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Longxing Temple

Longxing Temple located in the county town of Zhengding, Hebei Province, it is one of the big monasteries, which date quite early and are still intact in China. Now it is placed on the list of the country’s major historical sites to be given special attention. Built in the 6th year of the reign of Kaihuang, the Sui Dynasty (586 A.D), the temple was originally named Longcang Temple (Temple of Sheltering the Dragon). In the tang Dynasty, it was renamed Longxing Temple (Temple of Dragon’s Prosperity). In the 4th year of the reign of Kaibao, the Song Dynasty (971 A.D), the temple was rebuilt by order of the emperor, Zhao Kuangyin, and a huge bronze statue of Avalokitesvara, 21.3 meters high, was cast and housed in it. In the Qing Dynasty, the temple was given its present name, Longxing Temple (Temple of Prosperity), after rebuilding and restoration.

Facing to the south, the temple consists of Hall of Deva Kings, Hall of Mahamuni, Altar of Vinaya (or Ordination Platform), Pavilion of the Great Mercy and Temple of Amitabha. Arranged in proper order from south to north, the buildings preserve a construction style of the Song Dynasty. In the Hall of Mahamuni, one can appreciate a colorful clay sculpture of Avalokitesvara as well as some painted frescos, all-dating from the Ming Dynasty. There are many tablets to the west of the Pavilion of Great Mercy. Among them, the Longcang Temple Tablet of the Sui Dynasty is one of the famous regular script tablets that are still extant.