Bailin Temple, Great Zen Buddhist Center

» Shijiazhuang, He Bei

Bailin Temple, Great Zen Buddhist Center Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Located in the southeast of Zhaoxian County Seat, 30 kilometers away from Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei Province, Bailin Temple was first built at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty (196 - 220). In ancient times, Bailin Temple was the Buddhist center of the state of Yan and Zhao. Before going to study Buddhism in India, Sanzang, a famous monk in the Tang Dynasty, studied here for more than one year.

Buddha's pure teachings

• "Life bound to enlightenment, Life with devotion" is the essential message of the Zen teaching.
  

• "Practice right now, embodies faith in everyday life, integrate spiritual path into worldly context and devote the life to the welfare of all "is the major guideline directing most of our daily practices.
  

• "Everybody understands and participates, everybody benefits and shares" is the principle that guides our every activity in revitalizing the Dharma center and arranging day-to-day monastic works.
  

Under these principles, Bailin Temple and all its members are now working zealously to benefit living beings through disseminating Buddha's pure teachings.

Names of the temple

Bailin Temple was first built at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty (196 - 220). In the early days of its history, it had been widely known as the Ancient Guan Yin Temple until Song Dynasty when it was renamed as "Yong'an Temple." The name "Bailin Temple" appeared in an imperial decree issued to the temple by an emperor in the Yuan Dynasty. Because at that time there were so many cypresses as to become woods, it was renamed "Bailin." ("Bailin" in Chinese means "cypress woods.")

Important Buddhist Center

From the limited epigraphs remained today, we know that Bailin Temple had always been an important Buddhist center throughout the whole ancient history.

In ancient times, Bailin Buddhist Temple was the Buddhist center of the state of Yan and Zhao. Before going to study Buddhism in India, Sanzang, a famous monk in the Tang Dynasty, studied here for more than one year. A stone stele of Jin Dynasty recorded an activity in which over 3000 lay followers donated to build a great Buddha statue in the Temple. In the early years of Yuan Dynasty, three emperors had ever signed decrees to local regimes, ordering them to exempt taxes from the Temple so as to preserve this Buddhist Holy Land.

Revitalization

In the recent history, confronted by many difficulties resulting from political and social adversities, Bailin Temple has ever experienced a period of decadency. When the Cultural Revolution was over and the Temple was reopened as a monastery in 1988, not a single hall or temple could be found on the ruined site, nor did a statue or scripture ever remain. Only the Stupa of Master Zhaozhou and a few cypress trees standing lonely on the ground might still remind people that this had once been a sacred Buddhist center in the history.

Nowadays, ministered by Jinghui Chan Master, Bailin Buddhist Temple has taken on a new look, and Buddhism is still flourishing, Jinghui Chan Master's Shenhuo Zen has a telling influence on the Buddhist world. Each year in July, Shenhuo Zen Summer Camp attracts students and lay Buddhists from China and the rest of the world to come to sightsee and study. Now, Bailin Buddhist Temple has become a tourist attraction sightseeing, worshiping and vacationing.

In 1988, the Venerable Master Jinghui became the Abbot of the Temple, who since then has worked devotedly and tirelessly to raise funds and organize the renovation program of the Temple. In 1992, the construction of the Hall of Light Lumination was completed. In the following years, a number of buildings were constructed one after another, which included the Main Gate, the Guan Yin Temple, the Bell Tower, the Meditation Hall, the Yunshui House and the Huixian House etc.

After nearly 7 years of unremitting work, the previous dilapidated site has now been transformed into a sublime Buddhist center with beautiful, clean monastic environment and a pure, harmonious Sangha community, functioning as a pure land in this human world.

In 1993, Hebei Zen Study Center was set up in the Temple. In 1998, Hebei Buddhist College also started its study and training programs here. In 1999, the construction of a group of monastic architectures highlighting the magnificent Ten-Thousand Buddha Hall was initiated. This project is expected to be accomplished in 2003. We welcome every kind support and contribution to this great renovation project from both home and aboard any donation from you will be highly appreciated and well used.

Eminent monks ever been here

In ancient times, Bailin Buddhist Temple was the Buddhist center of the state of Yan and Zhao. Before going to study Buddhism in India, Sanzang, a famous monk in the Tang Dynasty, studied here for more than one year. There are many eminent monks in Bailin Buddhist Temple history, such as Zhaozhou Chan Master (an honorific title for a Buddhist monk) in the Tang Dynasty, Guiyun Old Man in the Song Dynasty, Yuexi Chan Master and Luyun Chan Master in the Yuan Dynasty.

Zhaozhou Chan Master

Zhaozhou Chan Master is a master, remarkable and influential both in the past and at present, and well known inside and outside China.

The most fruitful contribution of Chinese Buddhism to the human society is embodied in Zen, the very essence of Chinese Buddhist tradition. The practice of Zen began to flourish in Tang Dynasty, when Zen's sixth patriarch Master Huineng, despite his illiteracy, achieved profound realization and set up a very special way of teaching which was unconventionally dynamic and straightforward to the point of enlightenment.

Master Zhaozhou was the fifth successor of Patriarch Huineng. He was ordained at his very early age and became enlightened in his youth when he was studying and practicing Zen under the guidance of Master Nanquan. After that, he spent all his time traveling from one place to another in search of spiritual teachers and friends until his age of 80 when he arrived at Bailin Temple and settled down there for the rest of his life. His profound realization and rich meditation experiences had brought out great fruition in the Dharma activities in his late years.

Many practitioners of Zen tradition had achieved high level realization through his compassionate teachings. Many of his teachings and life-stories had become the most typical and effective practical guide for the later followers of Zen Tradition. Master Zhaozhou therefore was among the most eminent Zen teachers in the history of Chinese Buddhism. In 897 A.D., the great master passed away at his age of 120. Bailin Temple, as a Zen study center first established by Master Zhaozhou, has since become flourishing and been regarded as one of the most sacred holy sites of Zen Tradition over the centuries, and even until today.

Current Abbot

The renovation program has been carried out under the direct guidance of the current abbot of Bailin Temple, Ven. Master Jinghui, who is now also the vice chairman of the Chinese Buddhist Association and the chief editor of its monthly Journal "The Sound of Dharma".

Ven. Master Jinghui was ordained at his very early age. When he was still a young novice monk, he had studied and practiced the teachings of Zen Tradition under the direct guidance of his guru, Ven. Abbot Xuyun, and was one of the closest disciples of this great Zen teacher. Having received the entire set of teachings from Abbot Xuyun, Master Jinghui became the succeeding lineage holder of both Linji Sect and Caodong Sect of Zen Tradition.

As the chairmen of Hebei Buddhist Association, Master Jinghui is very busy almost everyday, but he always looks fresh and vigorous and acts with a calm and peaceful mind, genuinely demonstrating an example of Buddhisattva in reality.

Since 1993, based on his profound meditation experiences and deep understandings of most urgent problems about modern people, the master has conducted many teachings on Zen's Way of Life, a special spiritual therapy proposed for modern people on how to skillfully integrate the practice of Zen into the context of everyday life. In his introduction to Zen's Way of Life, the master said, "To practice the Zen's Way of Life is to apply the wisdom and the very essence of Zen in to our daily life and thereby to achieve the realization of its sublimes, spirituality and inner beauty in the process of everyday life.

The purpose of presenting Zen's Way of Life is to integrate the essential practice of Buddhism into Chinese cultural context, and thus present a dynamic spiritual path of Zen incorporated with the Chinese cultural tradition''. Practicing Zen in everyday life will help us solving many problems confronted in our daily life such as mental bewilderment, affliction and impediment, and thus lead us to a life guided by wisdom and endowed with real meaning.

Under such a principle, Venerable Master Jinghui has given many instructions on how to actually practice Zen's Way of Life. He has also summarized the essential meaning of Zen's Way of Life as "Life bound to enlightenment, Life with devotion". In recent years, the special teaching of Zen's Way of Life has drawn widely social concern, and has been highly praised by people both in and outside the Buddhist community.

Main Dharma Activities

While the renovation works are being carried out, Dharma ceremonies and meditation courses opened to everyone have been arranged regularly throughout the year. From the 9th to the 15th in January (of Chinese lunar calendar, hereinafter), a seven-day retreat emphasizing the Purfication Practice of Medicine Buddha is usually arranged.

From the 4th to the 7th in April, Dharma ceremony for granting Buddhisattva Vows to lay practitioners is often held. From the 9th to the 15th in July, a special course consisting of both Dharma teachings and meditation sessions is planned, mainly for practitioners of the Pure-land Sect. While from the 15th of December to the 7th of January, a 21-day meditation retreat is scheduled for more advanced practitioners. In addition, there are some special Dharma festivals and celebrations on the birthdays of Buddhas and Buddisattvas.

The Zen's Way of Life Summer Camp held in every mid-July is a special event for the Sangha of the Temple as it is designed specially for young people to develop understanding into Dharma. During this seven-day summer camp period, every participant will do meditation and prayer every morning and night, listen to Dharma teachings, discuss with counterparts and emulate the life of a Zen master. Many participants have developed their faith in Three Jewels and have been greatly inspired and moved by this pure, blissful lifestyle.

Lee preaching Health

Bailin opened the monastery from 1988, although restoration works voluminous, funding, staffing tight, venues were simple, limited, but in promoting Buddhism, the interests of the community has been for the unremitting efforts. Through the years to enrich the preaching activities, Bailin Monastery is gradually becoming a community-oriented, community-oriented modern Buddhist temple.

Abbot of the net-hui Master vision in 1992 raised a "life of Zen" as a monastery in Bailin preaching the concept of self-cultivation. Zen living is the main Interest "will be implemented in the life of faith, will be present in the implementation of self-cultivation, will melt in the world of Buddhism, the individual will melt in the public" Zen living is the purpose of "consciousness of life and dedication in life" and "public recognition, public Participation of the public achievements of the public to share "We are engaged in the cause of the criteria.

To promote the concept of Zen life, the better will melt in the Buddhist community, from 1993 onwards, the annual Bailin Temple adhere to organize community-oriented "living Zen Summer Camp." To participate in the camp are 18 to 38-year-old Buddhist youth, each number around 250 people. In the temple for seven days in the life they want to participate in the Shangdiankesong, meditation, to listen to Buddhist lectures, Chicha to-heart talks, cloud water line legs and other activities. Yingyuan Men in a new situation in the broad and profound understanding of Buddhism, to seek the hearts of dust-laden long-Lee, Buddhism appreciate the serenity and beyond.

Bailin Temple of the annual Spring Festival will also auspicious Council, April Chuba Buddha taught at home justify warning, July 15 Boeun Ghost Festival and the Third Council of Guanyin and the three-week winter Chan Seven . Every law, the people gathered. Bailin Temple became public four disciples' warm home. Apart from organizing various preaching activities, over the years, Bailin has been actively involved in Temple, the Buddhist Association in support of various social charity, reflects the Buddhist spirit of compassion Jishi.

The world Zhaozhou

"The world Zhaozhou," which is over 1,000 years ago Zhaowang of Zhaozhou Zen master of the German general praise, but also seems to be today Zhaozhou Zen wind, the Zhaozhou Zuting indicates to the world, with the in-depth development of reform and opening up. As people around the world on oriental culture in particular, the return of Zen culture, Bailin, as the old Zen monastery Zuting, the birthplace of wind Zen Zhaozhou, increasingly show the world that its people purification Meaningful and the enormous value and charm.

Impact in Asia

Are still open here before 1998, Japan Chanseng often tower Baizu to this festival, in their eyes, Zhaozhou Zen Master is the greatest writer, is their benefactor. August 1992-Cape bright Dian open celebration of the Provisional Huang Japan Friendship Association delegation composed of more than 50 people attended. On that day, the Japanese Rinzai of Tofukuji faction of the long-Fukushima, former elder in Zuta Guanzhu pay the entire life, sent shock Qiankun out of Taihe "no --!", as the founder of praise and support. Since then every year, many Japanese to North Korea Chanseng ceremony, they always amazed at the tremendous changes Zuting, Gankui Zhaozhou Zen-large. Some of them have returned after the magazines and books are also on the text of the report Zhaozhou Zuting today's situation.

January 16, 1998 to 26 and on in Japan as a "golden link" as part of friendly exchanges, the Japanese Rinzai cases, Cao Dongzong of the seven monks are here to experience the spiritual life of 10 days. They and the Chinese monks chanted Buddhist scripts together for the Treasury, with a vegetarian, meditation. When they are parting sigh here spiritual environment of superiority, the breadth of the Chinese Buddhist praise.

A certain impact in Europe

1994 abbot of a net-hui led by Master Temple in Bailin three Chinese Buddhist monks to participate in the culture and mission to Paris, France, and France Chaozhouhuiguan forged a profound friendship.

June 1994, September 1998, Chaozhoukuaiguan twice led Organization of the large number of pilgrims Zuting delegation. 1997, the net twice-hui Master also was invited to visit Paris, taking part in the Foshi Chaozhoukuaiguan activities and presentations of Buddhism.

May 1997, the net Master Hui led a delegation to Budapest, Hungary, "Xu Yun Toll of the Temple" at a Buddhist ceremony and should be light to the Chinese request, I am in the Hungarian Embassy and the relevant government departments agreed that the appointment of the two resident monks there, Presided over Fashi activities.

June 1994, a Swiss Maliqiongsen came to the Bailin Buddhist Temple converted in the net on the next Master Hui. The Xuefo years, a certain understanding of Zen foreign friends to Bailin to the spirit of the temple as her home, after the death of ashes placed here. 1999 Spring Festival, Maliqiongsen once again came to the Bailin Temple, in order to better Ruishi Hong law, the identity of the monks to take part in various public activities, her net-hui issued a Master's whereabouts at home, Famingmingqi.

April 1999, an American friend came to find the remains of Zhaozhou Dojo here. Before he became known in the dictionary on the Dojo Zhaozhou, "leaving only a tower," came to the field to see the solemn Tasi He was very surprised. They teach in the United States, a Zen teacher, often with "no channel clearance," a show of people, the Zhaozhou Dojo very fascinated. He was asked by the teacher to come to the Roots. Did not think of one faction of vitality here, he moved.

May 17 to 21, 1999, Nhat Hanh meditation centre of France Meicun organizations from 16 countries Zuting 180-member delegation of Baidoa, the exchange Chanxue.

November 5, 2001, the CPC Central Committee General Secretary and State President Jiang Zemin Jialin paid inspections. He praised the Chinese Buddhist culture of broad and affirmed the Bailin elegant temple of the environment and good management. On this day, the Bailin Temple ZTE has the most historical significance of the day.

Makha Bucha Sihou the current floor, ceiling works, is about to conduct an internal decoration. The end of this year is expected to complete the whole project could be completed in 2003 will hold a ceremony for the completion of the new repair the Buddhist Institute will also be opening soon. At the same time eight young monks are related to the last three years of closed-door access. Zhaozhou Zuting is becoming a stronghold of the Northern Buddhism, its meditation, preaching Sangha education, multi-function, the China Everbright Buddhism, and contributes to the benefit of mankind.

When to visit

Opening Hours: 8:00a.m. - 6:00p.m.

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Bailin Temple, Great Zen Buddhist Center Highlights

Bailin Temple, Great Zen Buddhist Center FAQ & Travelers's Tips

TOURIST GUIDE

The Bailin Buddhist Temple Pagoda was built in memory of Zhaozhou Chan Master, the eminent monk Congnian. The files and remarks left by Congnian have always been the most Classical and effective guide book for the beginners of Buddhism. In 897, he passed away here at the age of 120 and Bailin Buddhist Temple became one of the important ancestral courtyards of Zen.

SERVICES

Here are Zhaozhou Hotel, Qingyuan Hotel, Commercial Building Hotel, Guibinyuan Hotel, and more than 10 designated tourist restaurants.

HOW TO GET THERE

Drive southward from Beijing along Beijing-Shenzhen Expressway to Shijiazhuang Exit, drive along Tiyu South Street to G308, pass by Luancheng to Zhaoxian County, and then drive ahead along Shita Road to get here. You may also go to Shijiazhuang by train or by bus, then take a bus to Zhaoxian County, get off at Shita Stop, and walk ahead to get there.

TELEPHONE

Zhaoxian County Tourist Bureau: 86-311-4902300

Spiritual Path

• Address: No.23 East Shita Road, Zhao County, Hebei Province, China
• Post code: 051530
• Tel: 086-0311-84942447, 84927167
• Fax: 086-0311-84925691