Linji Huguo Chan Temple (Chinese: 臨濟護國禪寺; pinyin: Línjí Hùguó Chán Sì) is a Buddhist temple located in Zhongshan District of Taipei, Taiwan.[1]
History
In 1900, then Japanese Governor of Taiwan Kodama Gentaro (兒玉源太郎) requested monks from the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism (in Japan) to come to Taiwan, build a temple and promote Zen Buddhism in Taiwan on land nearby the newly constructed Taiwan Grand (Shinto) Shrine (台灣神社).[2]
It was called Rinzai Gokokuzen-ji (臨済護国禅寺), which was a branch temple of Rinzai Zen Buddhism in Japanese rule period. Construction of the temple, designed by Japanese monk Umeyama Genshū (梅山玄秀), commenced in 1900 and was completed in 1911. The statue of Sakyamuni was consecrated on June 21, 1912.[3]
In April 2007, the Taipei Municipal Government has allocated NT$18.05 million for the reconstruction project.
Temple Buildings & Architecture
The extant buildings include the Shanmen, Four Heavenly Kings Hall, Mahavira Hall, Lotus Treasury Hall, bell tower, drum tower and a pagoda.
Mahavira Hall
The Mahavira Hall as seen from around one of its front cornersInterior of the Mahavira Hall with tatami covered benches (used during Sunday meditation classes)
The Mahavira Hall was built with double-eaves gable and hip roofs. It modeled the architectural style of the Song dynasty. On each of the main ridge is a tile named "Onigawara". The Mahavira Hall houses statues of Sakyamuni (center), Guanyin (right) and Ksitigarbha (left).
Lotus Treasury Hall
Lotus Treasury Hall of Linji Hugou Temple in 2024, AugustInterior of Lotus Treasury Hall of Linji Huguo Chan Temple in 2024, August
References
^台北圆山临济寺原住持盛满法师度生圆满 安详圆寂. fjnet.com (in Chinese). 2009-07-01.
^Josh Ellis (2017). "Huguo Zen Temple". Josh Ellis Photography.
^Huang Lan-Shiang (2005). "The Chung-Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies". Chung-Hwa Buddhist Journal. Vol. 18. pp. 139–206. ISSN 1017-7132.
