The Longxing Monastery or Longxing Temple () is an ancient Buddhist monastery located in the town of Zhengding in Hebei Province, China, approximately north of the provincial capital of Shijiazhuang. It has been referred to as the "Best Temple south of Beijing".
History
thumb|left|Layout of Longxing Temple, by Liang Sicheng, 1933
The monastery was first built in AD 586, during the Sui dynasty. Its original name was Longcang monastery (). One of the oldest stelas on the grounds of the monastery, the "Longcangsi Stele" (), dates from the year the monastery's foundation. Much of it was reconstructed during the Song dynasty (AD 960–1279). It was restored several times in history and some of them are recorded, which happened in the 37th year of the Wanli Period, Ming dynasty (AD 1609), 34th year of Kangxi Period, Qing dynasty (AD 1695) and 41st year of Kangxi Period, Qing dynasty (AD 1702).
The Hall of the Four Heavenly Kings is 23.28m in length and 9.62m in width, with doors on both long sides, facing the south and north.
The hall was built in the Yuanfeng Period in the Song dynasty (AD 1078–1085) with the hip roof style, which is the highest level of roof styles in ancient China."
The structural system of Mani Hall was derived from Yingzao Fashi. Some researchers believe this group of statues was made in the 42nd year of the Jiajing Period of the Ming dynasty (AD 1563) according to a tablet embedded in the wall. Some opinions say it was built during the Song dynasty. They are regarded as some of the finest pieces in the history of Chinese paintings.
Precept Platform
thumb|The Jie tan (Precept Platform), view from the northwest|right
The Precept Platform () is the place for monks and worshipers to undertake the precepts of Buddhism and for Buddhist ceremonies.
The platform consists of a two-level square stone platform in the form of Xumi platform (a style of the stone platform in ancient Chinese architecture) and a wooden structure covering it.
There was a circle of cloister around, which was recorded by Liang Sicheng in 1933 when he did a survey in Longxing Temple. Zhuanlunzangs are not rare in history, but an early-built large one that was kept today like this in the Longxing Temple is rarely seen in other parts of the world.
The tower was constructed during the early Song dynasty and was restored during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties at the orders of the emperors.
- Piluzhena Hall () was constructed in 1959 to accommodate the statue of Piluzhena (Vairocana) moved here in the same year from the Chongyin Temple. The statue, in height, was finely designed in the appearance of a pagoda. It consists of a thousand individual statues of Piluzhena that are divided into three levels. It is the last building on the main axis and marks the north end of it.