Qingliang Temple 🏯

📍 Address: Located on the northern side of the Chengdu-Chongqing Ring Expressway, nestled deep within the Longquan Mountain range, offering convenient access and a serene, tranquil environment.

Historical Development 🕰️

Qingliang Temple was originally established during the Zhen Guan period of the Tang Dynasty (627 CE), initially named "Qingxu Yuan," one of the early Chan Buddhist monastic centers in western Sichuan. It underwent multiple reconstructions during the Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties, with the most extensive rebuilding occurring during the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty. The name "Qingliang" derives from the Vimalakirti Sutra, meaning “a calm mind brings coolness,” symbolizing the ideal state of meditation—free from worldly distractions and inward clarity.

Architecture and Layout 🏞️

The temple is built into the mountainside, facing south with its main axis oriented north-south, covering approximately 3,000 square meters. Key structures along the central axis include:

• Mountain Gate Hall: A three-bay gabled roof structure; the lintel bears a plaque inscribed with “Ciyun Puzhao” (All-embracing Compassion), bestowed by Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty
• Hall of the Four Heavenly Kings: Enshrines the Four Heavenly Kings; two exquisite Ming Dynasty stone lions stand before the hall, finely carved
• Great Buddha Hall: Features a single-eaved hip-and-gable roof with original Ming Dynasty timber framing; houses statues of the Buddha Shakyamuni, Amitabha Buddha, and Bhaisajyaguru Buddha—the Three Saints
• Sutras Pavilion: On the second floor, housing a facsimile edition of the Chinese Great Canon and a surviving fragment of a hand-copied Diamond Sutra from the Qing Dynasty

All buildings are constructed with blue bricks and gray tiles, featuring upturned eaves and elegant roof corners, reflecting the classic wooden architecture style of western Sichuan.

Cultural and Historical Significance 📜

• Ming Dynasty Bronze Bell: Standing 1.2 meters tall, inscribed with records of restoration merits; designated as a provincial-level cultural heritage site
• Qing Dynasty Stele Group: Seven steles in total, documenting the lineage of monks and the flourishing history of worship, holding significant historical value
• Chan Buddhist Lineage: A transmission center of the Linji School; during the Ming and Qing dynasties, dozens of eminent monks resided here, leaving lasting influence

For centuries, the temple has served as a major center for Chan meditation in western Sichuan, preserving traditional practices such as morning and evening bell ringing and daily meditation sessions.

Visitor Information 🗺️

• Opening Hours: Daily 8:00–17:30 (open on holidays)
• Admission: Free (donations for incense are voluntary)
• Transportation: Take Chengdu Metro Line 2 to Longquan Station, then transfer to bus or drive northward along the Chengdu-Chongqing Ring Expressway for about 15 kilometers
• Recommended Visit Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours
• Important Notes: Please dress appropriately and maintain quiet reverence; smoking and loud talking are prohibited

✨ Tip: Every year on the 19th day of the second lunar month, during the Bodhisattva Guanyin’s birthday celebration, the temple hosts a grand blessing ceremony attracting countless pilgrims—ideal for experiencing the profound spiritual essence of Sichuan’s Chan tradition.

📌 Qingliang Temple is currently recognized as a Provincial Cultural Heritage Site in Sichuan Province and a national Grade III religious activity venue, embodying both historical significance and enduring humanistic spirit.