Ruins of Zhiping Temple at Shihu Lake in Suzhou

Ruins of Zhiping Temple at Shihu Lake in Suzhou

The Ruins of Zhiping Temple at Shihu Lake in Suzhou is a cultural heritage site protected by the Suzhou municipal government.

Zhiping Temple is located at the foot of Shangfang Mountain on the outskirts of Suzhou, bordering Shihu Lake to the east and facing the ruins of Yuecheng across the water. According to the *Hengxi Record*: “Zhiping Temple is flanked by Shihu Lake and Yuelai Creek on the left, encircled by the hills of Hengshan on the right, backed by Chamo Islet, and fronted by Shangfang Mountain.” It was built in the second year of the Tianjian era of the Liang Dynasty during the Southern and Northern Dynasties (503 AD), and was renamed in the first year of the Zhiping era of the Song Dynasty (1064 AD). On the summit of Shangfang Mountain stands the Lengjia Temple, beside which is the Lengjia Pagoda. Originally built in the fourth year of the Daye era of the Sui Dynasty (608 AD), the current structure is a seven-tiered, eight-sided Song Dynasty pagoda standing 23 meters tall with a brick body. To the south of Zhiping Temple, at the foot of Baoji Mountain, there used to be the Baoji Temple, built in 608 AD by the monk Yongguang. The present Baoji Spring scenic area is newly constructed on the original site of Baoji Temple. Lengjia Temple, Zhiping Temple, and Baoji Temple are collectively known as the Upper, Middle, and Lower Monasteries of Lengjia Temple.

Zhiping Temple originally housed numerous structures such as Huan cui Pavilion, Deyue Pavilion, and Hushan Hall. Today, it features the Mahavira Hall, Guanyin Hall, Zhiping Thatched Cottage, and Yuegong Well. Legend has it that Yuegong Well was dug during the Spring and Autumn period. According to the *Wudi Ji*, “In the ninth year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty (589 AD), Duke Yue, Yang Su, relocated the prefecture and county five li east of Hengshan.” After the Sui Dynasty conquered the Chen Dynasty, unrest broke out in the Jiangnan region. Yang Su led troops to quell the rebellion and, citing the former city walls as “not strategically defensible,” built a new city in the Shihu Lake and Shangfang Mountain area. He renovated the original well for use by soldiers and civilians, hence its name. The *Wumen Biao Yin* states: “(The well) has an upper diameter of one zhang and eight chi, with stone railings like a screen.” To this day, the well remains abundant in water, benefiting the local area. The temple also houses an ancient ginkgo tree over 300 years old, standing more than 20 meters tall and lush with foliage.

Throughout history, Zhiping Temple has been home to many eminent monks. For example, the eighth-generation master of the Qianhua sect of the Nanshan Vinaya School, Liyun Xingyan, received full monastic precepts from the seventh-generation master Fuju in the ninth year of the Yongzheng era (1731). He was entrusted with temple affairs and assisted in propagating precepts at Fayuan Temple. Upon returning to Baohua Mountain, he presided over a division at Tianlong Temple. In the 25th year of the Qianlong era (1760), at the request of Jiangsu Governor Chen, he revived Zhiping Temple in Gusu. During the emperor’s two southern tours in the 27th and 30th years of Qianlong’s reign, he bestowed couplets and plaques. After Fuju’s passing, he succeeded to the abbotship of Baohua Mountain and passed away in the 34th year of Qianlong’s reign.

Zhiping Temple is also linked to many historical events. For instance, after the death of Zhu Yuanzhang at the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, his nephew Zhu Di launched the Jingnan Campaign to seize the throne. After capturing Nanjing, his nephew, the Jianwen Emperor, went missing. The *History of Ming* records: “When the capital fell and the palace was set ablaze, the emperor’s whereabouts became unknown”; “Some say the emperor escaped through an underground passage. Thereafter, rumors spread in Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Chongqing of the emperor’s traces as a monk.” However, the *Ming Shi Ji Shi Ben Mo*, written more than 80 years before the *History of Ming*, states that the Jianwen Emperor fled through an underground passage, with some attendants escaping through a water gate. Due to the inconvenience of a large group, only three remained with him. Legend has it that during the Chenghua era of the Ming Dynasty, Wang Zhao from Songyang County, Zhejiang, while wandering in Gusu, heard rustling sounds from a revolving scripture repository at Zhiping Temple. Upon investigation, he found mice gnawing at an old book. Upon opening it, he discovered anecdotes about over twenty former ministers who had followed the Jianwen Emperor into exile. Moved by their loyalty, Wang Zhao added commendatory remarks before each story and titled the work *Loyal and Wise: A Record of the Extraordinary*, which was then published.

Another example is that Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty made six southern tours, all of which included visits to Shihu Lake. Zhiping Temple was where he rested briefly, leaving behind poems such as *Zhiping Temple*, *Visiting Shangfang in the Rain*, *Lengjia Temple on Shangfang Mountain*, and *Touring Shangfang Mountain*. The Song Dynasty pastoral poet Fan Chengda once said: “Anyone who visits Wu but does not go to Shihu Lake or climb Xingchun Mountain might as well not have visited at all.” Literary figures, fond of landscapes, made Zhiping Temple by Shihu Lake a place to rest and gather. Examples include Shen Zhou’s *Spring Outing to Zhiping Temple*, Wen Zhengming’s *Climbing the Chengbi Tower at Zhiping Temple on Mid-Autumn*, Wang Shizhen’s *Invited by Gongxia to Tour Shihu Lake in the Rain and Ascend Zhiping Temple, Composed with the Character ‘Lai’*), Xu Zhenqing’s *Climbing Zhiping Temple*, Wang Chong’s *Record of Events at the High Chamber of Zhiping Temple on September 16, Gengyin Year*, and Zhang Fengyi’s *Staying Overnight at Zhiping Temple and Chatting with Monk Huigong*.

In Suzhou folklore, it is customary to ascend heights during the Double Ninth Festival. Some climb Fan Li’s Tomb on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month to gaze at the sails on the Caoh River; others go to Hushu to midnight-climb Yangshan’s Sunbathing Pavilion to watch the sea sunrise, with its kaleidoscopic clouds and mists, a spectacular sight. Some release cages and stage cricket fights, commonly known as "autumn revelry." Visiting Zhiping Temple, however, is one of Suzhou’s three great wonders. Yuan Zhonglang wrote: “Three remarkable things in Suzhou: lotus flowers on the 24th of June, no moon at Tiger Hill on Mid-Autumn, and rain at Zhiping Temple on the Double Ninth.” On that day, sheep are paraded, colorful decorations are displayed, and money-guessing games are played. People drink yellow flower wine and eat “camel’s hooves” (meat wrapped in dough and steamed), making for a very lively celebration.

Since the reform and opening-up, with the implementation of the Party’s religious policies and the favorable opportunity of tourism development in the Shihu Lake scenic area, Zhiping Temple has regained vibrant vitality. The annual “Shihu Moon-Stringing Festival” begins in late September and lasts for 20 days. During this period, citizens and tourists come to enjoy opera, dance, moon viewing, and fireworks. Organized spontaneously by locals and visitors, entertainment programs such as dragon and lion dances, yangge folk dances, folk songs, and theatrical performances are held around the pagoda courtyard in the scenic area, in front of the Stone Buddha Temple’s Stone Guanyin Hall, and in front of Zhiping Temple’s main hall. At Baoji Spring, the Curved Bridge Pavilion, and other spots, visitors can enjoy performances by professional actors, including singing and dancing, acrobatics, instrumental music, and pingtan storytelling.

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