Shanjian Temple

Shanjian Temple

Shanjian Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

According to historical records, Yixing's Shanjian Temple was built in the second year of the Jianyuan era (480 AD) during the Qi Dynasty of the Northern and Southern Dynasties on the former site of “Zhu Yingtai’s ancestral home.” In the past, the cave was part of the temple's property. Mr. Chu Nanqiang first purchased the rights to the cave and the mountain land from the monks before renovating the site. This gave Shiwang Cave the halo of a Buddhist karst cave. Shanjian Temple was renamed from “Juan” to “Quan” to avoid the naming taboo of Emperor Xiao Baojuan of the Qi Dynasty, and the new name has been used ever since.

“In the Southern Dynasties, four hundred and eighty temples stood, amid the mist and rain of their towers and halls.” Shanjian Ancient Temple is one of the birthplaces of Yixing’s Buddhist culture. Historically, three prime ministers visited Shanjian Temple, leaving behind timeless tales.

Li Deyu, the Grand Minister of Works and military governor of the Tang Dynasty, personally funded the redemption of Shanjian; Li Gang, a prime minister of the Song Dynasty who advocated war, renovated Shanjian Temple; and Li Zengbo, a scholar-official of the Song Dynasty, studied at Shanjian Temple. Shanjian Temple became a sacred site for ancient scholars. Many top imperial examinees and prime ministers in history were drawn to visit Shiwang Cave. In the Ming Dynasty, the abbot of Shanjian Temple, Monk Fang Ce, even engraved stone tablets and erected a stele titled "The Ancient and Modern Records of Shanjian Temple," which was prefaced by the court official and famous scholar Wang Ao, as well as the painter Wen Zhengming. At that time, Shanjian Temple’s “Tang Hall” and “Thunder Calligraphy” were renowned throughout the land.

Shanjian Temple was once presided over by eminent monks, all masters of the Linji and Caodong schools. For example, the monk Yulin Tongxiu, who was conferred the title of “Great Awakening Universal Salvation Nengren National Preceptor” by Emperor Shunzhi, once served as the abbot of Shanjian Temple.

However, later on, the monk Baishong became a local tyrant, arousing dissatisfaction among the residents and eventually triggering conflict, which led to Shanjian Temple being burned to the ground, with Baishong himself perishing in the flames. History thus witnessed a real-life “Burning of the Red Lotus Temple.” This occurred in the early years of the Kangxi reign. Shanjian Temple was ultimately destroyed during the War of Resistance, when it was burned down by Japanese invaders. Only the “Huazang Gate” remained. The current Shanjian Temple was rebuilt in 1992, with its plaque inscribed by Zhao Puchu, then President of the Buddhist Association of China. In the 1980s, the renowned calligrapher Xiao Xian wrote a couplet for Shanjian Temple: “Through four generations attaining enlightenment, the Linji school stands as a giant; returning with vows fulfilled, charred Shanjian rises anew in splendor.”

During the Ming Dynasty, Shanjian Temple had a “Yuantong Pavilion,” primarily dedicated to Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy. The current Yuantong Pavilion was rebuilt in 2000.

Guanyin Bodhisattva is the embodiment of compassion and salvation. As morals decline and hearts grow cold, one reaps what one sows—karma and the cycle of life are truths not easily grasped by the unawakened. The 53 manifestations of Guanyin are but a tiny fraction of her countless forms, yet sincerity moves the divine.

The pavilion houses an 8.8-meter-tall gilded Water-Moon Avalokiteshvara statue. Behind the main statue are 32 colorful relief carvings of her manifestations, surrounded by exquisitely crafted 53 purple clay Guanyin suspended sculptures. These sculptures display a myriad of graceful poses and are strikingly lifelike, possessing high artistic value. They were meticulously carved by Xu Xiutang, a master of Chinese purple clay artistry, and are now recognized as “China’s No. 1” and “the world’s unparalleled wonder.”