Wuxi Jiaoshan Temple

Wuxi Jiaoshan Temple

Wuxi Jiaoshan Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Jiaoshan Temple is located on the western slope of Jiaoshan Mountain. It was first built in the early years of the Taiqing era during the Liang Dynasty, boasting a history of 1,450 years. The site was originally Xiao Zhuang, the former residence of Xiao Shilang (name unknown), an official of the Liang Dynasty. There was a spring within the estate, which the official used to wash his inkstone; it was called "Dishui Pool" (In the Tian Sheng era of the Song Dynasty, local magistrate Su Shen built an Ink-Water Pavilion here). In the sixth year of the Tianjian era of the Liang Dynasty (507), the residence was donated to build a Buddhist temple, named Jiaoshan Temple. During the Taiqing era, it was called "Jiaoshan Maitreya Temple." It was rebuilt in the fifth year of the Daye era of the Sui Dynasty (609). In the Tang Dynasty, the eminent monk Zhanran (711–782), the ninth patriarch of the Tiantai sect of Buddhism, also known as Jingxi and a native of Yixing, once resided at Jiaoshan Temple to preach and teach sutras. After Zhanran's passing, the abbot named his lecture hall "Zhanran Hall." During the Xiantong era of the Tang Dynasty, the temple underwent large-scale renovation. The temple faced west, nestled against East Peak and facing Hui Shan Temple — a magical coincidence.

During the Zhi Dao era of the Northern Song Dynasty, it was renamed Jiaoshan Xinghua Temple. In the Jianyan era of the Southern Song Dynasty, Li Gang, a famous anti-Jin statesman from Wuxi, requested to enshrine his ancestors and changed the name to "Chongqin Baode Chan Yuan" (Monastery of Filial Piety and Merit). In the late Yuan Dynasty, the temple fell into disuse. In the first year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1368), Monk Yangu rebuilt it and restored its name to "Jiaoshan Temple." The temple features Douru Spring, Xianghua Bridge, Xiao Qing’s Tomb, Suishiwu (Broken Stone Valley), Lijian Rock, and the later-rebuilt Zhanran Hall. In the Ming Dynasty, Guo’an Guo of Guipo organized a major renovation of the Li Zhongding Ancestral Hall on the left side of the temple, allocating fields for annual sacrifices in spring and autumn, as well as dredging and repairing Douru Spring and its pavilion, naming it "Mengzhai." To the left of the spring stands Zhanran Lecture Hall, in front of which is Wanyu Pavilion — all adorned with poetic inscriptions and stone tablets. Shao Wenfang of Erquan also wrote an inscription for Li Gang’s shrine. Further reconstructions were carried out through the years, including the building of Fanwang Palace in the thirteenth year of the Jiajing era (1534), where golden statues were installed. In the twenty-ninth year (1550), additional structures such as pavilions and towers were erected on the left side of the temple, named Cui Ping, Huan Cui, Fen Cui, and Ting Song. Later, Monk Jing’an constructed the Grand Buddha Hall, Shihua Hall, and Vajra Hall. By this time, Jiaoshan Temple had become truly magnificent.

The temple faces north and is fronted by a stream spanned by Xianghua Bridge. Beyond the bridge lies a square, followed by the mountain gate. The Mahavira Hall stands at the center, flanked by side halls. Inside the main hall are three golden Buddha statues: Sakyamuni, Amitabha, and Bhaisajyaguru, seated with high snail-shell hairdos, their wise eyes smiling gently. The temple also includes Ting Song Pavilion, Huan Cui Pavilion, Xiufeng Pavilion, Douru Spring, and Douru Spring. At the foot of the mountain, there are historic sites such as Xiao Qing’s Tomb, Suishiwu, Lijian Rock, and the traces of a Golden Ox.

Song Dynasty poet Cai Zai wrote a poem about the embroidered Buddha at Jiaoshan Temple: “Sublime visage surpasses nature’s grace, / Each stitch deftly wrought with godly pace; / So many who worship with devout face, / Yet few match the artisan’s skill and trace.”

Song Dynasty poet Su Shen, magistrate of Wuxi, wrote about Jiaoshan Temple: “I ride to calm the temple’s gate, / Pine winds brush my robe, a chill innate. / Where worldly dust can’t intervene, / Amid green peaks, I’m loath to leave. / Birds gaze down from the life-offering site, / Clouds drift past the preaching height. / The true taste of Lanka’s insight / Makes me feel worldly ties take flight.”

Jiaoshan Temple has now been rebuilt. On the eastern and western hillsides, thousands of green bamboos are planted. The temple features a mountain gate in front, leading to a central courtyard flanked by side halls. The main hall sits in the center with five bays under a hip-and-gable roof, where a plaque inscribed “Western Three Saints Hall” by Master Ming Shan hangs, displaying statues of Sakyamuni, Amitabha, and Bhaisajyaguru. On the western side are Douru Spring, the Li Gang Shrine, and the Guan Yu Hall, which enshrines Guan Yu, Chen Gao Ren, and Zhang Xun. An original couplet reads: “He washed his heart and cut his flesh — embodying both loyalty and filial piety; he quelled bandits and cleared the air — bringing peace to the regions of Jiang and Huai.” In 1995, Master Ming Shan wrote another couplet: “May I sow nine-grade lotuses across three thousand realms of the East.”