Great Virtue Temple

Biodata

Background / History

Great Virtue Temple was one of the dominant powers of the Treasure Temple Domain, competing with the Golden Thread Pavilion for regional control. Its influence extended through a network of Glazed Pagodas and subordinate temples, while its strength lay in its large population of cultivators and numerous high-ranking Buddhist figures. 191 232 362

The temple publicly presented itself as a protector of ordinary people and a force dedicated to eliminating demons. Its pagodas gathered believers, provided nominal protection to cities, and hosted monks who received incense offerings and prayers on the temple's behalf. 189 235 258

Yang An entered the organization undercover after passing the Buddha Gathering trials in Heavenly Buddha City. His Buddhist techniques caused the temple to recognize him as a Holy Child and reincarnation of a True Buddha; he was brought to the Land of Great Virtue and Goodness, tonsured, and given the Dharma name Yuan Ji. 241 242 245

While inside the temple, Yang An discovered that the Myriad Buddha Hall concealed the Immeasurable Prison, where demons and even a former Bodhisattva were confined. He also witnessed the Huan Kan Festival, during which monks openly attacked one another to absorb demonic obstructions and cultivation. 251 253 269

During the Huan Kan Festival, Yang An destroyed the Four Gate Pavilions and killed their guardian Qing Sha before leaving the temple. The destruction caused cracks and black mist to spread beneath the temple grounds, exposing instability connected to the Immeasurable Prison. 277 280

Great Virtue Temple later fought a major war against the Golden Thread Pavilion. Although it fielded superior numbers of Flesh Rupture and Stiff God cultivators, it lacked an Immortal Platform Realm expert, a weakness that drove its leadership's desperation to create one. 362 363 281

The temple ultimately collapsed when Yang An returned during its final crisis. He destroyed Haishu's dharma body with the Lighting Method and Great Light Floating World, leveling the Great Virtue Temple and ending it as an active power. 377 380

Temple Grounds

• The Land of Great Virtue and Goodness was larger than a major city and surrounded by eight colossal, hundred-zhang Buddhist statues covered in brilliant glaze. 242 243
• The entrance bore the words “Great Virtue and Goodness” alongside ancient Sanskrit characters that exerted an oppressive aura. 242
• Its streets contained temples, meditation courtyards, residences, Buddha statues, golden effigies, and vast numbers of robed cultivators. 242 243 244
• Monks in plain gray robes performed kneeling and kowtow rituals when important processions passed through the grounds. 243
• The Clear Mind Zen Courtyard housed lavish Zen rooms reserved for important temple members, including Buddha Children. 244
• The Myriad Buddha Hall was the temple's central hall and concealed the Immeasurable Prison beneath it. 251 253
• The Precept Holding Courtyard confined cultivators suffering from demonic obstructions or karmic fire. 243
• The Four Gate Pavilions stood in the temple's four directions and contained Sanskrit-inscribed memorial steles; all four were destroyed during the Huan Kan Festival. 277 280

Organization

Rank Hierarchy

Disciple Training

• Great Virtue Temple maintained four disciple academies for cultivators with talent and Buddhist affinity. 244
• Buddha Children did not enter the ordinary academies; Bodhisattvas personally trained them as potential future leaders. 244
• The temple used seventy-two scripture scrolls to plant a “seed of Buddha” in a reciter's subconscious, fostering devotion to Buddhist cultivation and loyalty to the temple. 248
• Cultivators advanced in status through cultivation and contributions, gaining access to additional resources and authority. 254 257

Resource Network

Faith and Recruitment

• Great Virtue Temple established a Glazed Pagoda in every managed city or province. The resident guardian monk was regarded as the city's protector and representative of the temple's blessings. 189 232 258
• Each prefecture's main city hosted a Buddha Gathering every three years, where participants listened to scriptures and sought selection as “fated” entrants to the temple. 233
• The gathering admitted rogue cultivators, sect members, and ordinary mortals, making it the primary public route into Great Virtue Temple. 233
• Candidates who passed the scripture-listening test were brought to Yan'an Temple for the Three Heart Verification Trials, including tests of truth, inner nature, and karmic burden. 238 240
• The annual Lion Buddha Festival required followers in pagoda-administered areas to remain indoors before Hai Shi and await the Lion Buddha Mi Ta's blessing in dreams. 189
• The Huan Kan Festival permitted monks to release their inner demons without restraint; it devolved into violence as participants attacked one another to absorb demonic obstructions and power. 267 269
• Temple leadership regarded the Huan Kan Festival as part of its effort to produce an Immortal Platform Realm cultivator. 281

Relationships

• Golden Thread Pavilion — Primary rival for control of the Treasure Temple Domain; the two powers fought a prolonged war that ended with Great Virtue Temple's destruction. 191 354 380
• Fate Crane Sect — Sworn enemy. Chan Master Qingyin led a demon-slaying attack against Old Man Fate Crane and the sect. 160 189
• Yang An / Yuan Ji — Undercover infiltrator recognized as a Buddha Child; he destroyed the Four Gate Pavilions, later killed Haishu, and leveled the temple. 245 280 377
• Bodhisattva Haishu — Leading Bodhisattva who personally trained Yang An and managed the temple's deeper affairs, including the Immeasurable Prison. 245 253 333
• Bodhisattva Hai Si — Bodhisattva who protected the temple's Zen Masters during the Huan Kan Festival and attempted to bargain with Yang An. 276
• Haixin — Imprisoned Bodhisattva connected to the Immeasurable Prison; survived the temple's destruction after Yang An rescued him. 375 378
• Forbidden Calamity / Jin'e — Former Bodhisattva of Great Virtue Temple who later protected Nirvana City after falling from the organization. 348 380

Notable Quote

“To eliminate demons and protect the peace of all living beings under heaven is the duty of my Great Virtue Temple.” — Chan Master Qingyin 160