Xingjiao Temple in Zhangpu

Xingjiao Temple was founded by the Tang Dynasty monk Master Zhiyuan in 892 AD. The original site was behind the county's Xianyun visit, (near the current county government) where the temple was grandly constructed, magnificent and prominent; with its halls, pagodas, pavilions, and terraces all well-ordered and aesthetically placed. The ancient architecture of its heavy-eaved Wu Hall, with its interior bracket sets, melon-shaped layers, and exquisite bas-reliefs, is compactly arranged, known as the 'Hall of a Hundred Pillars'; it can be described as 'a grand Buddhist palace, with all Buddha statues solemn and dignified'. The Qing Dynasty's Guangxu era records (Zhangzhou Prefecture Chronicles) state that during the Tang Dynasty's Kaiyuan era, Emperor Xuanzong decreed that Buddhist temples be built in the capitals of all the states across the country, all named 'Kaiyuan Temple'. It is also recorded that 'Zhangzhou's Kaiyuan Temple was first established in Zhangpu', and Xingjiao Temple was rebuilt on the site of Kaiyuan Temple, with a profound historical and cultural heritage. Xingjiao Temple is a site of practice for Amitabha Buddha and is the largest Buddhist temple in Zhangpu County, 'with a Buddha hall in the center, flanked by two wings, a bell tower to the east, a drum tower to the west, a mountain gate in front, the Talking Empty Pavilion, a Dharma hall behind the hall, the abbot's quarters to the east of the hall, and the Western India quarters to the west, with an ancient spring hermitage to the east of the mountain gate.' The current abbot is Master Shengyu. In 1982, under the leadership of Master Shizhenren, Xingjiao Temple was rebuilt. In April 1995, the Zhangpu County Buddhist Association was established, with its headquarters also located at Xingjiao Temple. In 2010, Xingjiao Temple was listed as a key temple for cross-strait exchanges in Zhangzhou City. During the pilgrimage to the ancient Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzhou, I passed by Xingjiao Temple on my return journey by chance. Upon entering the temple and witnessing the Buddha statues, I was filled with admiration and joyous in the Dharma, and I highly recommend it to everyone coming to Zhangzhou, remember to visit this temple to pay respects and offer incense! 📍Detailed address: No. 72, Dating Road, Zhangpu County, Zhangzhou City. 🕙Business hours: 8 AM to 5 PM. 💰Ticket fee: Free admission