Xuanzhong monastery, (near) Tianning/ Jiaocheng, Shanxi, CN

Raw data

“Hanging Temple - Some 60km/37mi southwest of Taiyuan, in the Jiaocheng district, a Buddhist temple dating from 472 has been built on a steep rock-face - hence its name. It is the Shrine of the Denomination of the Land of the Pure (Jingtuzong). In the second half of the 19th C it was almost completely burned down; only the Pavilion of a Thousand Buddhas (Qianfo Ge) remained intact. The edifice was restored to its former glory when it was rebuilt in 1955, and it is now home to more than 70 sculptures in wood, clay and wrought-iron.” - http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/taiyuan-chn-sx-t.htm#CHN-SX-HT

"Xuanzhong Temple is situated on Shibi Mountain in the northwest of Jiaocheng County, Shanxi Province. It is one of birthplaces of Jingtu (Pure Land) Sect, one of important sects of Chinese Buddhism, and is also deemed the birthplace by Pure Land Sect and True Pure Land Sect in Japan. In 1983, it was designated as one of national key temples in the areas of the Han nationality.
Xuanzhong Temple was built in the second year (472) of the Yanxing reign of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It was destroyed by fire, and rebuilt several times during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Since 1954, it has been renovated several times. The Main Hall, Thousand Buddha Hall, Patriarchal Hall and Stele Pavilion have been rebuilt, and cultural relics in the temple have been rearranged.
[…]
In terms of Buddhism's succession, Xuanzhong Temple has a close relationship with Buddhism's Pure Land Sect and True Pure Land Sect in Japan. In the Western Wei Dynasty (386-534), Master Tanyuan founded Buddhism's Pure Land Sect in the temple. In the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Yuanren [= Ennin 圓仁 ], an accomplished monk from Japan, came to China to study doctrines of Buddhism's Tiantai Sect and Secret Sect. Meanwhile, he studied doctrines of Buddhism's Pure Land Sect. Thereupon, Chinese Buddhism's Pure Land Sect was introduced into Japan. [….] Disciples of both [Japanese Pure Land] sects deem Xuanzhong Temple as their origin.”
http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_aboutchina/2003-09/24/content_25394.htm

Xuanzhong Temple - 011 Country Rd, Jiaocheng, Lvliang, Shanxi, China - http://maps.google.com/maps?
Input by: tmciolek, Mar 07, 2013

"Xuanzhong Monastery - Japanese Buddhists regard it as the "ancestral" monastery, and visit it as pilgrims." - http://www.china.org.cn/english/TCC/41690.htm

Final data (and their sources)

Last updated: 10 Aug 2014

Lat/Long coordinates' accuracy:
The monastery in question is assumed to be situated actually no farther than 200 m from the point defined by the coordinates below.

Location of Xuanzhong monastery, CN.

General location of the Xuanzhong monastery, CN.
Lat 37.56408 Long 112.07840
Mapping & images: Falling Rain Genomics (http://www.fallingrain.com), 2013.


Google Map link:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=37.56408+112.07840+(Approx.%20loc.%20of%20the%20Xuanzhong%20monastery,%20CN)&ll=37.56408,112.07840&spn=05.0,05.0&t=k&hl=en


Final data - explanatory notes

1. Monastery's name

  • Xuanzong Monastery

2. Monastery's modern country & province

  • China:Shanxi Sheng

3. Monastery's alternative/historical names


4. Monastery's lat/long coordinates

  • Approx. Lat 37.56408 Long 112.07840 - based on visual identification of the site in maps/satellite imagery and Panoramio photographs, maps.google.com - tmciolek, 07 Mar 2013.

5. Other known nearby Buddhist monasteries


6. Modern name of the known nearest city, town, or village


7. The settlement's alternative/historical names


8. The settlement's coordinates


9. Monastery's major Buddhist tradition

  • Mahayana

10. Monastery's Buddhist sub-tradition


11. Date-early

  • MBM chrono-tag 0467-99c - tmciolek 07 Mar 2013
  • 0467-99c 0500-32c 0533-66c 0567-99c 0600-32c 0633-66c 0667-99c 0700-32c 0733-66c 0767-99c 0800-32c 0833-66c 0867-99c 0900-32c 0933-66c 0967-99c 1000-32c 1033-66c 1067-99c 1100-32c 1133-66c 1167-99c 1200=> dated-el

12. Date-intermediate

  • [missing data]

13. Date-late

  • MBM chrono-tag 1200=> - tmciolek 07 Mar 2013

14. Details of contacts with other monasteries


15. Type of evidence regarding the monastery

  • [missing data]

16. Additional notes

  • [missing data] (incl. details of the size of the monastic population)

17. Corrections & addenda to this page were kindly provided by

  • [missing data]

18. Available Printed Literature

  • [bibliographical details of the Book/Article 1]
  • [bibliographical details of the Book/Article 2]
  • [bibliographical details of the Book/Article 3]

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