Shanghai Baohua Temple

Shanghai Baohua Temple

Shanghai Baohua Temple is a cultural heritage site under the protection of Jing’an District.

A temple with the architectural style of the Jiangnan region during the Song Dynasty — Baohua Temple now stands in the Zhabei urban area, serving as an important site for Buddhist worship for the devout in Zhabei, while also adding a mysterious and solemn scenic touch to the district.

Baohua Temple was originally situated on the south side of Shaoniancun Road in Pengpu Town, Zhabei District, Shanghai. It was first built during the Xianchun era of the Southern Song Dynasty. By the early 20th century, the temple’s halls had long collapsed, leaving only a few wing rooms on the western side and the temple foundation. In 1921, the Huisheng Charity Society in Shanghai funded the reconstruction of Baohua Temple, acquiring nearly 100 acres of farmland for this purpose. Notably, a “Suoran Pavilion” was newly built behind the main hall at that time, along with a liberation pond and liberation field for the temple. Additionally, charitable and educational institutions such as the Huiji Hospital, Elderly Care Home, a branch of the Huisheng Midwifery School, and Changming Primary School were established. However, the site was destroyed in the 1937 “August 13th” Incident by the flames of war waged by Japanese militarism. Amid this disaster, only the main hall of Baohua Temple remained. After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, Zhao Puchu, then General Secretary of the Shanghai Provisional Joint Relief Committee, along with lay practitioners such as Lu Meiseng, founded the Shanghai...

“Shaonian Village” on the ruins of Baohua Temple. Guided by the Buddhist spirit of compassion for the world, Shaonian Village aimed to take in and educate homeless children, with the mission of nurturing useful talents for the nation. Zhao Puchu was the principal figure in charge of the village. The endeavor also received substantial assistance and support from Madam Soong Ching Ling and the China Welfare Fund she led. In April 1951, Shaonian Village was taken over by the Shanghai Branch of the Chinese People’s Relief Administration and incorporated into the Shanghai Children’s Welfare Association.

"Shaonian Village." Shaonian Village was based on the Buddhist spirit of compassion for the world, with the mission of taking in and educating homeless children, and the goal of nurturing capable individuals for the nation. The main person in charge of Shaonian Village was Zhao Puchu. It also received extensive aid and support from Madam Soong Ching Ling and the China Welfare Foundation led by her. In April 1951, Shaonian Village was taken over by the Shanghai Branch of the Chinese People's Relief Administration and merged into the Shanghai Children's Welfare Association.

Since the reform and opening-up, the area where the original Baohua Temple was located — Pengpu Town in Zhabei District, Shanghai — has developed into a sizable residential community. With the implementation of the national religious policy, Zhabei District decided, in line with the wishes of the local Buddhist devotees, to restore Baohua Temple, which boasts a long history and a strong tradition of serving the public. On June 16, 2001, a grand foundation-laying ceremony was held for the reconstruction of Baohua Temple. With the driving of the first pile into the ground, Baohua Temple was infused with new vitality of the modern era while retaining its traditional foundations.