Haiyun Temple enjoys a high religious status in Lingnan Buddhism. According to legend, when Su Dongpo, a great writer in the Song Dynasty, was relegated to Lingnan, he passed through Guangzhou to Shiliugang (now Xinjiao, Haizhu District) on the outskirts. There was a beautiful ancient temple in the distance, so he asked people to ferry there and boarded the Leifeng Shanhaiyun Temple (called longxing temple). He witnessed this quiet ancient road with his own eyes and improvised the title of "Jin 'ou Ancient Road". So Haiyun Temple is also called "Jin 'ou Temple". Since then, Leifeng Shanhaiyun Temple has become a place for literati to explore and win. The natural monk, the first person who started the mountain, is the 34th generation descendant of Cao Dongzong, one of the five leaves of Zen. Famous temples founded or expanded by natural monks and their disciples include Haiyun Temple, Heinaro Temple, Wuzhu Temple, Jie 'an Temple, Biechuan Temple, Huashoutai Temple, Qixian Temple and Guizong Temple. The scriptures and quotations of this natural monk, his original teacher, younger brother and disciple are all in Jiaxing Collection in Zhejiang, which reflects the position of Cao Dongzong's Ministry of Nature in Lingnan Buddhism. It is said that several existing temples in Japan belong to Cao Dongzong, which shows the far-reaching influence of Haiyun Temple.
Pan Meiyuan, a beginner in the Qing Dynasty, wrote a poem about Haiyun Temple: "The majestic river is far away, and the sunset is full of stone buildings. The cave outside the ridge is the first, and Buddhism in the area is unparalleled. The mountain belongs to the three peaks of Yunsi, and the water is sent to Leimen. When you cross the stream bridge, you will rest, so you don't have to lift your pillow through the window. " This is a portrayal of the magnificent scene of Haiyun Temple.
The natural monks of a generation of Shang monks are knowledgeable, noble in morality, loyal and patriotic, and not afraid of power. They have high prestige in society, especially among scholars. When the Qing army went south, the Ming Dynasty fell, and many scholars who resisted or were unwilling to obey the Qing people fled into an empty net, forming the situation that "Xie Wang became a monk for ten years". Natural monks actually became the protectors, guides and spiritual leaders of Ming adherents, and Haiyun Temple became the place where Ming adherents settled down and became a sacred fortress to resist the invasion of Qing soldiers after the death of Ming Dynasty. Haiyun Temple on Leifeng Mountain has left precious historical testimony and many touching stories in history, and it is a scenic spot to mourn historical sites.