Zhao Dong Pujisi Temple

Zhao Dong Pujisi Temple

Zhao Dong Pujisi Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Historically, Sizhan Town had Buddhist temples. In the 11th year of the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty (1831), the town’s Dongxing Village (locally known as Laoyetun) established a temple called Zuidushou Temple. It housed over 100 people, with around 30 residing there permanently. In the 6th year of the Guangxu reign (1880), the temple was destroyed by fire and was later rebuilt one li southwest of Laoyetun. Since the temple was built slightly south of Laoyetun, it became commonly known as the South Temple, also referred to as - Temple. After the liberation, the monk Menghe was elected as a deputy to the second People's Congress of Zhao Dong County in 1956. After Monk Menghe passed away, religious activities ceased.

In 1989, some long-time Buddhist followers in Sizhan Town — who had believed in Buddhism and taken refuge in the faith even before the liberation — initiated multiple joint petitions to the city’s religious affairs department through the efforts of Gong Yongxiang, a 70-year-old devout layperson and veteran traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, requesting approval to establish a Buddhist activity site. The Sizhan Town government also supported their proposal. After evaluation by the city’s religious affairs department, approval was granted in May 1992 to establish the Pujisi Buddhist activity site in Sizhan Town. It was duly registered according to policy regulations (registration number 11803). A Three-Self Patriotic Group was also formed, with Yuanxing appointed as the abbot of Pujisi Temple and leader of the Three-Self Patriotic Group. After the establishment of the Buddhist activity site, due to an increasing number of worshippers and the small size of the original shrine, which hindered religious activities, expansion of the temple began in April 1993 and was completed in 1994. Later, due to various reasons, the abbot Yuanxing left and was successively replaced by Xuan Dao from Jilin, Zhongxian from Dacheng Temple in Qiqihar, Guofeng from Qitaihe, Zikong from Jiangsu, and Fabo from Jiangxi. In November 2001, Master Jingmiao was invited from Xinglong Temple in Linkou County to serve as abbot and leader of the Three-Self Patriotic Group. In total, the temple had six abbots.

Since Master Jingmiao took office as abbot and leader of the Three-Self Patriotic Group, the previously chaotic state of the temple was completely transformed, ushering in a new era of religious activity that became normal, stable, and healthy. He actively led the devotees in implementing the Party’s religious policies, laws, and regulations, observing discipline and traditions, loving the country and religion, maintaining correct faith, and willingly accepting the leadership of the Party and government while aligning with them. He was dedicated to helping the poor and doing good deeds, contributing significantly to society. From the time he became abbot and group leader in 2001 until the end of May 2004, he selflessly contributed a total of 635,520 yuan to help resolve difficulties for the Party, government, and the general public, earning widespread praise. As a result, he was elected as a standing committee member of the Zhao Dong Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), a member of the Suihua City CPPCC, and the president of the Zhao Dong Buddhist Association.

In August 2003, the temple was officially approved by the provincial religious affairs bureau to establish the Balicheng Pujisi Temple in Sizhan Town. The temple currently has 20 ordained monks, 22 clerical personnel, and over 2,000 Buddhist followers, with nearly 10,000 attendees at major Dharma assemblies. The temple covers an area of 9,9878.40 square meters with a constructed area of 3,750 square meters. The buildings are majestic, grand, clean, and elegant, offering a captivating atmosphere. The temple is located 200 meters north of the North Gate of Balicheng, a national cultural heritage site and the former location of the Jin people, and ranks as the foremost among our temple’s key scenic areas.

Sizhan Town: Located in the southwest of Zhao Dong, on the fertile northern bank of the beautiful Songhua River. To the east lies the provincial capital Harbin, and to the west is the oil city Daqing. It earned the name “Sizhan” (Fourth Station) because it was the fourth station along the ancient Qing Dynasty post road. It has now become the economic and cultural hub of the southwestern region of Zhao Dong. The town covers an area of 188 square kilometers, governs five administrative villages, and has a total population of 30,000. It has 80,000 mu of arable land, 20,000 mu of natural water bodies, and 40,000 mu of grassland. The rural economy has developed rapidly, forming a production pattern that combines both paddy and dryland farming, synchronizes planting, breeding, and processing, advances industry and enterprises, and vigorously promotes green and specialty industries. By the end of 2006, ... Sizhan Town detailed information++