The Jusha Pagoda

The Jusha Pagoda

The Jusha Pagoda is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

It is said that visiting the Jusha Pagoda is a must when coming to Meili Town—if you haven’t seen it, you haven’t truly been there. Therefore, upon arriving, people always love to go and admire the enchanting scenery of the pagoda. Reflecting on how time flies, it’s amazing how tiny grains can build into a tower over time, yet a mere sigh marks the passing of a thousand years.

The Jusha Pagoda is indeed an iconic and renowned ancient tower. According to historical records, the Jusha Pagoda, originally called the “Jusha Baifu Treasure Pagoda,” was built during the Shaoxing era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1131–1162). Another legend claims it was funded by Lady Wu, the mother of Sun Quan during the Three Kingdoms’ Chiwu era—a claim that would push its history back 900 years. However, many experts consider the former account more credible. As for why the “Jusha Pagoda” was built, two main folk reasons are commonly cited: First, it served as a water-controlling treasure. Changshu is located on the alluvial plain of the Yangtze River Delta, and at the time, Meili Town was situated near the river and sea, suffering frequent flooding from tidal surges—a constant source of misery. Building a pagoda together to subdue the waters became a shared aspiration, with hopes that the tower could stand firm against the tides like accumulated sandbanks. Second, it was believed to gather sand and accumulate blessings. Legend says the pagoda was built by Qian Daoren, a local man during the Shaoxing period of the Song Dynasty. In truth, he was merely the fundraising initiator—though he did donate generously himself as a wealthy individual. His slogan was “donations bring prosperity,” but the common people donated in hopes of “gaining blessings.” Both motivations converged, and through small contributions from many, the tower rose bit by bit—“sand gathered into a tower”—hence the name “Jusha Baifu Treasure Pagoda.”

Pagodas were initially commemorative Buddhist structures built to enshrine the relics of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. In ancient Indian Sanskrit, a pagoda is called Stupa, and in Pali, thupa. In ancient Chinese, they were translated as “窣堵坡, 塔婆, 兜婆, 浮图, 浮屠, 佛图, 佛屠,” among other terms. Those containing the Buddha’s relics were called “True Body Sarira Pagodas,” while those housing Buddhist statues or scriptures were called “Dharma Body Sarira Pagodas.” Later, all Buddhist-related towers were collectively referred to as “Buddhist Pagodas,” affectionately known as “Treasure Pagodas,” and simply called “Pagodas.” From the Wei and Jin dynasties onward, Buddhism gained imperial favor, leading to the construction of numerous pagodas and temples at great expense. This trend peaked during the Sui and Tang dynasties and became popular even among the public. The functions of pagodas gradually diversified from purely religious purposes to also include embellishing landscapes, correcting feng shui, promoting cultural refinement, reviving education, and sometimes even warding off disasters. The Jusha Pagoda clearly falls into the category of a water-controlling structure. As poets have written: “A towering barrier on the waves, eternally safeguarding the seaside town”; “Seven stories piercing the blue sky, scattering floral rains in daylight”; “Eight-angled wind bells chiming, harmonizing with sutra chants in the quiet night.” This octagonal, seven-story brick-and-wood structure has thick, flat blue-brick walls. The inner chamber is square, with the main gate opening to the cardinal direction on the ground floor. Each level features four windows around the door, supported by eaves and balconies. Lower levels are encircled by outer corridors, with upturned eaves. Inside, a staircase winds upward to the top.

The Jusha Pagoda evolved from the concept of the Buddhist stupa. The stupa is a manifestation of the Buddha—where there is a stupa, there is the Buddha, and vice versa. This aligns perfectly with core Buddhist teachings. As stated in the Lotus Sutra’s “Skillful Means Chapter”: “Even children who pile up sand to make a Buddha stupa, such people have already attained Buddhahood.” The word “pile up sand” here implies that after the pagoda was built, the people of the area demonstrated their faith in the Buddha and sought the boundless protection of Buddhist teachings to ensure favorable weather and disaster-free times for the water town of Meili. Thus, we see the entire pagoda standing solemnly atop a grand lotus pedestal, pointing to the blue sky, majestic and composed, commanding attention as it overlooks the ever-changing world. It carries the wishes of generations of Meili residents for peace and safety. Their constant remembrance has become a heartfelt devotion—a sincere wish so strong that, as the saying goes, “with earnest devotion, even metal and stone can be penetrated.” Perhaps it is thanks to the protection and blessings of the Buddhist pagoda that Meili Town has been able to cultivate its home on the Yangtze River alluvial plain, competing with the tides for land, coexisting with nature, and preserving the foundation of civilization.

Starting in November 1986, the People’s Government of Meili Town built a farmers’ park around the pagoda, naming it “Jusha Garden” after the ancient tower. The name was inscribed by Wang Jifu, former Vice Minister of Culture. After several years of development, the park has reached a considerable scale. The garden takes its name from the pagoda, and the pagoda anchors the entire park. Inside, there are pavilions, waterside structures, ancient towering trees, lush greenery, and blooming flowers. Strolling through the garden feels like walking through a painting: the exquisitely crafted rockeries, delicate and layered, with peaks and serene valleys; the gentle streams by the bank, where willows sway in the breeze, fish swim beneath the clear water, and sunlight dances on the surface; the winding bridges and pavilions extending over the river, surrounded by water on all sides, caressed by breezes from every direction; the millennia-old ginkgo tree, standing firmly and vigorously; the continuous wisteria pergolas, lush and green; the well-arranged buildings, simple and elegant, radiating tranquility; the vibrant trees and flowers blooming year-round, full of life and fragrance; and the solemn memorial monument, quietly recounting heroic and moving stories…

Jiangsu Provincial-Level Cultural Relics Protection Unit, Fourth Batch, April 1995: Jusha Pagoda, Song and Ming Dynasties, Meili Town, Changshu

Meili Town: Located in the northeastern part of Changshu City, Meili Town borders Shanghai to the east, Suzhou to the south, Wuxi to the west, and the Yangtze River, a golden waterway, to the north. It is 10 kilometers from Changshu Port. The town covers an area of 78.6 square kilometers, with the central urban area spanning 5.27 square kilometers and 57,900 mu of arable land. It administers 2 subdistrict offices, 18 administrative villages, and 3 community committees, with a total population of 78,500. Meili Town is a National Health Town, a Nationally Recognized Beautiful Environment Town, a Jiangsu Provincial Civilized Town, one of Jiangsu’s Top 100 Towns, a Jiangsu Modern New-Type Small Town, a Jiangsu Provincial Key Central Town, and a Jiangsu Environmental... [More details about Meili Town]++

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units