The Construction History of Guang Hai Temple
In the forty-fourth year of Kangxi (1705), a monk named Cheng Heng saw the excellent geomantic omen in this area, and built a treasure hall named Putuo Temple on the east side of Guandao Road, three miles away from the south gate. Due to the vast surrounding terrain, Putuo Temple is particularly majestic, so that the incense here is flourishing and famous for a while. 17 19, Emperor Kangxi made a southern tour and was stationed in Tianjin. Cheng Heng, a Buddhist monk who works in poetry and painting, greeted him at Xidian. Kang Xixing will arrive, so he named Putuo Temple Guang Hai Temple. He not only inscribed a plaque, but also gave two couplets to Guang Hai Temple, one of which was "Fish Mountain in Xiangta, Yan Bin in Zen Hall"; The other is "the moon should be empty, and the smallpox scattered stars." If there is something good in the world, it will inevitably follow. The favor of the emperor really brought good luck to Guang Hai Temple, so that officials and businessmen donated money to repair and expand Guang Hai Temple on a large scale. The expanded Guanghai Temple is not only spacious, but also has two canals dug half a mile around the temple, namely the inner river and the outer river of Guanghai Temple. The inland river is five to eight feet wide and six feet deep; Waihe River is 20 feet wide and 5 feet deep, and around it10,000 willow trees are planted, thus greatly improving the environment of Guang Hai Temple. The two canals lead to Cheng Hao in the north, Hejiakou in the southeast, and there are gates in the south to draw the tide of Haihe River, which can be drawn in times of drought and drained in times of flood. Xiping Bridge is built in the north of the temple. Among the "Ten Scenes of Golden Gate" at that time, there was a so-called "Pingqiao Snow" right here. Nanping Bridge is built in the south of the temple, connecting the surrounding villages and towns of 100. In the northwest corner of the temple, there are official roads under the bridge, and there are several thatched rafters at the bridge head. South of the bridge, the poplars are sandwiched by the shore, and the red lotus is hidden. It is rare for tourists to grow into an episode in spring and summer. Therefore, this bridge is called Happiness Bridge, and it is also a famous scenic spot. In addition, there is a clear bridge above the ring canal, which is also well known. According to legend, grapes were planted all around Guang Hai Temple at that time, so it was also called Grape Temple.