Introduction to Xuedou Temple: Xuedou Temple is located in the center of Xuedou Mountain, surrounded by mountains and two streams converge. The nine peaks are like "Nine Dragons grabbing pearls", and the environment is superb. Xuedou Temple has a long history. It was called "Waterfall Temple" when it was opened in the Jin Dynasty and has a history of 1,700 years. In 999 AD, Emperor Zhenzong of the Northern Song Dynasty granted the temple "Xue Dou Zi Sheng Temple". During the reign of Emperor Ningzong of the Southern Song Dynasty, Xuedou Temple was listed as one of the "Five Mountains and Ten Temples" as a Maitreya dojo when assessing the level of temples in the world. Zhao Yun, Emperor Lizong of the Song Dynasty, wrote "Yingmeng Famous Mountain" in his imperial book, so it gained the reputation of "Yingmeng Taoist Temple". Xuedou Temple has been destroyed and rebuilt five times. It was demolished during the "Cultural Revolution" and only the east wing remains. The current building was renovated in April 1986.
Xuedou Temple has a deep connection with Maitreya Buddha. According to legend, Maitreya Bodhisattva incarnated as a Budai monk and appeared in the river of Fenghua County. He was adopted by the people of Changting Village and later became a monk at Yuelin Temple in Fenghua. He often went to Xuedou Temple to give lectures and propagate Buddhism. Therefore, Yuelin Temple and Xuedou Temple are both known as the "Holy Land of Maitreya" and are recognized as Maitreya dojos. There is a specially built "Maitreya Hall" between the Heavenly King Hall and the Main Hall of Xuedou Temple.