Donghua Temple was founded in the first year of Tian Jian, Liang Wudi in the Southern Dynasties (AD 502) by the Indian physician Sanzang Zen Master. Donghua Mountain is named Lingjiu Temple because its mountain-like landform resembles the Indian Lingjiu Mountain. In the first year of Tang Longshuo, the sixth ancestor Huineng retired in Huangmei, rebuilt Lingjiu Temple, renamed Donghua Temple, and later went to Baolin Temple (Nanhua Temple). Since then, it has spread: first Donghua, then South China; Donghua proves the way, and South China spreads the law. The temple flourished in the Tang and Song Dynasties and was destroyed in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. In AD 1997, Master Wan Xing, who lived in seclusion for four years in Zhangzhou, Fujian and Linzhi, Tibet, closed the mountain again. In 2002, he began to prepare for the reconstruction of the Millennium Temple. In September 2006, the project started, and in June 2008, Donghua Temple was officially completed, covering an area of more than 300 mu, with a construction area of more than 20,000 square meters, with an investment of more than RMB 1 100 million. During the Tianshun period of the Qing Dynasty, it was changed to Donghua Academy. During the Cultural Revolution, Buddhist temples were destroyed, leaving only ruins. 1997, Master Wanxing came to the Ruzhu Cave in Donghua Mountain to retreat. In order to reproduce the glory of Wengyuan Ancient Temple, Master Wanxing decided to repair Donghua Temple. According to Master Wanxing's vision, Donghua Temple will be rebuilt in the old site, and eight supporting buildings, such as Donghua meditation center, recuperation center, Tzu Chi nursing center, Buddhist cultural exchange center, Buddhist college, Buddhist art exhibition center, Longxian ancient town, Donghua 72 Pagoda and Donghua Jushilin, will be built in the planned area of 6 square kilometers in Donghua Mountain Scenic Area. On June 2, 2008, 10, with the strong support of Wengyuan County Party Committee and county government, after eight years of hard work by four disciples, the ancient, simple, elegant, solemn and sacred Donghua Temple was completed.
Related story: In the first year of Tang Longshuo, Huineng, the sixth ancestor, took over the mantle in Huangmei, returned to this temple to live in seclusion in the south, changed Lingjiu Temple to Donghua Temple, and then went to Lin Bao. From then on, Weng Xu had a legend: Donghua came first, then South China, and Donghua preached the Dharma in South China. The prosperity of Tang and Song Dynasties was destroyed in Ming and Qing Dynasties. 1997, Shaman Wanxing came back with a wish, entered this mountain for three years, felt the grace of heaven and earth, met the sum of yin and yang, and proved the origin of Buddhism, so he went through customs and rebuilt Donghua. With a knife and axe in his hand, the master cut the mountain and cut the road. In the past, no man's land, Mid-Autumn Festival in Dinghai, temples reappeared, bodhi was green, trees were hidden, and monks gathered. Teachers follow the ancestral Zen: pay equal attention to agriculture and Zen, meditate in class, do it in class, and do it without eating; Establish a Donghua style: first believe in religion, first love your country, first learn Buddhism, first be a man, first practice Buddhism. Master Wanxing follows the Zen Buddhism of his ancestors, "paying equal attention to agriculture and Zen, sitting in meditation in class, doing it in class, not doing it, not eating it", establishing the Donghua family style, "first believing in religion, then patriotism, first learning Buddhism, first becoming a monk", and adhering to "seeking Buddhism and Taoism, and descending all beings; The concept of "moral model, sage conduct" strictly manages temples. Monks abide by the rules and regulations of the jungle, and the purity of real practice is well-known, which makes Donghua Temple the most distinctive practice center in the country and attracts many monks to study and consult. Under the auspices of Master Wanxing, Donghua Temple has become one of the largest Buddhist cultural centers in Shaoguan, a model religious activity place in the whole city, a harmonious temple and church in the whole province, and a charity advocate in wengyuan county. Donate millions of yuan to the society every year for disaster relief, education and poverty alleviation, which greatly promotes the healthy development of wengyuan county's economy and culture. On April 2, 20 15, Donghua Temple, a Millennium temple in Guangdong, posted an advertisement for APP talents to promote Buddhism on the Internet, and the advertisement also stated "I want you to be a Buddha". Attracted 4000 resumes.