Nanputuo Temple

Nanputuo Temple

Wulao Peak

Heaven king Hall

Dabei Hall

Buddhism library

Nanputuo temple bell tower

Nanputuo Temple (Chinese: 南普陀寺; pinyin: Nánpǔtuósì; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Lâm-phó͘-tô-sī) is a very famous Buddhist temple founded in the Tang era in the Chinese city of Xiamen. Nanputuo literally means South Putuo. Putuo referring to the mountain in Zhejiang province.

Geographic Location

The Nanputuo Temple is located on the southwest of Xiamen Island. It is surrounded by the graceful sea and the Wulao Peaks behind the temple. The Wulao peaks is a small mountain range that rises on the island. It enjoys a very high reputation for its picturesque view of Xiamen and the surrounding district of Haicang, Gulangyu and Zhangzhou Prefecture Level City. Nanputuo Temple has many deep caves and verdant woods. Nanputuo Temple is adjacent to Xiamen University and Lujiang River.

History

During the remaining years of the Tang dynasty, the monks who inhabited the place had established it into a Buddhist sacred land. It used to have different names. In year 1622, around the beginning of the Qing dynasty, the general Shi Liang provided funds to rebuild the temple, where the Bodhisattva Guanyin was mainly worshipped. The general thought it was on the south of the Mount Putuo of Zhejiang Province, hence he gave the temple its present name. In the year 1924, Hui Quan was appointed the first abbot of the South Putuo President and other famous masters like Hong Yi and Yin shun used to teach here. The college has so far educated many famous Buddhist and has built strong local and overseas reputation for its Buddhist education.

After renovation and reconstruction in 1980s, the temple has changed beyond recognition. It has become a perfect example that embodies natural scenic and cultural heritage, boasting many beautiful rock formations, old pine trees, pavilions, lotus ponds, pagodas and halls. As a result, the Nanputuo Temple has attracted many tourists locally and abroad with its splendid architecture and practicing Buddhists for pilgrimage.

Vegetarian food

One can eat a meal of delicious vegetarian dishes beautifully prepared and presented. Pictures can be seen on their Chinese site [1] In their pamphlet they have a brief introduction in which they say that Nanputo vegetable dishes originally were offerings for the Buddhas. Innovation and development made them popular nowadays. The famous writer Guo Moruo visited the temple and when tasting the dishes improvised a poem for them. Mr. Zhao Puchu, President of China Buddhism Association, named his favorite dish "Drizzling Cloud".

See also

• Xiamen
• Mount Putuo
• Chinese Buddhism

References

External links

• Xiamen City Community Website (厦门社区网, includes business listings, jobs, blogs, picture galleries, and other services)
• Official website (Chinese)

Coordinates: 24°26′35″N 118°05′30″E / 24.44310°N 118.09161°E / 24.44310; 118.09161