Ningbo Tiantong Temple: The Birthplace of Sino-Japanese Caodong Zen

Ningbo Tiantong Temple is located at the foot of Taibai Mountain, surrounded by peaks. The mountains are quiet and the forests are lush. The mist flows between the peaks and valleys, naturally revealing a solemn Zen. This ancient temple can be traced back to 300 AD, and has a history of more than 1,700 years. It is not only one of the birthplaces of China's Caodong Sect, but also because Japanese Zen Master Dogen once studied and practiced in this ancient temple, so Tiantong Temple became the birthplace of the Japanese Caodong Sect's Zen. This ancient temple not only carries the profound traditional practice of Caodong Sect's "Silent Illumination Zen", but also shows a unique southeastern Buddhist style with its harmonious coexistence of architecture and nature, and occupies a pivotal position in the spread of Buddhism. As a rare large-scale Buddhist forest Zen temple in the Jiangnan region, Tiantong Temple preserves a large number of Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings, stone carvings, plaques and Buddhist cultural relics, has a profound cultural heritage, and has been included in the "Maritime Silk Road" World Cultural Heritage Tentative List.

In the afternoon of the summer solstice, the sun was warm and the breeze was gentle. Our group of five entered the scenic area where Ningbo Tiantong Temple is located, and walked slowly along the bluestone incense path. We passed through the three mountain gates (Fuhu Pavilion, Ancient Mountain Gate, and Jingqian Pavilion). Each gate seemed to guide the travelers away from the hustle and bustle of the world, so that the mind would gradually become calm and the state of mind would also become light and clear. Along the way, we passed the Tiantong Forest Park with groups of bamboo trees. The bamboo shadows were dancing, the breeze was blowing in the forest, and the air was filled with the smell of moist soil and the fragrance of forest plants. It was as if we had entered a quiet world isolated from the hustle and bustle.

The buildings of Tiantong Temple unfolded layer by layer according to the mountain terrain. The inner and outer Wangong Ponds were sparkling, and the seven pagodas stood quietly in the middle. The four characters "Southeast Buddhist Kingdom" on the screen wall shone brightly in the sun. Here, an open pond appeared in front of us, with ripples on the water surface, reflecting the light of the sky and the shadows of the clouds. Entering from the mountain gate, passing the Heavenly King Hall, the Buddha Hall, and the Dharma Hall, walk to the Arhat Hall. The buildings along the way are symmetrically arranged along the central axis, layer by layer, and magnificent. The overall layout inherits the style of the Ming Dynasty reconstruction. The halls are connected by long corridors, which are not only convenient for sheltering from wind and rain, but also create a rhythmic spatial sequence. Walking in it, it is like walking in a slowly unfolding Zen scroll, the Buddhist temple is silent, and the blessings and wisdom are endless. This day, I saw the true nature of all things in silence, and lived in the realm of wisdom in silence. What I gained was not only the scenery, but also the inner joy and freedom.

#Ningbo
#Tiantong Temple
#Caodong Sect
#Silent Zen
#Southeast Buddhist Kingdom
#Zen
#Spatial Art
#Soul Healing Attractions
#Buddhist Architectural Aesthetics

Post by 悦冬 | Jul 28, 2025