The historical origins of Beizhao Temple

Beizhao Temple has a long history. It existed as early as the Jin Dynasty. The temple is located at the seat of the Xuchang overseas Chinese exile government in the Liang Dynasty. According to the "Fuyang County Chronicle" written by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty: "At the beginning of Zhongda Tong Dynasty, Emperor Huaibei was acquired, and the overseas Chinese established Xuchang County as the county seat of Beichenliu Yingzhou County." During the Daye period of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, Qingqiu City was built here. During the rise and fall of Qingqiu City, the "Yingzhou Prefecture Chronicles" recorded during the Zhengde reign of Emperor Wuzong of the Ming Dynasty recorded: "Thirty-six miles east of the state, on the north bank of the Ying River, a county was established during the Daye reign of the Sui Dynasty, which belonged to Ruyin County, and Wude (Tang Dynasty) During the Zhenguan period, the county was abolished, which is now Beizhao Temple, commonly known as Qingqiu Village." Based on this statement, Beizhao Temple should be built before Qingqiu County was established. At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, before Zhu Yuanzhang proclaimed himself emperor, he lived in Beizhao Temple because of his poor family. Seeing that he was smart, the abbot left him in the temple to take care of his food. Zhu Yuanzhang cut his hair and became a monk out of gratitude. Because of his high understanding, he was deeply loved by people. Appreciation from the Abbot.

Later, Liu Futong's Red Scarf Army passed by here, and Zhu Yuanzhang joined the Red Scarf Army and later became the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty. In the 25th year of Hongwu's reign in the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, who became emperor, allocated two ounces of silver to build Beizhao Temple out of gratitude to him. Considering that the emperor wanted to do good to the world and shine a light on the world, he changed its name to Shanxian Temple, which means "do good deeds and be happy, and be good at observing the scenery of the world." In the 35th year of Hongwu's reign, Shanxian Temple was burned down by rebels. After the rebels were quelled, it was rebuilt again in the early years of Yongle and renamed Suyuan Temple. The origin of this name is: King Yan once set up troops and camped in Beijing with his father Zhu Yuanzhang. After he became emperor, he did not forget his (old) fate, hence the name. During the Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China, it was renamed Beizhao Temple, which is still in use today. According to the Records of Yingzhou during the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty, "Emperor Gao, Taizu of the Ming Dynasty, once sent troops to station here." This shows that Zhu Yuanzhang had a very special relationship with Beizhao Temple. In addition, the "Fuyang County Chronicle" of the Qianlong period also contains: "The Ming Taizu stationed here, and it was built under the imperial edict in the early Hongwu period." The state annals of Yingzhou at the end of the Ming Dynasty record that "35 miles east of the county, Beizhao Temple in the present Ming Dynasty was once said to have been built by the Ming Emperor Taizu in the early days of Hongwu."

It is said that after Zhu Yuanzhang conquered the world, he planned to build the capital here. He asked military adviser Liu Bowen for advice. Liu Bowen looked around and quickly shook his head: "No"! Zhu Yuanzhang disagreed, "Why?" Liu Bowen pointed and said: "Your Majesty, you see this place is high on all sides and low in the middle. It is for enclosure and is not suitable for a capital." After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said yes, but Zhu Yuanzhang, who believed deeply in Buddhism, was still reluctant to leave. , and asked: "What do you think we should do?" Liu Bowen thought for a while and said, "Just move a stone's throw south." Zhu Yuanzhang took a hard skill from the hands of his entourage, and moved his arms towards the front with all his strength. Nan shot an arrow. It happened to be a coincidence. At that moment, a phoenix came out of the sky. It bit the arrow in its mouth. After circling in the air, it flew straight to the southeast. Liu Bowen shouted, "Hurry up." The warrior They jumped on their horses, shook their reins and whipped their whips, waded into the water, and crossed the mountains. Strange to say, the phoenix seemed to have spiritual energy. The horse jogged and it flew slowly, the horse galloped and it flew fast. One chased it to the north bank of Pukou of the Yangtze River. Because The Yangtze River blocked the men and horses, so the warriors could only stop and observe. After crossing the Yangtze River, they saw the phoenix landing on a tall ancient tree in Jinling. It put down the arrow, screamed three times, and flew into the sky without knowing where it was going. Zhu Yuanzhang believed that it was destiny, so he made Jinling his capital. Later generations built a Phoenix Tower where the Phoenix fell.