Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Temple

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Temple, one of the so-called "Nine Palaces and Eighteen Temples", stands in the No. 28 Middle School in Ciqikou Ancient Town. It is composed of two buildings with upturned eaves, red bricks and green tiles.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Temple in Ciqikou – Origin of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva

The name of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva in Chinese means containing and forgiving all things on the earth, and the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was enshrined in this temple before and appreciated equal fame with Avalokitesvara, Samantabhadra, and Manjusri. According to the historical records, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva has taken a vow to the Sakyamuni (the founder of Buddhism) that he would save all the lives before his extrication. Thus Sakyamuni has been awarded the responsibility of relieving the evil soul in the hell.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Temple in Ciqikou – Legend

The legend of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva has been changed according with Chinese folk custom when it came into China. There is one legend saying that Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was reincarnated to be the prince of the State of Xinluo on July 15th of Chinese lunar calendar the same time during the reign of Li Shimin of Tang Dynasty. Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva has been attained the Buddha on July 30th. Thus numbers of believers come to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Temple for asking help.

There is another legend saying that Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was once invited from the master of Jiuhuan Mountain. The master granted a field of cassock's (just at the size of cassock) to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva which encircled the whole Jiuhua Mountain with silks of the clothing. In this way, Jiuhua Mountain became the ashram of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. Later, the master and his son were devout Buddhists and then followers of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Temple in Ciqikou – Attraction

The scale of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Temple was large and owned lots of worshipers, which still almost maintained the same style as before suffering changing of years. Furthermore, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Temple is one of the important origins of Sha – Ci Culture. In 1933, Sichuan Countryside Construction Institute was founded, and it was here that the famous scholar Liang Shuming initiated the Countryside Construction Movement with Prof. Luo Jialun, the president of Central University at that time. Sichuan Countryside Construction Institute was later replaced by Sichuan Provincial Education College, which was combined with National Women Normal College into the Southwest Normal College. Southwest Agriculture College was set up at the same time. After Liberation, both of them moved into Beibei District.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Temple has been formed as War Museum of Chongqing Municipality.