A Pure Land of Haidai, A Temple Since the Glorious Age of Tang Dynasty, A Sainted Presence of Avalokitesvara, and An Ashram of Dhyana
About the Longxing Temple in Qingzhou

The Longxing Temple is located in the picturesque Yunmen-Tuoshan scenic area in Qingzhou, Shandong Province. Leaning against the Tuoshan Mountain and facing the Yunmen Mountain, it is surrounded by lush mountains, overlooking the 2,600-meter-long ridges in a naturally-formed shape of a back-lying Buddha. With more than 600 stone carved Buddha statues in the Northern Wei Dynasty in the Tuoshan Grottoes, it is a blessed place on earth and an ashram of holy mountains.

The Longxing Temple has been famed as "the Top Temple in the East" since ancient times. It can be dated back to the Period of Yuanjia Reign in the Southern Dynasties where Liu Shanming, the prefect of Beihai Prefecture gave his residence in charity to the temple. Later, it was named Nanyang Temple by Gao Wei, the last emperor of the Northern Qi Dynasty in the Fourth Year of Wuping Reign, renamed Changle Temple (or Daozang Temple) in the First Year of Kaihuang Reign of the Sui Dynasty, bestowed the name Dayun Temple in the Second Year of Tianshou Reign by the Empress Wu Zetian, and bestowed the name Longxing Temple in the Eighteenth Year of Kaiyuan Reign by the Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty. Beihai Prefect Li Yong, a literary giant, wrote the inscription "The Temple of Longxing" on the Daqi stone tablet. The temple was destroyed in the early Ming Dynasty but the stone tablet remains extant, which can be found in the Ou Garden. Throughout history, the Longxing Temple has had countless eminent monks with extensive influence of Buddhist studies, attracting a continuous stream of students and visitors. Master Daozang in the Sui Dynasty promoted the classics Mahayana Treatise with great wisdom and enlightenment, gaining widespread reputation and influence. The relic site of the Longxing Temple was discovered in 1996 and over 400 Buddha statues from the Northern Wei Dynasty to the Northern Song Dynasty were unearthed, which has been listed among China's 100 major archaeological discoveries in the 20th century. Hence the Qingzhou-centered Buddhist cultural area has been recognized by experts as the country's sixth Buddhist cultural area.

In 2006, the foundation of the Longxing Temple was relocated to the eastern foot of Tuoshan Mountain, and the restored temple covers a land area of over 100 mu, plus a total floor area of over 15,000 square meters. It comprises of the Temple Gate Hall, Maitreya Hall, Main Hall, Thousand Buddha Hall, Dayun Pavilion, Avalokitesvara Hall, Kṣitigarbha Hall, Patriarch Hall, Heavenly Mother Hall, Samghrma Hall, Dharma Protector Hall, Arhat Refectory, Chisong Courtyard, Longhua Hall, All-encompassing Hall, exhibition area of Jetavanavihāra Culture, Jiguang Tower Courtyard, memorial hall of Xia Jingshan, and Dragon-transforming Pool. The temple's architectural complex has a breathtaking view, with towering halls, richly ornamented corridors and pavilions, and luxuriant trees in a peaceful and picturesque scene.

The Longxing Temple is an ashram of Cintāmanicakra, a transformation body of Avalokitesvara, the Goddess of Great Mercy, promoting the integration and harmony philosophy of the Huayan Sect, and advocating the practice of universal wisdom and the continuation of Buddha's destiny. It carries forward the Zen cultivation and Buddhist teaching, and strictly follows the Buddhist discipline; it originates from the Caoxi Sect and is based on the Xianshou (Huayan) Sect; it applies the accomplishment methods of Samatha and epiphany; it prioritizes the ultimate reality of Dharmadhatu in pursuit of integration and harmony. Practitioners are required to study the Samantabhadra for Goods of the Avatamsaka Sutra, comprehend the Verse for Repentance of the Avatamsaka Sutra, listen to the Commentary on the Avatamsaka Sutra of Generous Buddha, and spread the essence of the Avatamsaka Sutra of Generous Buddha. For purposes to "purify heart and mind, believe in and practice", this school of Buddhism combines the Dhyana doctrine and life practice, stresses the philosophy of Buddha in mind, and aims to turn perception into wisdom for final nirvana. Each day, the morning bells and evening drums of the temple are echoed with chants of sutras and Buddha's teachings, and the endless Sanskrit sounds in exuberant incense. Kind-hearted pilgrims from all over the world come to the temple to pray devoutly for auspicious blessings, honoring the country and benefiting the people.

This one-thousand-year-old temple is a pure land of Haidai, a royal temple since the glorious age of the Tang Dynasty, a sainted presence of Avalokitesvara and an ashram of Dhyana. Blessed by all Buddhas and Buddhisattvas in ten directions, safeguarded by the Dharma protectors of Astasena, and supported by all righteous people, the Longxing Temple will remain true to its original aspiration to sprinkle the dew of love to nurture all humanity. In addition, the temple will carry forward the spirit of patriotism and love for religion, and further promote Buddhism with Chinese characteristics.