Fayu Temple

This is the second largest temple on the island (Puji Temple is the largest). This temple is famous for its ancient architecture, delicate wood carvings and inscribed calligraphy by ancient emperors. It is located on the left top of the Baihua hill, close to 1000-pace Beach. You can go there with the cableway or walk up the hill.

Its history reportedly goes back to 1580, during the Ming Dynasty. As a monk, Da Chi, prayed to Guanyin at the Cave of Tidal Sound, he envisioned that a large bamboo had washed ashore on the 1000-pace Beach. Soon afterward, he built a hut on the beach and named it the 'Sea Tide Nunnery' (Haichao Nunnery). Many faithful adherents contributed to expanding the modest temple through the years. In 1699, Emperor Kangxi of the Qing-dynasty decreed that the deserted imperial palace in what is now Nanjing had to be moved to Putuoshan to enshrine Guanyin. The main hall was added and Emperor Kangxi bestowed a horizontal tablet inscribed with four characters of "Tian Hua Fa Yu", which has been interpreted to mean that the Buddhist doctrines are like rain and flowers from heaven. Thence, the Fayu Temple got its name.

There are now 294 halls and rooms, occupying a floor space of 8800 square meters. The whole temple is arranged on a six-layer mound which starts ascending from the temple gate. A miniature golden pagoda stands between the Nine-dragon wall and the first of the temple's several halls, where visitors can toss coins through five tiers of windows for good luck. The main hall is called Jiulongdian and was built during the Qing dynasty. The ceiling is concave and in the middle of it are 9 dragons hanging, playing with a pearl of gold. There is also a statue of Thousand Armed, Thousand Eyed Guanyin and in the back of the hall there is a great piece of art called Haidao Guanyin. It's a painted sculpture of Guanyin surrounded by 53 important Buddhist figures.

The famous nine-dragon wall (Jiulongbi) from Putuoshan is located in the Fayu temple. It is 12.5 meter long and 2 meter high, built with 60 blocks of black stones which are all 70cm². They are pieced together so you see one giant stone. The nine dragon screen is cut and cavred out of good quality blue stone. On the wall you see 9 dragons who are trying to grab a pearl. Between upper pillars and lower pillars there are 17 dragons carved in quite different shape and form.

For information or reservation call or send an e-mail to Chen Zhongyu ((0580)6091227) in Putuoshan.

This page is made by Anthony Debyser. For comment on this page send an e-mail to adebyser@hotmail.com