Jiangsu | Jingye Temple, Ancient Yet New

Originally named Maitreya Monastery, Jingye Temple is located on North Street of Jiangyan Town. During the Yixi era of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, it was rebuilt as Jingye Chan Temple. For centuries, it has been a thriving center of worship with resonant Buddhist chants, attracting devotees and literati from all directions. The Jingye Temple we see today is a reconstruction situated on the eastern highlands of Jiangyan Town's southern outskirts. Facing south, the temple complex consists of four main halls arranged in sequence: the Mountain Gate Hall, Heavenly King Hall, Grand Buddha Hall, and Guanyin Hall, all enshrining Buddhist deities according to traditional temple conventions. The temple appears not yet fully completed. At dusk when darkness approaches, the entire compound stands empty and somewhat desolate.