Hongfu Temple in Fengxian

Hongfu Temple in Fengxian

Hongfu Temple in Fengxian is a cultural tourism attraction.

Hongfu Temple, also known as Hongmiao, was originally located on the north side of Qinguangtang in Hongmiao Town, Fengxian County, Shanghai. It was first built in the 30th year of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty (1766 AD). Legend has it that when Emperor Qianlong passed through this area during his southern tour, the locals praised the "boundless blessings from heaven," which led to the temple being named and built, and it has enjoyed a thriving flow of worshippers ever since. In 1995, it was relocated and rebuilt with the approval of the Fengxian County People's Government, restored in its original architectural style, covering an area of over 20,000 square meters.

The main entrance of Hongfu Temple is a memorial archway, facing south with four pillars and three stories. The central plaque bears the shining characters "Hongfu Temple" inscribed by Zhao Puchu, President of the Buddhist Association of China. Behind the archway is the Mountain Gate, a Xieshan-style structure with ingenious design. Based on Buddhist meaning, the Three Gates represent the Gate of Emptiness, the Gate of Formlessness, and the Gate of Non-Activity.

Passing through the Three Gates leads to the Heavenly King Hall. Inside the hall is a statue of Maitreya Buddha, also known as the Laughing Buddha or Cloth Bag Monk, who holds prayer beads and wears a cloth sack, with a smiling face. On either side are the Four Heavenly Kings, guardians of the Dharma, who bless the human realm with peace, favorable weather, abundant harvests, national prosperity, and people’s well-being.

Passing through the square from the Heavenly King Hall takes you to the center of the temple—the Mahavira Hall. The main deities in the hall are the Three Saints of the East. In the center is the Medicine Buddha (Bhaisajyaguru), flanked by the Sunlight Bodhisattva on the left. The Three Saints of the East are all carved from century-old camphor wood, standing five meters tall with solemn and dignified expressions. Beside them are the Sixteen Arhats and the Twelve Yakshas, representing the guardians of the twelve earthly branches. Behind the Mahavira Hall are the Three Great Bodhisattvas—Guanyin, Manjushri, and Samantabhadra—symbolizing compassion, wisdom, and practice. The Three Saints of the East are Buddhas who bestow blessings and dispel disasters, existing alongside the sun and moon. They signify the radiance of Buddha’s light, one’s fate aligned with celestial timing, disasters retreating as fortunes arrive, the nine luminaries safeguarding long life, peaceful destiny, and everlasting happiness and health. The Mahavira Hall at Hongfu Temple, with the Three Saints of the East as its principal deities, is uniquely distinctive and rarely seen in other temples.

Hongfu Temple is currently one of the more influential Buddhist temples in Shanghai. Led by Venerable Master Shenghuai and Venerable Master Benru, along with over twenty monks, the temple maintains daily practices with morning bells and evening drums. Additionally, Hongfu Temple runs a monastic school attended by over twenty students who study Buddhist scriptures and continue the wisdom of the Dharma.

The temple also houses a scripture depository, the abbot’s quarters, and the Hongfu Pagoda, all characterized by their grand scale and unique style. It can be regarded as one of the notable temples in Shanghai.

Transportation

Address: Tangcheng Street, Fengxian District, Shanghai, near Hongwu Road

Transportation: Jiangping Special Line, West Fifth Line, Nanmin Special Line, Shinan Special Line, Longpinglu Special Line, Longpinglu Line