The King of Brahma Palace

The King of Brahma Palace

The King of Brahma Palace in Luodian, situated northeast of Luodian Town, is one of the larger ancient temples in the suburbs of Shanghai.

The King of Brahma Palace was first built during the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty and has a history of over 400 years. It was originally constructed as a private villa owned by the Tang family. The Tangs placed Buddhist statues in the central hall and Taoist deities in the Zhenwu Pavilion, where they also hung a portrait of their ancestor Tang Yuexuan. During the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty, a descendant of the Tang family, Tang Zhaobo, carried out renovation work. In the 11th year of the Xianfeng era (1863), the temple was destroyed during military conflict, leaving only the Zhenwu Pavilion. In the 5th year of the Guangxu era (1879), the monk Jinyong and his disciple Nianfang led fundraising efforts to rebuild the temple, completing the Mountain Gate, Guest Hall, and the Mahavira Hall that same year. In the 25th year of Guangxu (1899), the Ancestral Hall and Pagoda Courtyard were established, along with the erection of stone stelae. By then, although named the Jade Emperor Palace, it had become a fairly complete Buddhist monastery. Pilgrims flocked to the site from all directions, and during the temple fairs held on the 9th day of the first lunar month and the 20th day of the seventh lunar month, the incense offerings were especially abundant.

In April 1988, with the support of relevant departments, the religious affairs office of Baoshan County carried out major renovations of the Jade Emperor Palace and reconstructed the east and west wing rooms. The project was completed by the end of November of the same year, and the site was renamed the King of Brahma Palace. On January 15, 1989 (the 8th day of the 12th lunar month), the auspicious day marking the enlightenment of Sakyamuni Buddha, the temple officially opened to the public. On that day, Venerable Zhenchan, President of the Shanghai Buddhist Association and abbot of both the Jade Buddha Temple and Jing’an Temple, presided over a purification ritual.

The King of Brahma Palace is situated by the Lianqi River in Luodian, enjoying a serene environment. The front hall was restored according to the architectural style of the Qing Dynasty, while the rear hall follows the design of the Ming Dynasty. After the restoration, the buildings were arranged symmetrically, surrounded by yellow brick walls that highlight the solemnity of the sacred site.

Stepping into the front hall, one will find a statue of the Maitreya Buddha seated at the center, flanked by a philosophically rich couplet: “A broad belly embraces all the unbearable things under heaven; a compassionate smile greets all the laughable people in the world.” Behind the Maitreya stands the guardian deity Skanda. On the right side of the back door stands a stone stele, excavated from underground and restored to its former glory. The stele features an image of the Maitreya Buddha, with the inscription “Welcoming Amitabha” at the top. The upper right corner reads: “Repay the fourfold kindness above; deliver the three paths of suffering below. May all who see and hear this generate the bodhicitta.” The lower right corner records the restoration efforts led by Monk Jinyong and his disciple Nianfang, dated to the autumn month of 1899 (the 25th year of Guangxu).

Passing through the courtyard north of the front hall leads to the Mahavira Hall. This hall features a brick-and-timber structure, supported by four large stone pillars, with a double-eaved roof, upturned corners, layered arches, and an overall dignified and classic Ming Dynasty style. The hall is 14 meters high, with three large Buddha statues seated at its center. Above them hangs a horizontal plaque inscribed with “Buddha’s Light Illuminates All,” and the columns on either side bear couplets reading “The Buddha’s radiance shines bright, enlightening the world” and “Constant worship benefits both humans and heavens.” A spiral staircase leads up to the Scripture Reading Pavilion, where one instantly feels the serenity of the monastic space—a truly ideal place for spiritual cultivation.

The King of Brahma Palace is now a branch temple of the Jing’an Temple in Shanghai. Zhao Puchu, President of the Buddhist Association of China, visited the temple specifically to pay homage on May 30, 1989, and inscribed the following poetic verse: “A dignified end for the elderly embodies the ideal of Great Unity. Repaying the kindness of all beings, prioritizing reverence for the Dharma and the aged. To serve them as one would one’s parents, to respect them as one would one’s teachers. How splendid is this Brahma Palace—no different from the Pure Land itself.”