Hongming Temple, an ancient temple with the oldest Chinese scholar tree in Qingxu

Hongming Temple is located in Beiying Village, Qingxu County. It covers a large area. Interestingly, the temple gate does not face the village road, but backs onto it. The reason is unknown. Hongming Temple was originally called Guandi Temple. It was built in the Tang dynasty, destroyed during the Huichang Persecution of Buddhism, and rebuilt many times in the Ming and Qing dynasties. The main buildings today are relics of the Ming and Qing dynasties. From the outside, Hongming Temple is extraordinary, with stone lions, bell and drum towers, and a single-eave hip-and-gable roofed Hall of Heavenly Kings covered with yellow and green glazed tiles, which is grand and noble. Unlike other temples, the two-story row buildings on both sides of the courtyard can serve as courtyard walls. The courtyard is spacious, and directly opposite the mountain gate is a three-door double-eave stone archway. Behind the archway is the Ksitigarbha Hall, which enshrines the Guandi Shengjun. The murals on both sides are works of the Ming dynasty. We know that Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is the guardian deity of the temple and is generally a side hall on both sides of the central axis. Why is it moved to the center? Thinking of the original name of Hongming Temple, Guandi Temple, it makes sense. In front of the Ksitigarbha Hall, there is a thick Chinese scholar tree. The top has withered, and new branches have sprouted from the bottom. The tree has a diameter of 1.8 meters and was left from the early days of the temple. The tree is tied with red ribbons for blessings. This is the oldest Chinese scholar tree in Qingxu. The Mahavira Hall behind is resplendent and magnificent, enshrining the Three Treasures Buddha statues, which are solemn and ethereal. There are the Guanyin Hall and the Zhenwu Hall on the side of the hall, which is a combination of Buddhism and Taoism! Hongming Temple does not charge an entrance fee. You can park in front of the temple. It is only a few minutes' drive from Qingquan Temple in Qingxu County. It is a good place for tourism and worship.