The Yongning Temple was established in the first year of the Xiping era by Empress Dowager Hu of the Ling family. (The "Treatise on Buddhism and Taoism" in the *Book of Wei* states: "During the Xiping era of Emperor Suzong (Yuan Xu), the Yongning Temple was built west of the Grand Altar within the city. Empress Dowager Hu personally led the officials to lay the foundation and erect the pagoda." Empress Dowager Hu was the consort of Emperor Shizong (Yuan Ke) and the mother of Emperor Suzong. She was the daughter of Hu Guozhen, the Minister of Works from Linjing, Anding. After Emperor Suzong ascended the throne, she was honored as Empress Dowager and assumed regency, overseeing all state affairs. Her aunt was a nun and well-versed in Buddhist teachings, which influenced Empress Dowager Hu to also revere the Three Jewels. See the "Biographies of Empresses and Consorts" in the *History of the Northern Dynasties*. According to the "Treatise on Buddhism and Taoism" in the *Book of Wei*, during the first year of the Huangxing era of Emperor Xianwen of the Northern Wei, a Yongning Temple was built in the capital of Dai, featuring a seven-story pagoda over three hundred feet tall. Its foundation was broad and magnificent, unparalleled in the world. The Yongning Temple in Luoyang, built at the beginning of the Xiping era, followed the design of the one in Pingcheng.) It was located one li south of the Changhe Gate in front of the palace, on the west side of the imperial road. (The character "west" is mistakenly written as "east" in the "Biography of Bodhiruci" in Volume 1 of the *Continued Biographies of Eminent Monks* and in Volume 6 of the *Kaiyuan Era Catalog of Buddhist Scriptures*. According to the *Book of Wei*, "the Yongning Temple was built west of the Grand Altar." The text below states, "the Grand Altar is located west of the imperial road in front of the Changhe Gate." From this, the temple's location is clear. Moreover, the *Commentary on the Water Classic*, Volume 16, notes: "The Yangqu Canal flows south of the Changhe Gate, then branches off and runs south along the road, passing between the offices of the Grand Commandant and the Minister of Works, known as the Bronze Camel Street. West of the water is the Yongning Temple." This further confirms that "west" is correct. The Changhe Gate mentioned here is the main southern gate of the palace city. Although it shares the same name as the western gate of the city, they are not the same gate.)

To the east of the temple was the Grand Commandant's Office. To its west was Yongkang Ward. To its south was the Office for the Management of Monks and Nuns. To its north was the Censorate.

East of the imperial way in front of the Changhe Gate was the Left Guard Office. South of this office was the Minister Over the Masses's Office. South of the Minister Over the Masses's Office was the National Academy. Inside its hall was a statue of Confucius, with Yan Yuan asking about benevolence and Zilu asking about governance at his side. South of the National Academy was the Imperial Clan Court. South of the court was the Imperial Ancestral Temple. South of the temple was the Protector of the Army Office. South of this office was the Robes and Caps Ward.

West of the imperial way was the Right Guard Office. South of this office was the Grand Commandant's Office. South of this office was the Office of Palace Construction. South of this office was the Nine-Rank Office. South of this office was the Altar of Soil and Grain. South of the altar was Lingyin Ward, which was the ice storage site from the time of the Four Dynasties.

Thus, the inscription by Chang Jing states: "Even the Jeweled Hall of Mount Sumeru and the Pure Palace of the Tusita Heaven cannot surpass this."