The construction of the temple, originally named "Bore Chan Temple" (般若禅寺) or "Bore Temple" (般若寺), was initiated in 567 by Nanyue Huisi during the Six Dynasties period (222-589).[1][2][3]
During the Zhenguan period (627-649) of Tang dynasty (618-907), Emperor Taizong of Tang gave 50 volumes of Buddhist scriptures to the temple. In 713, in the 2nd year of Xiantian period, Nanyue Huairang came here and served as its abbot.[2][3]
During the Taiping Xingguo period of Song dynasty (960-1279), Emperor Taizong of Song inscribed and honored the name "Fuyan Temple", and the name has been retained today.[1][2][3]
Fuyan Temple has more than 10 buildings and halls, the well-preserved buildings include the shanmen, the Hall of Holy Emperor of Mount Heng, the Mahavira Hall, the Abbot's Room, the Dharma Hall, the Hall of Guru, the Buddhist Texts Library, the Meditation Hall, and the Huayan Pavilion.[2]
Hall of Holy Emperor of Mount Heng
The Hall of Holy Emperor of Mount Heng is the third hall of the temple for the worship of the Holy Emperor of Mount Heng (岳神).[2][4]
Ginkgo trees
The temple has four old ginkgo trees. One of them is already 1400-years-old.[2][5][4]
Mahavira Hall
The Mahavira Hall is the fourth hall in the temple. Statues of Horizontal Three-Life Buddha are enshrined in the hall, namely Sakyamuni (middle), Amitabha (right) and Bhaisajya (left). The statue of Horizontal Three-Life Buddha are enshrined in the center with Eighteen Arhats lining up on both sides.[2][4]
Zhang Yuhuan (2012). "(Chapter Twelve) Eminent Monks' Tracks: Legend of Generations of Buddhist Masters and Their Accommodation" 第十二章《高僧的足迹:历代大师与所在寺院的传说》. 《图解中国佛教建筑》 [Illustration of Buddhist Architecture in China] (in Chinese). Beijing: Contemporary China Publishing House. ISBN978-7-5154-0118-8.