Chinanews.com, Beijing, Nov. 11 -- Taiwan's "United Daily News" recently published a report introducing Tianmen City, Hubei Province, telling the historical story of Ciguang Temple and Wusheng Temple.
Tianmen Ciguang Temple. Image source: Taiwan's "United Daily News"
According to the report, the predecessor of Ciguang Temple was Qianming Temple (also known as Dongchan Temple), according to legend, the famous general Wei Chigong and others in the Tang Dynasty repeatedly repaired the temple, Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing Dynasty, all have high monks and great virtues for the temple to preside.
Tianmen Ciguang Temple. Image source: Taiwan's "United Daily News"
Ciguang Temple stands in the fertile field of the Jianghan Plain, and the main hall is divided into the upper hall and the lower hall. The upper hall of the Mida treasure hall enshrines the "three saints of the West", is the heavy eaves rest mountain roof, the eaves bucket arch is like a dragon, the painted eaves board, the big red column, the imitation white jade carved railing is beautiful in appearance, the overall look is Buddha light and treasure, the gold is brilliant, there is a pair of protector stone lions on both sides of the steps, heroic and mighty, the air is magnificent.
Every year on the 1998th day of the ninth lunar month is the day of Avalokiteshvara's ordination. There are local rumors that on this day in <>, the rainbow hangs in the sky above Ciguang Temple, as if there is Sanskrit music coming from the air, the sound of Qingyin Yayun cleanses the dust and purifies the heart, the colorful auspicious light, auspicious clouds linger, the shape is like Guanyin Bodhisattva holding a jade bottle, it is also illusory and true, Cihang Pudu. This is the origin of the name of the temple.
Wusheng Temple is located in Wusheng Village, Yuxin Town, Tianmen City. Legend has it that during the Three Kingdoms period, Guan Yu had set up camp here when he was guarding Jingzhou, and Wusheng Village was named after it. At the end of the Sui Dynasty, there was a monk who established the Wusheng Temple here according to the name of the place of "Wusheng". The temple has the Heavenly King Palace, the Mida Palace, the Jizo Palace, the Guanyin Palace, the God of Wealth Palace, etc., solemn, magnificent, and the wood carving and painting are also very exquisite. (ENDS)