Donglin Temple

Donglin Temple, located southwest of Jiujiang at the foot of Lushan, is the cradle of Sukhavati Sect.

Donglin Temple was built in 386 for the monk Hui Yuan (334-416), founder of the Pure Land sect of Buddhism. Hui Yuan spent many years translating Buddhist scriptures. The temple reached its zenith in the Tang dynasty with a vast library of scriptures and over 300 halls and residences. Jian Zhen, an eminent monk of the Tang Dynasty, once stayed here on his way Japan to spread Buddhism.

Donglin Temple was damaged during the Taiping Rebellion. Nearby is the Xilin Pagoda, all that remains of an earlier monastery complex.