Jinshan Temple (Fujian)


Jinshan Temple is a Buddhist temple located on an island of Wulongjiang River, in Cangshan District of Fuzhou, Fujian, China. It is the only Buddhist temple in the river in China and the only Buddhist temple on the water in Fujian.

History

Song dynasty

The original temple dates back to the Shaoxing period of the Southern Song dynasty.

Ming dynasty

In the Jiajing era of the Ming dynasty, Zhang Jing lived here
In 1615, in the reign of Wanli Emperor, the bridge, which connected the island and the bank, was destroyed by flood.

Qing dynasty

In 1870, in the Tongzhi period of the Qing dynasty, Scottish photographer John Thomson visited the temple and took a lot of pictures, which published in his album Foochow and the River Min.

Modern China

The modern temple was completed in 1934.

Architecture

The temple consists of five buildings: Hall of Mazu, Hall of Great Compassion, left wing-room and right wing-room, and a Song dynasty stone pagoda.

Hall of Mazu

The Hall of Mazu is the main hall in the temple enshrining statues of Mazu and Guanyin. Under the eaves is a plaque with the Chinese characters "Jinshan Temple" written by former Venerable Master of the Buddhist Association of China Zhao Puchu.

Stone Pagoda

The seven story, tall, octagonal-based Chinese pagoda is made of brick and stone is situated within the temple.

Gallery