying people's hearts and sharing the bliss".

the first person to do sth.

PEDIGREE　　———————————————————————————————————————————————

Master Xingci (1881-1950), a native of Xinchang, Zhejiang Province, has a common surname of Chen. There are three uncles, grandfather, mother, sister, father and master Xingci in the family. They have become monks (nuns) successively. This is unique in the history of Chinese Buddhism. At the age of 14, the master became a monk in zhongfangguang temple in Tiantai Mountain, and later inherited the Dharma pulse of master Congjing in Guoqing temple. He is famous for his study and mastery of the Dharma Sutra of Tiantai Sect. In 1924, fazangshuo temple was founded. After the victory of the Anti Japanese war in 1946, ciguang Tutorial school, Xingci middle school and ciguangshi clinic were set up in the temple to give medicine to the poor.

To be continued

Original entry:

Fazangshuo temple is located at 271 Ji'an Road, Luwan District. Fazangshuo temple is the only Buddhist temple established in Shanghai in the 20th century to promote Tiantai Sect. In 1924, it was initiated by master Xingci, the master of Tiantai Sect. With the sponsorship of Wang Yiting and others, it bought more than five mu of land on Ji'an road. After more than five years, it has completed this antique new temple building. It is also a large-scale "ten square jungle", later known as "Shanghai's four big jungles" together with Yufo temple, Longhua temple and Jing'an Temple.

As a "speaking Temple", fazangshuo temple's Dharma hall has a very important position, which can accommodate 600 people to listen to the Dharma. At that time, the purpose of fazang temple was to "teach and perform Tiantai, and return to the pure land". Master Xingci also set four Temple rules himself: 1. To be a forest of ten sages forever; 2. The succeeding Abbot should be able to "have both virtue and learning, and be proficient in practice and understanding"; 3. Fazang temple was divided into Jingye Hall (specializing in Buddha chanting) and Society (specializing in Tiantai Sect); 4. Except for Buddha chanting and releasing Mengshan, no other Buddhist activities were entertained . In addition to some precious cultural relics, there are also some sutras such as nanzang of Ming Dynasty, longzang of Qianlong of Qing Dynasty, pinjiada Sutra and xucangjing. The temple once organized the printing of a set of Pu Hui Da Zang Jing, which is also a great event worthy of recording in the history of Buddhism in Shanghai and the publishing history of Da Zang Jing. The stone couplets of Yu Youren, Zhang Taiyan, Li Liejun, Dixian, Wang Yiting, ye gongchuo and many other famous people in the Republic of China are still well preserved.

On September 6, 1990, the Shanghai Municipal People's Government approved the restoration of fazang temple.

Address: 271 Ji'an Road, Luwan District, Shanghai (near Fuxing Middle Road)

Longitude: 121.48149473965

Latitude: 31.217682157217

Tel: 021-63289986

Ticket information: market price: 5.0 yuan

Chinese PinYin : Fa Cang Jiang Si