Temple Guangxiao-si （广孝寺） which previously called as Temple of Bright Filial Piety is one of the most influencing and grandest old temples in China. It was the site where the 6th and last Patriarch of Chinese Zen Buddhism Rev. Huineng (六祖惠能 638-713) had his hair shaved and ordained as a monk. Reverent came from a very poor family and was entirely illiterate. He lived in the Temple for many years and the incidents relating to his awakening mind that free from attachments took place at this courtyard. In year 661, the 5th patriarch Master Hongren （五祖弘忍 601-675） gauged his capacity through the Zen poem he composed and transmitted the robe and ultimate dharma to him. He inherited the position of patriarch at the age of 24 but had hair cut fifteen years later. Temple Guangxiao-si can be considered as a cradle of the South Lineage Chinese Zen Buddhism founded by the 6th Patriarch in 7th century.
Temple Guangxiao-si with a history of 1700 years was established much earlier than the birth of Guangzhou City. The place was initially a private resident to Lord Nanyue-wang （南越王） of Western Han Dynasty (207BC-024AD) and occupied by Yufan (虞翻 164-233) who was a political adviser and expelled by his master, Sunquan of Wu Territory （吴国孙权） in Three Kingdom's period. After Yufan passed away, his family, dedicated the site as Zen Temple and named it as Zhizhi-si （制止寺） or called it Yufan Shrine. The Scale of temple kept on expanding and gradually developed into an important Buddhist Center during Tang Dynasty (618-905). The name was changed to Baoen-guangxiao-si （报恩广孝寺）in year 1150 but later simplified to Guangxiao-si （光孝寺） that was applied until today
In 17th century, Temple Guangxiao-si was once being occupied as a military camp and examination site for Imperial tests by Qing Government. And in early 20th, it was used by several schools and educational centers. When it was possessed by the Communists Arts College in 1949, many of its heritage and cultural relics were destroyed by the students. Nevertheless, it still could not ran away as a focus of vandalism in Cultural Revolution. All written materials and profiles were burnt and most of its historical stele were all gone. The temple was finally restored and repaired in year 1974 and fully resumed in 1986.
The Mahavira Main Shrine Hall measured at about 36 meters in length by 25 meters in width with height 14 meters, was constructed in year 401 during Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420). The structure sits on a platform guarded with Bell and Drum Towers by its sides. Though went through several repairs and restoration, the aspect maintained. The magnificent and elegant building of Mahavira Hall is indeed an architectural heritage treasure in China.
The Drum Tower that was first built in Song Dynasty (960-1126) and repaired in year 1611, had been demolished. The present structure was constructed in 1990 at its original site opposite Bell Tower.
Structures established during Song Dynasty (960-1127) remained at site include The 6th Patriarch Hall to commemorate Master Huineng, and Qielan Hall (伽蓝殿） to enshrine Bodhisattva of monastery protector. The building of 6th Patriarch Hall was built behind Sangharama Hall in front of the Bodhi Tree.
Many heritage structures and cultural relics of Temple were destroyed during its calamitous period, but fortunately, quite a number were preserved. The Alms Bowl washing spring of Bodhidharma was dug in year 527. The 7-storey Pagoda that concealed the hair of Patriarch Huineng was built in 676. The 2meters high mushroom shaped Dharain Pillars （大悲幢） engraved with mantra of Mahakaruna Dharani Sutra (大悲咒) on its eight sides, were made with blue stone in year 826. The 380 years old Helin Stele （诃林碑） in Heavenly King Hall was inscribed in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
Chinese Zen Master Bodhidharma left his mark in the temple in early 6th century. There are also some traces of Indian monks who came here to do translation with Empress Wuzetian's ministry officers in Tang Dynasty. It was believed that the translation of Surangama Sutra was done in Guangxiao-si.
Haitaki Tree is kind of ancient tree （诃子树）with history dated back to nearly 2000 years. During the stay of Yufan in Three Kingdoms Period, he planted many Haitaki Tree in the garden and this is the only one left at site.
The Bodhi Tree behind the 6th Patriarch Hall near Yifa Pagoda, was the original sapling brought back from India by Rev. Zhiyao （智药法师） in year 502. It was the mother tree of all Bodhi trees planted in China's Buddhist temples.
The Octagonal Yifa Pagoda (瘗发塔) measured at a height of 25 feet with 7 storey, was built in Tang Dynasty in year 676 as a memorial to Patriarch Huineng. The master had his hair shaved by the abbot at Guangxiao-si at the age of 39, fifteen years after he inherited the position of Patriarch. His hair was initially buried under the Bodhi Tree until the Pagoda was built for it.
Each tier of Yifa Pagoda has eight altar, each enshrined with a Buddha image.
To close contact with this oldest iron tower hidden inside a store room was such an overwhelming moment for us. We had been asking around for this structure and finally a monk pointed at one direction and answered: "It stands there, may be you see may be you not...". We went on to look around but no trace of it at all. When we stood in front of an old building and prepare to leave, we found the structure inside the storing building in front of us. It was locked inside and we could only peep through the iron grilled window to have a blur picture in the dark. We were already satisfied to have a look of it but at this moment, there was a dharma worker suddenly appeared with a chain of key. He unlocked and opened the door of the building (may be to take something) and upon our request, he allowed us to enter and take a close look of this wonderful treasure. This was incredible. We may not be always have good luck but we were greatly blessed with triple gems this time.
East Iron Tower is the oldest of this kind in China that remains intact. It was constructed in year 967 by Emperor Liuzhang （刘伥 958-971)). The Tower was in seven levels, with carvings of nearly 1000 shrines at its exterior surface, each houses a small exquisite Buddha image. The entire structure was said to have gilded in gold when it was first built.
The seven tiers iron pagoda was square in shape with height of 7.69 meters. It sits on a lotus seat placed on a stone base ornamented with carvings of coiled dragons. The thousand years old heritage relic is so beautiful.
Another similar structure was the West Iron Tower which was built four years earlier than the East Tower in year 963. It remains only three tiers. The upper levels were destroyed during the war time in early 20th when a building collapsed and fell over it.
Both East and West Iron Towers were the products from Nan-Han Kingdom (915-971) of Five Dynasty. East Tower was built by Emperor Liuzhang （刘伥 958-971). West Tower was contributed by a palace eunuch Gong Tenshu （龚澄枢）and his disciple named Deng-sanshisan-niang (邓三十三娘).
Temple inner corners.
The lovely little stone sculpture .
Liberation pond.
The famous Stanza composed Rev. Shengxiu, read as:
身是菩提树，心如明镜台; 时时勤拂拭，勿使惹尘埃。
Body is a Bodhi Tree, Mind as a standing mirror bright
At all times polish it diligently, Let no dust alight
The famous Stanza composed by Rev. Huinan that made Master Hongren the fifth Patriarch decided to inherit him as the 6th Patriarch, read as:
菩提本非书，明镜亦非台；本来无一物，何处惹尘埃。
Bodhi originally without a tree, Bright mirror is also not a stand
Originally, there is no a single thing, where could any dust be drawn
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