歷史沿革
綜述
永寧寺(si)舊址位于(yu)鹽城(cheng)縣城(cheng)北八字巷(今鹽城(cheng)中學東南角),始建于(yu)唐武德三年(nian)(620年(nian)),是唐代三十六大寺(si)之(zhi)一。至清末仍為五(wu)進(jin)大殿。南
宋建炎三(san)年(nian)(nian)(1129年(nian)(nian))抗(kang)金(jin)名將韓(han)世(shi)忠(zhong)設中(zhong)軍帳于寺(si)(si)內(nei),岳飛曾四(si)次到永(yong)寧寺(si)(si)與韓(han)世(shi)忠(zhong)、梁紅(hong)玉(yu)夫婦商討抗(kang)金(jin)大(da)計。韓(han)世(shi)忠(zhong)夫婦晚(wan)年(nian)(nian)即隱居于此。抗(kang)戰(zhan)時期,永(yong)寧寺(si)(si)方(fang)丈雪松法師積極投(tou)身抗(kang)日救亡運動(dong),并以己中(zhong)醫之長搶(qiang)救新(xin)四(si)軍傷病員,被劉少(shao)奇、陳毅譽為“革命和(he)尚(shang)”。永(yong)寧寺(si)(si)亦被毀(hui)于日軍炮火。
1993年初,鹽(yan)(yan)城市(shi)(shi)人民政府決定異地(di)重建永寧寺,現址位于鹽(yan)(yan)城市(shi)(shi)海純路12號。坐北朝南(nan),占地(di)40畝(mu)。
后經過十年建設,永寧寺(si)基本上恢復了(le)原有規模,再現了(le)昔日(ri)十方(fang)叢林景象。先后接待過香港、臺灣地區和新加坡等國(guo)佛教(jiao)界人士(shi)以(yi)及國(guo)內(nei)外(wai)香客游人。永寧寺(si)業(ye)已成為鹽城市弘揚(yang)佛教(jiao)和游覽觀光的(de)一處勝(sheng)地。
歷史記載
據《續修(xiu)鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)縣(xian)(xian)(xian)志(zhi)》記載"該寺(si)(si)(si)(si)殿(dian)(dian)宇(yu)高聳金(jin)碧,涌(yong)現(xian)于百里(li)之(zhi)(zhi)外,昔(xi)人(ren)(ren)(ren)泛(fan)海者,以(yi)此為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)指南車。"八字紅墻外有(you)(you)(you)照壁(bi),紅墻中(zhong)央(yang)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)頭殿(dian)(dian),兩側供有(you)(you)(you)泥塑(su)哼哈二(er)將(jiang)(jiang)(jiang),正中(zhong)供奉裝金(jin)彌(mi)勒佛。二(er)殿(dian)(dian)有(you)(you)(you)10丈見(jian)方的(de)(de)(de)(de)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)井(jing),中(zhong)鋪石(shi)板(ban),天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)井(jing)正北為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)大(da)(da)雄寶殿(dian)(dian),題曰:"淮寺(si)(si)(si)(si)第一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi),蓋不(bu)虛(xu)云"。建(jian)(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)(zhu)宏(hong)偉(wei)壯觀,為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)蘇北少見(jian)的(de)(de)(de)(de)大(da)(da)型斗拱結構。殿(dian)(dian)身為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)7間(jian)歇山(shan)雙(shuang)重(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)檐,無梁(liang)無檁(lin),集拱、飛(fei)吊、抖(dou)、平(ping)座、爵頭、額、柱、鋪作(zuo)、伏(fu)緣于一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)體(ti)(ti),設(she)計之(zhi)(zhi)精巧,堪稱一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)絕,殿(dian)(dian)頂有(you)(you)(you)七七四(si)(si)(si)十(shi)九格藻井(jing)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)花,圖案古樸別致。殿(dian)(dian)東西(xi)兩側有(you)(you)(you)金(jin)裝十(shi)八羅漢。殿(dian)(dian)中(zhong)供奉3尊(zun)如來(lai)三世佛,高l丈余,佛身魁偉(wei),貼金(jin)呈古銅色,背面有(you)(you)(you)表飾白象及若(ruo)干(gan)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)神(shen)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)將(jiang)(jiang)(jiang)的(de)(de)(de)(de)立(li)體(ti)(ti)雕塑(su),殿(dian)(dian)后(hou)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)井(jing)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)藏經(jing)樓,是2層古建(jian)(jian)(jian)筑(zhu)(zhu),內(nei)有(you)(you)(you)經(jing)柜(ju)若(ruo)干(gan),藏經(jing)萬(wan)卷。永(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si)(si)(si)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)何有(you)(you)(you)如此規模?據《舊唐書·地(di)理志(zhi)》載:"隋末盜韋(wei)徹(che)據其地(di),置射(she)州及射(she)陽(yang)、安樂(le)(le)、新安三縣(xian)(xian)(xian),唐武(wu)(wu)德四(si)(si)(si)年(nian)(nian)(nian) (公元(yuan)621年(nian)(nian)(nian))來(lai)歸,武(wu)(wu)德七年(nian)(nian)(nian) (公元(yuan)624年(nian)(nian)(nian)),廢射(she)州,仍(reng)置鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)縣(xian)(xian)(xian)"。說的(de)(de)(de)(de)是隋末,天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)下(xia)大(da)(da)亂,民(min)(min)不(bu)聊生,群雄四(si)(si)(si)起。有(you)(you)(you)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)位農(nong)民(min)(min)起義頭領(ling)(ling)韋(wei)徹(che),在(zai)(zai)(zai)(zai)隋大(da)(da)業十(shi)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)年(nian)(nian)(nian)(公元(yuan)615年(nian)(nian)(nian)),帶領(ling)(ling)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)支(zhi)起義軍(jun)(jun),攻克了(le)(le)濱海重(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)鎮(zhen)鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),在(zai)(zai)(zai)(zai)鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)稱王,置射(she)州,將(jiang)(jiang)(jiang)鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)分(fen)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)三,即射(she)陽(yang)、新安、安樂(le)(le)三縣(xian)(xian)(xian)(后(hou)二(er)縣(xian)(xian)(xian)縣(xian)(xian)(xian)治今鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)都縣(xian)(xian)(xian)樓王鎮(zhen)西(xi)北丁(ding)馬港和(he)建(jian)(jian)(jian)湖縣(xian)(xian)(xian)慶豐鎮(zhen)西(xi)南的(de)(de)(de)(de)上成莊(zhuang))。韋(wei)徹(che)在(zai)(zai)(zai)(zai)鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)南門(今鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)中(zhong)學(xue))修(xiu)筑(zhu)(zhu)了(le)(le)臨時宮(gong)(gong)殿(dian)(dian),他(ta)(ta)在(zai)(zai)(zai)(zai)鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)統(tong)(tong)治達(da)七年(nian)(nian)(nian)之(zhi)(zhi)久。唐武(wu)(wu)德四(si)(si)(si)年(nian)(nian)(nian),唐高祖李(li)(li)淵(yuan)派(pai)堂弟、淮安王李(li)(li)神(shen)通(tong)征討韋(wei)徹(che),大(da)(da)敗(bai)(bai)而(er)逃,差點被韋(wei)徹(che)活(huo)捉(zhuo)。后(hou)韋(wei)徹(che)見(jian)李(li)(li)淵(yuan)統(tong)(tong)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)天(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)(tian)下(xia)大(da)(da)勢已定(ding),主(zhu)動(dong)請降,李(li)(li)淵(yuan)仍(reng)封他(ta)(ta)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)王。三年(nian)(nian)(nian)后(hou),韋(wei)徹(che)病逝。李(li)(li)淵(yuan)下(xia)令(ling)撤射(she)州及所屬(shu)三縣(xian)(xian)(xian),仍(reng)恢復鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)縣(xian)(xian)(xian)。臨時宮(gong)(gong)殿(dian)(dian)被拆除,在(zai)(zai)(zai)(zai)宮(gong)(gong)殿(dian)(dian)原(yuan)址上建(jian)(jian)(jian)了(le)(le)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)座大(da)(da)寺(si)(si)(si)(si)廟,稱"護國永(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)禪寺(si)(si)(si)(si)",意(yi)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)此處供奉神(shen)靈,永(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)久安寧(ning)(ning),不(bu)再(zai)有(you)(you)(you)造反者出現(xian)。永(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si)(si)(si)經(jing)歷代修(xiu)葺(qi),一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)直保持完好。清末仍(reng)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)五進(jin)(jin)大(da)(da)殿(dian)(dian),兩廂配(pei)殿(dian)(dian),還有(you)(you)(you)眾多僧房。山(shan)門內(nei)有(you)(you)(you)唐初程(cheng)咬(yao)金(jin)手(shou)植古柏一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)株(zhu),主(zhu)干(gan)幾人(ren)(ren)(ren)聯手(shou)方可合抱。宋(song)高宗(zong)南渡后(hou),御營平(ping)寇左將(jiang)(jiang)(jiang)軍(jun)(jun)韓(han)世忠(zhong)與夫人(ren)(ren)(ren)梁(liang)紅玉坐鎮(zhen)淮陽(yang),南宋(song)建(jian)(jian)(jian)炎(yan)三年(nian)(nian)(nian) (公元(yuan)1129年(nian)(nian)(nian))粘罕(han)率大(da)(da)軍(jun)(jun)分(fen)兩路包(bao)抄淮陽(yang),韓(han)世忠(zhong)兵(bing)敗(bai)(bai)后(hou)撤,在(zai)(zai)(zai)(zai)鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)駐軍(jun)(jun)三月(yue),中(zhong)軍(jun)(jun)帳就設(she)在(zai)(zai)(zai)(zai)永(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si)(si)(si)內(nei)。抗(kang)(kang)(kang)戰初期(qi),永(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si)(si)(si)在(zai)(zai)(zai)(zai)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)次(ci)(ci)暴(bao)風雨(yu)中(zhong)遭(zao)雷擊起火,毀了(le)(le)古柏和(he)部(bu)份殿(dian)(dian)宇(yu)。日(ri)(ri)軍(jun)(jun)進(jin)(jin)攻鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)前(qian),駐鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)的(de)(de)(de)(de)國民(min)(min)黨軍(jun)(jun)主(zhu)動(dong)放棄鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),縱火燒城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),永(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si)(si)(si)又一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)次(ci)(ci)遭(zao)到(dao)嚴重(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)破壞。皖南事變(bian)后(hou),新四(si)(si)(si)軍(jun)(jun)在(zai)(zai)(zai)(zai)鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)重(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)建(jian)(jian)(jian)軍(jun)(jun)部(bu),代軍(jun)(jun)長(chang)陳毅、政(zheng)委劉(liu)少奇(qi)(qi)幾次(ci)(ci)到(dao)永(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si)(si)(si),看望住持雪松法師(shi)。成立(li)鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)縣(xian)(xian)(xian)抗(kang)(kang)(kang)日(ri)(ri)民(min)(min)主(zhu)政(zheng)府時,雪松法師(shi)擔任了(le)(le)鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)縣(xian)(xian)(xian)參(can)議會參(can)議員(yuan)。他(ta)(ta)在(zai)(zai)(zai)(zai)陳毅、劉(liu)少奇(qi)(qi)等領(ling)(ling)導人(ren)(ren)(ren)的(de)(de)(de)(de)教(jiao)(jiao)育幫助下(xia),擁(yong)護共產黨的(de)(de)(de)(de)抗(kang)(kang)(kang)日(ri)(ri)民(min)(min)族統(tong)(tong)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)戰線主(zhu)張,積極參(can)加抗(kang)(kang)(kang)日(ri)(ri)文化宣傳活(huo)動(dong),組織了(le)(le)鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)縣(xian)(xian)(xian)佛教(jiao)(jiao)界抗(kang)(kang)(kang)日(ri)(ri)救護隊,自任教(jiao)(jiao)官,以(yi)自己會中(zhong)醫的(de)(de)(de)(de)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)技(ji)之(zhi)(zhi)長(chang),救護過(guo)不(bu)少新四(si)(si)(si)軍(jun)(jun)傷(shang)病員(yuan)。他(ta)(ta)還冒著生命危險,掩護過(guo)共產黨的(de)(de)(de)(de)干(gan)部(bu)胡揚、蘇海、還寄萍、李(li)(li)寄農(nong)等人(ren)(ren)(ren),陳毅、劉(liu)少奇(qi)(qi)稱他(ta)(ta);革命和(he)尚"。日(ri)(ri)軍(jun)(jun)占領(ling)(ling)鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)后(hou),永(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si)(si)(si)僧眾逃散,殿(dian)(dian)宇(yu)遭(zao)到(dao)進(jin)(jin)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)步破壞。抗(kang)(kang)(kang)戰勝利后(hou),永(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si)(si)(si)僅剩斷壁(bi)殘垣,一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)片廢墟。1993年(nian)(nian)(nian)初,鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)市人(ren)(ren)(ren)民(min)(min)政(zheng)府決定(ding)異地(di)重(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)建(jian)(jian)(jian)永(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si)(si)(si),成立(li)了(le)(le)以(yi)中(zhong)國佛教(jiao)(jiao)協會副會長(chang)、江蘇省佛教(jiao)(jiao)協會會長(chang)、鎮(zhen)江焦山(shan)定(ding)慧寺(si)(si)(si)(si)方丈茗山(shan)法師(shi)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)主(zhu)任的(de)(de)(de)(de)永(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si)(si)(si)修(xiu)復委員(yuan)會。經(jing)重(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)建(jian)(jian)(jian),基本上恢復了(le)(le)永(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si)(si)(si)的(de)(de)(de)(de)原(yuan)有(you)(you)(you)規模,再(zai)現(xian)了(le)(le)昔(xi)日(ri)(ri)永(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si)(si)(si)的(de)(de)(de)(de)佛門景象。永(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si)(si)(si)現(xian)任主(zhu)持為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)茗山(shan)法師(shi),都監為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)乘愿法師(shi),僧眾20多人(ren)(ren)(ren)。每日(ri)(ri)晨鐘暮鼓,焚音(yin)嘹亮。先后(hou)接待(dai)過(guo)香港、臺灣地(di)區和(he)新加坡等國家的(de)(de)(de)(de)佛教(jiao)(jiao)界人(ren)(ren)(ren)士,和(he)數(shu)以(yi)萬(wan)計的(de)(de)(de)(de)國內(nei)香客。永(yong)(yong)(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si)(si)(si)已成為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)旅游(you)觀光(guang)和(he)信徒敬佛的(de)(de)(de)(de)一(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)(yi)處勝地(di)。
主要景點
永寧寺(si)建有山門、天(tian)王殿(dian)、大(da)(da)雄寶(bao)(bao)(bao)殿(dian)、鐘鼓(gu)樓、藏經樓、寶(bao)(bao)(bao)塔(ta)及廂房(fang)、僧舍等,山門上為全(quan)國(guo)佛(fo)教協會會長趙樸(pu)初題寫的寺(si)名匠(jiang)額。天(tian)王殿(dian)內,有用香樟木刻(ke)成(cheng)的風(feng)調雨(yu)順(shun)四大(da)(da)天(tian)王,大(da)(da)雄寶(bao)(bao)(bao)殿(dian)內有長5.2米,重8噸的臥(wo)玉(yu)佛(fo)和幾尊坐玉(yu)佛(fo),還有千(qian)手千(qian)眼觀(guan)音等眾佛(fo)雕象。
天王殿(dian)內供(gong)有香樟(zhang)木刻四大天王,大雄寶殿(dian)內有長5.2米,重8噸的臥玉佛,殿(dian)前15米高的露天觀(guan)音像,清(qing)凈(jing)莊(zhuang)嚴,相好光(guang)明(ming)。