Zan Garden

Zan Garden

Zan Garden is located in Guanzhuang Village, east of Jiangyin City, covering an area of approximately 15,000 square meters (about 22.2 mu). It is divided into three parts: the Memorial Hall of Master Ju Zan, the Former Residence of Master Ju Zan, and the Ju Zan Cultural Park. The foundation stone was laid on March 18, 2008, and the garden officially opened in November 2008. The main buildings of Zan Garden feature the architectural style of residential houses in Jiangyin from the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican period. Based on the restoration of Master Ju Zan’s former residence, they maintain a unified style and are complemented by ornamental garden landscape elements.

Master Ju Zan was a renowned contemporary Buddhist monk, scholar, educator, and patriot, deeply respected and beloved both in China and abroad. He was one of the founders of modern Chinese Buddhist theory and one of the founders of the Buddhist Association of China. As a leading figure in contemporary Chinese Buddhism and an outstanding religious leader, Master Ju Zan was the only monastic representative invited to attend the founding ceremony of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949, and observe the proceedings from the Tiananmen Rostrum.

The Memorial Hall of Master Ju Zan was originally located within Junshan Temple but was later relocated here. The memorial hall is a traditional Chinese-style building with three courtyards. The plaque above the main hall, inscribed with “Memorial Hall of Master Ju Zan,” was written by the contemporary Chinese calligrapher Zhang Ruiling. The plaque in the main hall, inscribed with “Dao Qi Zhen Ru” (“In Harmony with True Suchness”), was penned by Master Yicheng, the current president of the Buddhist Association of China. “Dao Qi” means unity of thought and action, while “Zhen Ru” is a Buddhist term referring to a state of mind free from worldly distractions and attaining spiritual freedom.

Master Ju Zan met Tian Han at Daxia University in Shanghai in 1927. During the War of Resistance against Japan, they spent time together in Nanyue and Guilin, becoming close friends. Master Ju Zan initiated the establishment of the Nanyue Buddhist and Taoist Relief Association, and Tian Han wrote a poem for him. Master Ju Zan founded the magazine Lion’s Roar in Guilin, which received enthusiastic support from Tian Han, who contributed articles. At the end of 1942, Master Ju Zan wrote the poem “To Tian Han in Guilin”: “On the rugged mountain path below, a compassionate Buddhist heart does glow. Before the mirror, I hate my white hair’s sight—how many more have turned white this year?” In 1950, Tian Han wrote a poem for Master Ju Zan. Later, Tian Han suffered persecution and died, but was posthumously rehabilitated, prompting Master Ju Zan to write a mourning poem.

The reconstructed Former Residence of Master Ju Zan in 1998 is a traditional three-bay, three-courtyard Jiangnan-style dwelling. Two podocarpus trees stand at the entrance, and the gate is adorned with a magnificent, resplendent plaque inscribed with “Former Residence of Master Ju Zan,” which is grand and striking. The six characters “Former Residence of Master Ju Zan” were written by Master Song Chun. Master Song Chun, abbot of Tianning Temple in Changzhou and Junshan Temple, vice president of the Jiangsu Buddhist Association, and president of the Jiangyin Buddhist Association, was among the first graduates of the Ju Zan Buddhist Academy.

Scenic Area Address: Intersection of Mingxian Road and Outer East Ring Road, Jiangyin City, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province

Transportation: Within Jiangyin City, take Bus No. 21 and get off at Zan Garden Station; or take Buses No. 31, 36, etc., and get off at Shenyu Technology Station.

Chengjiang Subdistrict: Located in the central urban area of Jiangyin City, Chengjiang Subdistrict is home to the municipal Party committee, municipal government, and serves as the city’s political, economic, and cultural center. Covering a total area of 124.3 square kilometers (including Chengdong New District Office), it governs 49 community committees and 22 village committees. At the end of 2008, it had a registered population of 229,403 and a migrant population of 108,458.

Chengjiang has been a cradle of talent since ancient times, producing the “Three Outstanding Figures of the Liu Family,” educator Wu Yanyin, patriotic eminent monk Ju Zan, pioneer of Chinese herbal chemistry research Zhao Chengguo, “Father of Chinese Robots” Jiang... More details about Chengjiang Subdistrict ++