歷史沿革
綜述
永寧寺舊址(zhi)位于鹽城縣城北八字巷(今鹽城中學東南角),始建(jian)于唐(tang)武德三(san)年(nian)(620年(nian)),是唐(tang)代三(san)十(shi)六大寺之一。至清末(mo)仍為五(wu)進大殿。南
宋建炎三年(nian)(nian)(1129年(nian)(nian))抗金名(ming)將韓(han)世(shi)忠(zhong)設中軍(jun)帳于(yu)寺(si)(si)內,岳飛曾四(si)次到永寧寺(si)(si)與韓(han)世(shi)忠(zhong)、梁紅玉(yu)夫婦(fu)(fu)商討(tao)抗金大計。韓(han)世(shi)忠(zhong)夫婦(fu)(fu)晚年(nian)(nian)即(ji)隱居于(yu)此。抗戰(zhan)時期,永寧寺(si)(si)方丈雪松法師積極投身抗日救亡運動,并以己(ji)中醫(yi)之長搶救新四(si)軍(jun)傷病員,被劉少奇、陳毅(yi)譽為“革(ge)命和(he)尚”。永寧寺(si)(si)亦被毀于(yu)日軍(jun)炮(pao)火。
1993年(nian)初,鹽(yan)(yan)城市人(ren)民政府決(jue)定異地重建永寧寺,現址位于鹽(yan)(yan)城市海(hai)純路(lu)12號。坐北朝(chao)南,占地40畝。
后經過(guo)十年建設,永寧(ning)寺基本(ben)上(shang)恢復了原有規模,再現了昔日十方叢林景象。先后接(jie)待過(guo)香(xiang)港、臺灣地區和新加坡等國(guo)佛教界人(ren)士(shi)以(yi)及國(guo)內外香(xiang)客游人(ren)。永寧(ning)寺業(ye)已成(cheng)為(wei)鹽城(cheng)市弘揚佛教和游覽觀光的(de)一處勝地。
歷史記載
據(ju)《續修(xiu)鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)縣(xian)志》記載"該寺(si)(si)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)宇高(gao)聳金碧,涌現(xian)(xian)于百里(li)之外,昔人(ren)(ren)泛海者(zhe),以(yi)此(ci)(ci)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)指南(nan)(nan)車。"八字紅墻外有(you)(you)(you)照壁(bi),紅墻中央為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)頭殿(dian)(dian)(dian),兩(liang)(liang)側供有(you)(you)(you)泥塑哼哈二將(jiang)(jiang),正(zheng)中供奉裝(zhuang)金彌勒(le)佛(fo)。二殿(dian)(dian)(dian)有(you)(you)(you)10丈(zhang)見(jian)方的(de)(de)天(tian)(tian)井,中鋪石板(ban),天(tian)(tian)井正(zheng)北為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)大雄寶(bao)殿(dian)(dian)(dian),題曰:"淮寺(si)(si)第一(yi)(yi)(yi),蓋不虛云"。建(jian)(jian)(jian)筑宏偉(wei)壯觀,為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)蘇北少見(jian)的(de)(de)大型斗拱結(jie)構(gou)。殿(dian)(dian)(dian)身(shen)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)7間歇山雙重檐(yan),無梁無檁(lin),集(ji)拱、飛(fei)吊(diao)、抖(dou)、平(ping)(ping)座、爵頭、額、柱(zhu)、鋪作、伏緣于一(yi)(yi)(yi)體,設計(ji)之精巧(qiao),堪稱(cheng)一(yi)(yi)(yi)絕,殿(dian)(dian)(dian)頂有(you)(you)(you)七(qi)七(qi)四(si)(si)十(shi)九(jiu)格(ge)藻井天(tian)(tian)花,圖案古樸(pu)別致。殿(dian)(dian)(dian)東西兩(liang)(liang)側有(you)(you)(you)金裝(zhuang)十(shi)八羅漢。殿(dian)(dian)(dian)中供奉3尊如(ru)來(lai)三(san)(san)(san)世佛(fo),高(gao)l丈(zhang)余,佛(fo)身(shen)魁(kui)偉(wei),貼金呈古銅色,背(bei)面有(you)(you)(you)表飾白象及(ji)若干(gan)天(tian)(tian)神(shen)天(tian)(tian)將(jiang)(jiang)的(de)(de)立體雕(diao)塑,殿(dian)(dian)(dian)后天(tian)(tian)井為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)藏經(jing)(jing)樓(lou)(lou),是2層古建(jian)(jian)(jian)筑,內(nei)有(you)(you)(you)經(jing)(jing)柜若干(gan),藏經(jing)(jing)萬(wan)卷。永(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)何有(you)(you)(you)如(ru)此(ci)(ci)規(gui)模?據(ju)《舊唐(tang)(tang)(tang)書·地(di)理志》載:"隋末盜(dao)韋(wei)(wei)(wei)徹(che)(che)(che)(che)據(ju)其地(di),置射(she)(she)州及(ji)射(she)(she)陽、安樂(le)、新(xin)(xin)(xin)安三(san)(san)(san)縣(xian),唐(tang)(tang)(tang)武(wu)(wu)(wu)德(de)(de)四(si)(si)年(nian)(nian) (公元(yuan)621年(nian)(nian))來(lai)歸,武(wu)(wu)(wu)德(de)(de)七(qi)年(nian)(nian) (公元(yuan)624年(nian)(nian)),廢射(she)(she)州,仍(reng)(reng)置鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)縣(xian)"。說的(de)(de)是隋末,天(tian)(tian)下大亂,民不聊生,群雄四(si)(si)起(qi)。有(you)(you)(you)一(yi)(yi)(yi)位農(nong)民起(qi)義頭領(ling)韋(wei)(wei)(wei)徹(che)(che)(che)(che),在(zai)(zai)(zai)隋大業十(shi)一(yi)(yi)(yi)年(nian)(nian)(公元(yuan)615年(nian)(nian)),帶領(ling)一(yi)(yi)(yi)支(zhi)起(qi)義軍(jun),攻(gong)克(ke)了(le)(le)濱海重鎮(zhen)(zhen)鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),在(zai)(zai)(zai)鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)稱(cheng)王,置射(she)(she)州,將(jiang)(jiang)鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)一(yi)(yi)(yi)分(fen)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)三(san)(san)(san),即射(she)(she)陽、新(xin)(xin)(xin)安、安樂(le)三(san)(san)(san)縣(xian)(后二縣(xian)縣(xian)治今(jin)鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)都縣(xian)樓(lou)(lou)王鎮(zhen)(zhen)西北丁馬港(gang)和(he)(he)(he)建(jian)(jian)(jian)湖縣(xian)慶豐(feng)鎮(zhen)(zhen)西南(nan)(nan)的(de)(de)上(shang)成(cheng)莊)。韋(wei)(wei)(wei)徹(che)(che)(che)(che)在(zai)(zai)(zai)鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)南(nan)(nan)門(今(jin)鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)中學)修(xiu)筑了(le)(le)臨(lin)時宮殿(dian)(dian)(dian),他(ta)(ta)(ta)在(zai)(zai)(zai)鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)統(tong)治達七(qi)年(nian)(nian)之久(jiu)。唐(tang)(tang)(tang)武(wu)(wu)(wu)德(de)(de)四(si)(si)年(nian)(nian),唐(tang)(tang)(tang)高(gao)祖李(li)(li)淵(yuan)派堂(tang)弟、淮安王李(li)(li)神(shen)通征討韋(wei)(wei)(wei)徹(che)(che)(che)(che),大敗(bai)而逃,差點(dian)被韋(wei)(wei)(wei)徹(che)(che)(che)(che)活捉(zhuo)。后韋(wei)(wei)(wei)徹(che)(che)(che)(che)見(jian)李(li)(li)淵(yuan)統(tong)一(yi)(yi)(yi)天(tian)(tian)下大勢已定(ding),主(zhu)動請降,李(li)(li)淵(yuan)仍(reng)(reng)封他(ta)(ta)(ta)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)王。三(san)(san)(san)年(nian)(nian)后,韋(wei)(wei)(wei)徹(che)(che)(che)(che)病逝。李(li)(li)淵(yuan)下令撤射(she)(she)州及(ji)所屬(shu)三(san)(san)(san)縣(xian),仍(reng)(reng)恢復鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)縣(xian)。臨(lin)時宮殿(dian)(dian)(dian)被拆除,在(zai)(zai)(zai)宮殿(dian)(dian)(dian)原址(zhi)上(shang)建(jian)(jian)(jian)了(le)(le)一(yi)(yi)(yi)座大寺(si)(si)廟(miao),稱(cheng)"護(hu)(hu)國(guo)(guo)永(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)禪寺(si)(si)",意為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)此(ci)(ci)處供奉神(shen)靈,永(yong)(yong)久(jiu)安寧(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning),不再有(you)(you)(you)造反者(zhe)出(chu)現(xian)(xian)。永(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si)經(jing)(jing)歷(li)代修(xiu)葺,一(yi)(yi)(yi)直保持(chi)(chi)完好。清(qing)末仍(reng)(reng)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)五進(jin)大殿(dian)(dian)(dian),兩(liang)(liang)廂配殿(dian)(dian)(dian),還(huan)有(you)(you)(you)眾(zhong)多僧房。山門內(nei)有(you)(you)(you)唐(tang)(tang)(tang)初程咬金手植古柏一(yi)(yi)(yi)株,主(zhu)干(gan)幾人(ren)(ren)聯(lian)手方可合抱。宋高(gao)宗南(nan)(nan)渡后,御營平(ping)(ping)寇(kou)左將(jiang)(jiang)軍(jun)韓世忠與夫人(ren)(ren)梁紅玉坐鎮(zhen)(zhen)淮陽,南(nan)(nan)宋建(jian)(jian)(jian)炎三(san)(san)(san)年(nian)(nian) (公元(yuan)1129年(nian)(nian))粘罕率大軍(jun)分(fen)兩(liang)(liang)路(lu)包抄淮陽,韓世忠兵敗(bai)后撤,在(zai)(zai)(zai)鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)駐(zhu)軍(jun)三(san)(san)(san)月,中軍(jun)帳就設在(zai)(zai)(zai)永(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si)內(nei)。抗(kang)戰初期(qi),永(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si)在(zai)(zai)(zai)一(yi)(yi)(yi)次暴風(feng)雨中遭(zao)(zao)雷(lei)擊(ji)起(qi)火(huo)(huo),毀了(le)(le)古柏和(he)(he)(he)部份殿(dian)(dian)(dian)宇。日(ri)軍(jun)進(jin)攻(gong)鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)前,駐(zhu)鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)的(de)(de)國(guo)(guo)民黨軍(jun)主(zhu)動放(fang)棄鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),縱火(huo)(huo)燒城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),永(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si)又一(yi)(yi)(yi)次遭(zao)(zao)到(dao)嚴重破(po)壞。皖南(nan)(nan)事變后,新(xin)(xin)(xin)四(si)(si)軍(jun)在(zai)(zai)(zai)鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)重建(jian)(jian)(jian)軍(jun)部,代軍(jun)長陳毅(yi)、政(zheng)委(wei)劉少奇(qi)(qi)幾次到(dao)永(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si),看望住(zhu)持(chi)(chi)雪松(song)法(fa)(fa)師(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)。成(cheng)立鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)縣(xian)抗(kang)日(ri)民主(zhu)政(zheng)府時,雪松(song)法(fa)(fa)師(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)擔任了(le)(le)鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)縣(xian)參(can)議(yi)(yi)會(hui)(hui)參(can)議(yi)(yi)員。他(ta)(ta)(ta)在(zai)(zai)(zai)陳毅(yi)、劉少奇(qi)(qi)等領(ling)導人(ren)(ren)的(de)(de)教育幫助(zhu)下,擁(yong)護(hu)(hu)共產黨的(de)(de)抗(kang)日(ri)民族統(tong)一(yi)(yi)(yi)戰線主(zhu)張,積(ji)極參(can)加(jia)(jia)抗(kang)日(ri)文化宣傳活動,組織(zhi)了(le)(le)鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)縣(xian)佛(fo)教界抗(kang)日(ri)救(jiu)護(hu)(hu)隊,自任教官(guan),以(yi)自己會(hui)(hui)中醫的(de)(de)一(yi)(yi)(yi)技之長,救(jiu)護(hu)(hu)過(guo)不少新(xin)(xin)(xin)四(si)(si)軍(jun)傷病員。他(ta)(ta)(ta)還(huan)冒著生命(ming)危(wei)險(xian),掩護(hu)(hu)過(guo)共產黨的(de)(de)干(gan)部胡揚(yang)、蘇海、還(huan)寄萍、李(li)(li)寄農(nong)等人(ren)(ren),陳毅(yi)、劉少奇(qi)(qi)稱(cheng)他(ta)(ta)(ta);革命(ming)和(he)(he)(he)尚(shang)"。日(ri)軍(jun)占(zhan)領(ling)鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)后,永(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si)僧眾(zhong)逃散(san),殿(dian)(dian)(dian)宇遭(zao)(zao)到(dao)進(jin)一(yi)(yi)(yi)步破(po)壞。抗(kang)戰勝利后,永(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si)僅剩斷(duan)壁(bi)殘(can)垣(yuan),一(yi)(yi)(yi)片(pian)廢墟。1993年(nian)(nian)初,鹽(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)(yan)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)市人(ren)(ren)民政(zheng)府決定(ding)異地(di)重建(jian)(jian)(jian)永(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si),成(cheng)立了(le)(le)以(yi)中國(guo)(guo)佛(fo)教協(xie)會(hui)(hui)副會(hui)(hui)長、江蘇省佛(fo)教協(xie)會(hui)(hui)會(hui)(hui)長、鎮(zhen)(zhen)江焦山定(ding)慧寺(si)(si)方丈(zhang)茗(ming)山法(fa)(fa)師(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)主(zhu)任的(de)(de)永(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si)修(xiu)復委(wei)員會(hui)(hui)。經(jing)(jing)重建(jian)(jian)(jian),基本上(shang)恢復了(le)(le)永(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si)的(de)(de)原有(you)(you)(you)規(gui)模,再現(xian)(xian)了(le)(le)昔日(ri)永(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si)的(de)(de)佛(fo)門景象。永(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si)現(xian)(xian)任主(zhu)持(chi)(chi)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)茗(ming)山法(fa)(fa)師(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi),都監為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)乘愿(yuan)法(fa)(fa)師(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi),僧眾(zhong)20多人(ren)(ren)。每日(ri)晨鐘暮鼓,焚音嘹亮。先后接待過(guo)香港(gang)、臺灣地(di)區和(he)(he)(he)新(xin)(xin)(xin)加(jia)(jia)坡(po)等國(guo)(guo)家的(de)(de)佛(fo)教界人(ren)(ren)士(shi),和(he)(he)(he)數以(yi)萬(wan)計(ji)的(de)(de)國(guo)(guo)內(nei)香客。永(yong)(yong)寧(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)(ning)寺(si)(si)已成(cheng)為(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)(wei)旅(lv)游觀光和(he)(he)(he)信徒(tu)敬佛(fo)的(de)(de)一(yi)(yi)(yi)處勝地(di)。
主要景點
永(yong)寧寺(si)建有山(shan)(shan)門、天王(wang)殿(dian)、大(da)雄寶(bao)殿(dian)、鐘(zhong)鼓樓、藏經(jing)樓、寶(bao)塔及廂(xiang)房、僧舍等(deng),山(shan)(shan)門上(shang)為全國(guo)佛(fo)(fo)教協會(hui)(hui)會(hui)(hui)長(chang)趙樸初題寫的寺(si)名匠額。天王(wang)殿(dian)內,有用香樟木刻(ke)成的風(feng)調(diao)雨順四大(da)天王(wang),大(da)雄寶(bao)殿(dian)內有長(chang)5.2米,重(zhong)8噸的臥玉佛(fo)(fo)和幾(ji)尊坐玉佛(fo)(fo),還有千手千眼觀音等(deng)眾佛(fo)(fo)雕(diao)象(xiang)。
天(tian)王(wang)殿(dian)內(nei)(nei)供有香樟木刻四大天(tian)王(wang),大雄寶殿(dian)內(nei)(nei)有長(chang)5.2米,重8噸的臥玉佛,殿(dian)前15米高的露天(tian)觀音像(xiang),清凈(jing)莊(zhuang)嚴,相好(hao)光明。