Donglin Temple (东林寺), the birthplace of the Pure Land sect of Buddhism (also known as the Lotus Sect), is located on the western slopes of Mount Lu in Jiujiang, Jiangxi Province. Named for its location east of Xilin Temple, it is a prominent Buddhist site in Han Chinese regions and one of Jiangxi’s three major international Buddhist exchange centers.
Established in 384 AD by the renowned Eastern Jin monk Huiyuan, Donglin Temple became a major center of southern Chinese Buddhism and was one of the eight great Buddhist centers in China after the Sui Dynasty. Over the past millennium, the temple has undergone several reconstructions and restorations. It was known for its extensive collection of scriptures during the Tang Dynasty, fell into disrepair during the Song Dynasty, and was rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty. The Qing Dynasty saw two more restorations, though it suffered damage during the Xianfeng period and further destruction during the Cultural Revolution.
Today, Donglin Temple consists of two main sites: the original Donglin Temple and the Donglin Pure Land Garden (featuring the Great Buddha), creating a “one temple, two sites” configuration.
Donglin Temple has made significant contributions to cultural exchanges between China and India, Nepal, and Japan, and is renowned both domestically and internationally. It has been associated with notable figures such as Master Jianzhen, Emperor Taizong of Tang, Su Dongpo, Li Bai, and Wang Yangming. The temple houses numerous historical artifacts, including the fragmented “Restore Donglin Temple Stele” and the “Li Beihai Donglin Temple Stele,” which have had a lasting impact on Chinese traditional culture.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Original Donglin Temple
- Donglin Pure Land Garden
- Religious Activities at Donglin Temple
- Vlog about Donglin Temple
- Other Attractions in Mount Lu
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 – 17.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0792-8893186 0086-0792-8909035 |
Location and Transportation
Donglin Temple is located on the western foothills of Mount Lushan, along the southern bank of the Yangtze River, 16 kilometers north of Jiujiang City and 50 kilometers east of Guling Street on Mount Lushan. To reach the temple, take bus routes 61 or 62 and get off at Donglin Temple stop (东林寺站). From there, it’s a short walk to the temple.
Highlights of Original Donglin Temple
Main Hall (Mahavira Hall)
The Main Hall is the core of Donglin Temple, constructed between 1985 and 1989. Designed by ancient architecture experts from Nanjing Institute of Technology, it features Song Dynasty architectural style with traditional brackets, ridges, eaves, and green glazed tiles. Covering 1,100 square meters with a base height of 2 meters and a total height of 21 meters, the hall houses three principal Buddha statues: Shakyamuni Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, and Medicine Buddha. The back wall displays Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva with a thousand hands and eyes, and 32 transformation forms. Flanking statues of sixteen revered figures are also present. The hall’s front plaque is inscribed by Zhao Puchu, the president of the National Buddhist Association.
Sanxiao Hall
Located beside the Shenyun Hall, Sanxiao Hall was built in 1928 by Zen master Chan Jing. The hall faces a pond, which the monks refer to as the “Wooden Pond.” On the left outer wall, a poem by Kang Youwei and an inscription commemorating his first visit to the temple in 1889 are embedded. The right wall features a fragmentary stele with only ten remaining characters, discovered by monk Miaoli in Donglin Street’s soil. Adjacent to it is another broken stone with an inscribed long character in regular script and some cursive numbers, though the author remains unknown. Due to years of neglect, Sanxiao Hall was severely damaged until its renovation began in 1979.
Tang Dynasty Stele
Located in front of the Ksitigarbha Hall, this 3-meter tall stone stele features a beautifully crafted lotus decoration at the top. The stele is hexagonal and is intricately engraved with the “Dharani Sutra.” Created during the Yongchun period of Tang Gaozong’s reign (682 AD), it is over 1,300 years old. Exposure to the elements has eroded the text, making it difficult to decipher.
Smart Spring
Smart Spring, originally named Ancient Dragon Spring, is situated behind the Shenyun Hall amidst a grove of verdant bamboo. The spring is housed in a square pool measuring about one meter on each side, with a stone inscription reading “聪明泉” nearby. The spring earned its name from Yin Zhongkan, whose wisdom and erudition were highly regarded.
Legend has it that in the third year of the Yuanfeng era (1080), the renowned poet Huang Tingjian, who had been exiled twice, passed through this area on his way home. Upon encountering this clear spring behind the Sutra Pavilion, he drank directly from it with his hands and was instantly refreshed by its coolness. The invigorating experience inspired him to inscribe the characters “聪明泉” in appreciation.
Guardian Deity Sculptures
These Tang Dynasty stone sculptures depict stout and muscular figures. According to legend, a powerful monk who could perform the work of several people during the construction of the Shenyun Hall was highly esteemed by Hui Yuan, who named him the “Guardian Deity.” To honor this guardian, the monks of Donglin Temple commissioned these statues. They were buried for many years due to wars and were rediscovered by chance in 1975.
Donglin Pure Land Garden
Hall of Heavenly Kings
The Hall of Heavenly Kings complex covers nearly 500 square meters and includes the main hall, east and west auxiliary buildings, connecting corridors, an artificial mountain, Ashoka Pillar, and Jinshui Bridge. The top level features a plaque inscribed with “Donglin Temple Pure Land Garden” by Master Chuan Yin. The middle level has a plaque with “Hall of Heavenly Kings” written by the famous Song Dynasty scholar Su Shi. The hall is three stories high: the top floor serves as a library, the middle is still under planning, and the ground floor is the main hall. Raised over two meters above the plaza, the hall’s elevated position helps mitigate the dampness of Jiangnan’s climate and enhances its grandeur. The hall is flanked by three doors on both the front and rear, symbolizing the threefold liberation of “emptiness, no form, and no desires.”
Guangyan Pagoda
Located on the central axis between the Hall of Ultimate Bliss and the Great Hero Hall, Guangyan Pagoda is a prominent feature. Standing 23.75 meters tall and designed in Tang Dynasty style, it is a three-tiered square pagoda with a pavilion-style roof. Constructed from African mahogany and using traditional mortise and tenon joinery, the pagoda is both sturdy and elegant, reflecting classical architectural aesthetics.
Mahavira Hall
The Mahavira Hall is the most grand and imposing structure in Donglin Temple, situated at the end of the central axis. It occupies over 1,200 square meters and rises nearly 22 meters high, with its base elevated over two meters above the ground. This hall, designed in the Tang Dynasty style with layered eaves and a grand, expansive roof, stands out with its distinctive architectural features. The hall is the final and most majestic of the three main halls, with its elevated position allowing it to dominate the surrounding area. It provides panoramic views southward over the temple grounds and northward toward the mountain peak, with its flanking halls forming a harmonious embrace.
Donglin Giant Buddha
The Donglin Giant Buddha is the temple’s most iconic feature and the tallest Buddha statue in China and globally. Comprising a lotus base, the Buddha figure, and a canopy, the statue reaches a height of 48 meters, supported by a lotus pedestal with 48 petals symbolizing Amitabha Buddha’s 48 great vows for saving sentient beings. The total height of 81 meters, including the canopy, signifies the arduous path to enlightenment, reflecting the 81 difficulties encountered. Funded almost entirely by donations amounting to around 1 billion yuan, the statue incorporates 48 kilograms of gold to achieve its gilded appearance. The Donglin Giant Buddha represents the pinnacle of contemporary religious art and stands as a classic example of religious sculpture.
Religious Activities at Donglin Temple
Seven-Day Buddhist Retreat (Foqi Dharma Assembly): Held annually during the May Day holiday, Donglin Temple conducts an intensive Seven-Day Buddhist Retreat to cater to the needs of devotees from various regions who wish to engage in focused Buddhist practice.
Ulambana Festival (Yulanpen Dharma Assembly): Celebrated each year in the lunar seventh month, this festival is one of the most significant events in Chinese Buddhism. The fifteenth day of the seventh month is particularly noted as “Buddha’s Joyful Day.” This tradition dates back to ancient India, where monks would refrain from wandering during the summer monsoon season to focus on spiritual practice, known as “Qijia Anju.”
Day and Night Chanting: Donglin Temple holds a day and night chanting session once a month. According to the Chinese translation of the “Infinite Life Sutra,” those who maintain a pure heart, observe fasting, and continuously focus on the Pure Land of Infinite Life without interruption for a full day and night will attain rebirth in that realm.
The wintersweet is blooming at Donglin Temple, but there are really so many steps inside that my legs hurt from walking.
I personally feel that a visit to Lushan Mountain is incomplete without going to Donglin Temple. The atmosphere there is wonderful. I happened to attend the biannual Transcendence Conference and ended up chanting scriptures for three hours. Later, I discovered that Donglin Temple often hosts similar events, and many people come specifically for them.
On Sunday, the smog cleared up, and after taking the subway and bus for more than two hours from the Pudong New Area. I finally arrived. It was indeed spectacular, and seeing it in person was even more shocking. The entrance ticket cost 30 yuan, and an hour was sufficient to enjoy the visit.