Bright Filial Piety Temple
With a history of over 1,700 years, Guangzhou’s Bright Filial Piety Temple is one of the grandest temples in China.
The temple was originally built as a residence for Prince Jiande during the Western Han Dynasty (BC207-24AD). During the Three Kingdoms Period (220-228), a commander was demoted and banished to Guangzhou. He settled into the residence and upon his death, his family had the residence turned into a Zen Buddhist Temple. During the Eastern Jin Period, a famous monk, Tan Moyeshe, came to Guangzhou to lecture, and helped build the Mahavira Hall. Ever since, renowned monks have come to the temple to lecture.
The main temple complex consists of the Mahavira Hall, Sixth Ancestor Hall, Samgharama Hall, Heavenly King Hall, and the East and West Iron Pagodas and the Mahakaruna Dharani Sutra Pillar.
Mahariva Hall
Originally built in the year 401, during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420), the hall has been renovated and restored many times during succeeding dynasties. The Hall is located on a stone plinth and is flanked by the Bell Tower and Drum Tower. Located inside the hall are three large statues of The Buddha. Many temples across China have buildings which are copies of this one.
Sixth Ancestor Hall
Located behind the Samgharama Hall, the Sixth Ancestor Hall was built during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), in honor of Master Hui Neng. A large statue of him is located inside the hall. Behind the Sixth Ancestor hall is an ancient Bodhi Tree. Bodhi Trees symbolizes the Buddhist ideal of wisdom. In 676, the abbot of the temple buried some of Hui Neng’s hair under the tree. There is a 7.8 meter high octagonal pagoda, built as a memorial to him in the temple complex.
Heavenly King Hall
Inside the Heavenly King Hall is a huge statue of The Buddha surrounded by other Buddhas. Inside the hall is a stele which was carved in the Ming Dynasty.
East and West Iron Pagodas
The oldest iron pagodas in China, the cast iron pagodas are truly works of art. The Western Pagoda was cast in 963. It was a seven storey Pagoda, but when the building it was housed in collapsed at the end of the Qing Dynasty, the four upper floors were crushed and no longer exist. The three stories that still exist are covered with images of The Buddha. There is a large niche on each side which holds a statue of The Buddha.
The East Pagoda was created in 967. It has seven stories and has approximately 1,000
niches, each one holding a Buddha. According to legend, the East Pagoda was originally gilded.
Mahakaruna Dharani Sutra Pillar
Carved in 826, the sutra pillar was carved of bluestone and engraved on all eight sides
with the Mahakaruna Dharani Sutra.
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