Kaiyuan Temple: A Thousand Years of Sacred Vigil

In the southeast corner of China, there is a city called Teochew. In the very center of this city stands a temple called Kaiyuan Temple(开元寺).

The Beginning of Kaiyuan

The story of Kaiyuan Temple begins with Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty(唐玄宗).

Kaiyuan Temple in Teochew was originally known as Lifeng Temple(荔峰寺). In 738 AD, Emperor Xuanzong had been in power for over two decades, during a period of national prosperity and cultural flourishing known as the Kaiyuan Flourishing Age (开元盛世). The emperor issued an edict to select ten major prefectures nationwide to build grand Buddhist temples, each named “Kaiyuan,” with Kaiyuan Temple in Teochew being one of them.

During this period, Buddhism had already reached a high level of maturity in China. Since its introduction during the Eastern Han Dynasty, it had undergone stages of scripture translation, temple construction, and growth in the number of believers, coexisting with Confucianism and Daoism, and gradually integrating into the daily life of local society. Against this backdrop, Buddhist temples were constructed across the country, serving as places of education, sites of faith, and carriers of local culture and power.

Teochew, located near the South China Sea and connected to the Maritime Silk Road(海上丝绸之路), became an important transportation and trade hub, and naturally a key node in the southward transmission of Buddhism. The Kaiyuan Temple was born on this land where cultures intersected.  “Kaiyuan” is not merely an era name but also a symbol of China's open and inclusive culture. The Kaiyuan Temple thus bears the spiritual imprint of its era.

The Beauty of Stillness

Upon entering Kaiyuan Temple, the first thing that catches the eye is the Grand Hall(大雄宝殿), which is majestic and solemn. The hall stands tall, with sturdy beams and columns, each wooden beam and bracket showcasing the ingenuity of ancient craftsmen. The eaves on both sides of the roof rise upward, as if about to soar into the sky, transporting visitors back to that prosperous era. The stone pillars are adorned with coiled dragons, a masterpiece of Teochew artisans who infused their faith into their craftsmanship. The stone pillars are adorned with coiled dragons, a masterpiece of Teochew artisans who infused their faith into their craftsmanship. The artifacts housed within the temple are also worth lingering over. A Song Dynasty bronze bell, a Yuan Dynasty stone stele, and Ming and Qing Dynasty stone lions—these treasures, like pearls left behind by time, quietly connect the temple's thousand-year history.

Like most ancient architecture, Kaiyuan Temple has been destroyed by war on multiple occasions but has been rebuilt time and again. Each restoration is both a continuation and a form of protection.

Everyday Faith

The people of Teochew say, “As long as the city stands, the temple stands.” For them, Kaiyuan Temple is not only a sacred Buddhist site but also an integral part of their daily lives.

On the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month, the temple grounds are filled with the scent of incense, and the sounds of wooden fish and bells echo harmoniously. Elders hold children's hands, quietly instructing them on the proper order of lighting incense; young people silently pray before the Buddha, seeking academic success, smooth career paths, and stable businesses, or sometimes, simply a prayer for healing—for a loved one, or for themselves; and some elderly people simply sit quietly under the temple's eaves, watching the comings and goings of people, as if engaging in a wordless conversation with the Buddha, an old friend.

Kaiaura and Kaiyuan Temple

Kaiaura was born out of a quest for Eastern spirituality and tranquil beauty, and its name derives from the Kaiyuan Temple, which has stood silently through thousands of years of wind and rain.

In the year 738 AD, during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, the Kaiyuan Temple was established. It served not only as a pivotal point for the spread of Buddhism to the south but also as a tangible embodiment of China's philosophy—Harmony between heaven, earth, and humanity(天地人和). philosophy. Here, religion does not stand aloof but coexists with daily life, embodying people's aspirations for peace, health, and hope.

Kaiaura adopts this name to continue this spirit of “strength in stillness.” “Kai” signifies opening and origin, symbolizing the courage to explore inward; “Aura” represents the flowing energy field and vitality of life. We hope that every Kaiaura product serves as a sanctuary of peace, offering modern people moments of healing and return.

In a noisy world, preserving a pure land. This is the timeless mission of Kaiyuan Temple, and also the founding purpose of Kaiaura.