The Temple of the Six Banyan Trees, locally referred to as the Liurong Temple, is a spot with 1500 years of spiritual history and is taken into account considered one of the birthplaces of Chinese Chan (Zen) Buddhism – a spot of great importance. Though it’s near the town of Guangzhou, the temple is strangely tranquil, and other people visit to search out some measure of spiritual peace.
History
Chinese poet Sushi visited the temple out of admiration and was impressed by the six ancient Banyan trees standing there, thereby writing the Chinese characters – Liurong – which was then carved by the resident monks, birthing the namesake of the temple. When rebuilt in 1982, these characters were engraved over again and hung above the major gate. Today, six banyan trees still stand and though they will not be the unique trees, are still over 150 years old.
Layout
The temple itself is an octangular pagoda that reaches 57m in height, while the complex covers about 8500 square metres. There are over 13 buildings, similar to the Main Shrine Hall, Scripture Library, and Hall of Friendship. Various depictions of Chinese tradition, history, and spirituality are present throughout the complex, adding to the wealthy tapestry of culture that permeates the realm.
Highlights
The architecture is harking back to an early Indian style merged with components of ancient China, a method not seen in lots of Chinese temples of recent times – while many statues of Buddhas past and future dot the landscape, true to the Buddhist nature of the temple. The pagoda itself towers over the land, a red-white extension towards the sky constructed of octangular brick wood.
Nearby Attractions
Visitors to Liurong Temple are only just a few kilometres from the town centre, accessible to residences similar to the Springdale Serviced Residence Guangzhou – making it much more convenient to travel to such attractions because the Yuexiu Park, Nanyue King Mausoleum, or Chen Clan Ancestral Hall. All of those attractions are also inside city limits, making Guangzhou accommodation a really viable option for tourists and outdoors visitors.
Tips for Visitors
For visitors who wish to get a greater experience of culture and an idea of Buddhist traditions, one can visit during Chinese festivals – similar to the Spring/Lantern festivals. It’s also possible to pay a fee for a personal blessing with considered one of the monks within the temple, and for a bit of additional good luck, a visitor can toss a coin within the courtyard can. Also, it’s vital to keep in mind that no photos of the Buddha statues are allowed, so please be respectful!
