Guangxiao Temple (光孝寺) is one of the famous ancient architectural complexes in Guangdong Province. According to the Chronicle of Guangxiao Temple, it was originally the residence of Zhao Jiande, the king of Nanyue, dating back to the 2nd century BC. During the Three Kingdoms period, the temple became a garden known as Yuyuan, where Yu Fan, a notable figure of the Wu Kingdom, was exiled.
After Yu Fan’s death, his family converted the residence into a temple. The temple has undergone several name changes over the years: it was initially called Zhizhi Temple, then Wuyuan Temple in 401 AD during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Qianming Faxing Temple during the Tang Dynasty, Qianheng Temple during the Five Dynasties, Wanshou Zen Temple in the Northern Song Dynasty, and Baohen Guangxiao Temple in the Southern Song Dynasty.
The temple gained additional significance when the great monk Huineng, known as the Sixth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism, received his teachings under the Bodhi tree in front of the precepts platform in 676 AD, which established the Southern School of Buddhism.
Guangxiao Temple is renowned for its rigorous architectural structure and magnificent halls, boasting a wealth of cultural relics and historical significance. Notable features include the Mahavira Hall, built during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the Washing Bowl Spring excavated by Bodhidharma in the Southern Dynasties, the Hair Burial Pagoda and Stone Sutra Pillar from the Tang Dynasty, the Thousand Buddha Iron Pagoda from the Southern Han Dynasty, as well as the Sixth Patriarch Hall and Reclining Buddha Hall from the Song and Ming Dynasties. The temple is also home to various inscriptions, Buddhist statues, the Haritaki tree, and the Bodhi tree, all of which are precious artifacts of Buddhist heritage.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Guangxiao Temple
- Vlog about Guangxiao Temple
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | 5 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 8.30 – 16.30 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-020-81088867 |
Location and Transportation
Guangxiao Temple is located at 109 Guangxiao Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 56 or 58 and get off at No.1 Municipal Hospital Stop (市一医院站).
Metro: The closest metro station to Guangxiao Temple is Ximenkou (西门口) on line 1. After getting out of the station from Exit C, walk about 300 meters to the north to reach the attraction.
Highlights of Guangxiao Temple
Mahavira Hall
The Mahavira Hall features a stunning altar where the Three Saints of Huayan are enshrined. At the center stands a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, the world teacher, towering over 5 meters tall. He is depicted in a meditative pose, with his left hand resting on his left foot and his right hand raised, fingers forming a circular gesture as he imparts wisdom to all beings. Flanking him are two revered figures: Kasyapa and Ananda. To Shakyamuni’s left is Manjushri, also known as the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, while to the right is Samantabhadra, known as the Bodhisattva of Universal Virtue. This trio is collectively referred to as the “Three Saints of Huayan,” distinct from other Buddhist halls that often house statues representing the Three Buddhas (past, present, and future) or the Three Bodies of Buddha (Dharmakaya, Nirmanakaya, and Sambhogakaya).
Remarkably, in 1950, a batch of wooden sculptures of Arhats was discovered inside the statue of the Buddha, later confirmed to be Tang Dynasty wood carvings. These precious artifacts are now housed in a museum, making them rare treasures of Tang Dynasty heritage.
Reclining Buddha Hall
Situated to the west of the Mahavira Hall, the Reclining Buddha Hall is home to a magnificent statue carved from Burmese white jade. This statue measures 4 meters in length and weighs 6 tons, depicting the Nirvana of Shakyamuni Buddha. The reclining figure faces west and lies in a natural side position, exuding a peaceful and serene expression.
According to legend, Shakyamuni Buddha traveled extensively throughout the Indian subcontinent to spread Buddhism. At the age of 80, he attained Nirvana under the Sala tree near Kusinagara. As a result, all reclining Buddha statues are traditionally sculpted in the same posture he assumed at that moment of enlightenment.
Stupa of Hair Relics
The Stupa of Hair Relics is an octagonal, seven-story brick tower that stands 7.8 meters high, designed in a pagoda style. It marks the location where the Sixth Patriarch, Huineng, buried his hair after taking monastic vows. Constructed during the Tang Dynasty, this exquisite structure is one of the few remaining treasures from that era, representing the ancient pagodas of the Sui and Tang periods. In Guangdong Province, only five such pagodas exist today, including the Stupa of Hair Relics, the Great Master Stupa at Lingshan Temple in Chaozhou, the Zhengxiang Pagoda in Tancheng, the Stone Pagoda at Longxing Temple in Xinhui, and the Zhenshan Treasure Pagoda at Yutai Temple.
Wind Flag Pavilion
The Wind Flag Pavilion is named after the combination of the former Sleeping Buddha Pavilion and the Wind Flag Hall. The Sleeping Buddha Pavilion is a Tang Dynasty structure that originally housed a statue of the reclining Buddha on the upper floor, with sacred texts stored below. The Wind Flag Hall, also built during the Tang Dynasty, was erected to commemorate the legendary debate known as the “Wind Flag Debate” involving the Sixth Patriarch at Guangxiao Temple. During renovations in the Ming Dynasty, the two structures were merged into a single pavilion.
Today, the Wind Flag Pavilion houses stone inscriptions of the Sixth Patriarch and Bodhidharma. One side of the stone tablet features an image of the Sixth Patriarch, while the other depicts Bodhidharma, both dating back to the Yuan Dynasty. The pavilion’s walls are adorned with two colorful murals: one illustrating the story of the Wind Flag Debate and the other recounting Bodhidharma’s journey from ancient India to Guangzhou. He initially established a hermitage at the first landing in the West, before settling at Guangxiao Temple to teach and spread Buddhism.
Hall of the Sixth Patriarch
The Hall of the Sixth Patriarch is located next to the Stupa of Hair Relics and was constructed during the Northern Song Dynasty, in the reign of Emperor Zhenzong, to commemorate the Sixth Patriarch, Huineng. Inside the hall, there is a statue of Huineng, created in recent years, depicting him in a serene posture with an expression filled with wisdom. In front of the Hall, there is a large wooden fish, a traditional Buddhist instrument carved in the shape of a fish, hollowed out to produce sound when struck. The fish head faces outward, which is a significant feature, as it is customary for only prominent temples to have their fish heads positioned this way, highlighting Guangxiao Temple’s esteemed status. The wooden fish is used by monks during ceremonies and chanting, serving as a reminder to practitioners that, like the fish that never closes its eyes, they should remain vigilant and dedicated to their spiritual practice day and night.
East and West Iron Pagodas
On either side of the Mahavira Hall stand two Iron Pagodas, relics from the Southern Han Dynasty in Guangzhou. The West Iron Pagoda was built in the sixth year of the Dabaoh era (963 AD) and suffered damage during the late Qing Dynasty when its temple collapsed, leaving only three of its original seven stories intact. The East Iron Pagoda, constructed ten years later in 967 AD, stands at a height of 7.69 meters and features seven tiers. Its base is intricately adorned with patterns of coiling dragons and lotus flowers, making it one of the largest, oldest, and most complete iron pagodas discovered in China. Historical records indicate that during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, this pagoda housed thousands of gold-plated small Buddha statues, showcasing its historical significance and artistry.
