Buddhism is not a native religion in China, but was introduced in the period of Emperor Han Ming. During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Buddhism flourished, and there was a grand occasion of "480 temples in the Southern Dynasties, with many misty rains in Tadao". Although Taoism was the national religion of the Tang Dynasty, Buddhism flourished in the Tang Dynasty through the promotion of Buddhism by Master Xuanzang and the full support of Wu Zetian. So there are many Tang temples preserved in China, among which Huiji Temple in Yuanping County is a Tang temple.
Huiji Temple is located in Lianjiagang Village, Zhongyang Township, northeast of Yuanping City. Founded in the Tang Dynasty, it was rebuilt in the Song Dynasty and rebuilt in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The whole temple consists of the mountain gate, Manjusri Hall, Bell Tower, Galá n Hall, Giant Buddha Hall, East and West Cloisters, etc. Among them, 1 Bell Tower can be seen at the mountain gate, and the gold plaque on the blue background reads "Huiji Temple".
After entering the temple, there is Manjusri Hall. There is a huge Buddhist platform in the center of the hall, with colorful statues of Manjusri Bodhisattva, maid, protector and boy. There are 157 wood carvings in the wooden pavilions on both sides of the Buddha platform, and murals are painted on the inner wall of the Buddha rescue. These colorful sculptures and wood carvings also have high artistic value.
As for the Guanyin statue, Cihang Hall has a total of 1 statue, which is different from the Guanyin statue we usually see. This Guanyin is not sitting still, but the right leg is curled up, and the right arm naturally rests on the right leg. This statue is called "Free Guanyin Statue", and the plaque hanging in Cihang Hall was made during Guangxu period.
The Great Buddha Hall was built in the reconstruction period of the Song Dynasty. The statues in the hall, such as giant Buddha, bodhisattva, boy and King Kong, are masterpieces of the Song Dynasty. There are 157 pieces of wood carvings in the Song Dynasty in the Thousand Buddha Pavilion on both sides of the Great Buddha Hall, which are beautifully carved and powerful in knife cutting. In addition, the most interesting thing is the female bodhisattva statue in the west corner of the main hall.
It is understood that this female bodhisattva, known locally as "Aunt Cao", is from Lianjiagang Village. She was kind and understanding since she was a child; When she learned that Huiji Temple was to be built in the village, she took the initiative to contract the work of pumping water. She gets up before dawn every day to pump water, just enough for the workers for one day. For a long time, Aunt Cao was tired and ill. When Huiji Temple was completed, she actually sat in the temple on the spot, when she was only 16 years old.
In order to appreciate her kindness, the monks in the temple built a statue of Bodhisattva for her, which was offered day and night. Due to the erosion of years, Aunt Cao's body image has also been damaged, and the real body can be seen from the damaged place; Some tourists have said that when he is close to the physical image, he can still smell a faint fragrance. It is because of Aunt Cao's kindness that she can become a Buddha at an early age!