大岭山观音寺

Daling Shan Guanyin Temple

      Dalingshan Guanyin Temple is located in the center of Shidong Scenic Area of Dalingshan Forest Park in Dongguan City. So far, it is the first self - funded and rebuilt temple in Dongguan. It is adjacent to four towns, namely Houjie Town, Humen Town, Chang'an Town and Dalingshan Town, with superior geographical location and convenient transportation conditions.

      It is recorded that Dalingshan Guanyin Temple was first built in the Ming Dynasty and has a history of three hundred years so far. The Guanyin Temple was once prosperous with incense and many eminent monks emerged. However, due to the changes of the times, the ancient temple was destroyed in the war. Its predecessor was the Guanyin Ancient Temple, which was just a small Earth God Temple. In 1914, it began to enshrine the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. During the Cultural Revolution, the ancient temple was basically abandoned. After the reform and opening - up, local believers built several small temples. But due to no one taking care of them, they became dilapidated and dangerous buildings over time.

      Around 1991, a Hong Kong resident rebuilt it on the original site and built a statue of Maitreya Buddha near the ancient temple.

      The Dharma does not arise in isolation; it flourishes when encountering favorable conditions. The interaction between the sentient beings' pious appeals and the Buddha's responses is truly inconceivable. In 2001, a monk vowed to revive the ancient temple. Starting from standardizing management and promoting the Dharma, he followed the teachings, solemnized the religious atmosphere, made extensive good - will contacts, led the congregation in cultivation, and guided them to establish correct knowledge, correct views and correct faith, leading the temple onto a healthy track of legalization, institutionalization and standardization. With the strong support of the local government and believers from all directions, the Earth Treasury Hall, the Medicine Buddha Hall, the Amitabha Hall and the Five - Observance Hall were expanded on the original basis.

      In 2010, the reconstruction of Guanyin Temple was launched. The overall planning of the reconstruction project covers an area of more than one hundred mu. Guanyin Temple adopts the hip - and - gable roof architecture imitating that of the Qing Dynasty. The hip - and - gable roof architecture has a steep and towering roof, with its four corners lightly upturned, looking delicate and magnificent. It has both the grandeur of the hip - roof architecture and the elegance of the pointed - roof architecture. The mountain gate, the Heavenly King Hall, the Main Buddha Hall, the Guanyin Pavilion, the Dharma Altar and the side halls are all complete.

      In 2013, the Main Buddha Hall was capped, and the construction of the temple entered the fast lane.

      In 2016, the reconstruction of Guanyin Temple entered the critical stage. So far, the construction of some main halls such as the Manjusri Hall, the Samantabhadra Hall, the Hall of the Avalokitesvara of Giving Sons, the Earth Treasury Hall, the Main Buddha Hall, the Jade Guanyin Pavilion and the Dharma Hall has been completed. The Manjusri Hall, the Samantabhadra Hall, the Hall of the Avalokitesvara of Giving Sons, the Earth Treasury Hall, the Main Buddha Hall and the Jade Guanyin Pavilion have been opened for believers to pay homage and offer incense. Currently, the internal decoration and the construction of the main parts of some halls are in progress. It is believed that in the near future, Guanyin Temple will stand in Dalingshan with a better appearance.