Kunshan Dongchan Temple

Kunshan Dongchan Temple

Kunshan Dongchan Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Dongchan Temple, originally named Jianyan Zifu Chan Temple, was founded in the third year of the Tianyou era of the Tang Dynasty (906 AD) by Liu Yi, the Zhen’e Envoy and Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel of the Wuyue Kingdom, who donated his residence. It was located on Jijie Street in Yushan Town, Kunshan City, and established by Monk Kuang. In the third year of the Kaiping era of the Later Liang Dynasty of the Five Dynasties (909 AD), it was renamed “Kunfu Chan Monastery”; in the fifth year of the Zhenming era of the Later Liang Dynasty of the Five Dynasties (919 AD), it was renovated. In the first year of the Dazhong Xiangfu era of the Song Dynasty (1008 AD), an imperial decree established “Huayan Chan Monastery” to enshrine the spirit tablet of Empress Chengmu. In the fourth year of the Xining era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1071 AD), the head monk Weiyi invited Master Huiyuan to serve as abbot. From autumn of the first year of the Yuanyou era (1078 AD) to summer of the second year (1079 AD), the Dharma Hall and dormitories, totaling 21 bays, were constructed. When Emperor Gaozong of the Southern Song Dynasty fled south, he personally inscribed the three large characters “Puzhao Hall,” hence the Imperial Calligraphy Pavilion was built. The reading place of Fan Chengda, the Chancellor of Participation, had a wisteria vine known as “Fan’s Wisteria.”

In the first year of the Qiandao era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1165 AD), a golden character plaque was bestowed. During the Xianchun era (1265–1274 AD) of the Southern Song Dynasty, Monk Daoyuan built seven stone stupas outside the temple gate. A Yuan Dynasty literatus, Huang Jin, wrote in his work "Collected Inscriptions on Buddhist Statues" that the area outside the temple gate featured official buildings, and the monastery (i.e., the monastic compound) was called “Jianyan Zifu Chan Temple,” located at the eastern edge of the city, hence referred to as the “East Chan (Dongchan).” The name “Dongchan Temple” thus originated.

In the second year of the Tai Ding era of the Yuan Dynasty (1325 AD), the temple was destroyed by fire. In the fourth year of the Yuandade era (1338 AD), Master Yeyan Xiyan succeeded as abbot. He first opened a major road outside the mountain gate, relocated the seven stone stupas to the south of the official river, rebuilt the main hall, and collectively installed statues. Sakyamuni, Amitayus, and Maitreya were placed to the south, with various bodhisattvas and great disciples attending them, surrounded on both sides by the Eighteen Arhats. To the north were Manjushri, Samantabhadra, and Guanyin, the Three Great Bodhisattvas, emerging from the walls, on a level golden base, with azure-hued halls standing like mountains, exquisitely shaped and solemnly reverent, with floral hangings draped all around.

The temple was again destroyed by war during the late Yuan Dynasty, leaving only the main hall remaining.

In the ninth year of the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1411 AD) [note: the Qing Dynasty's "Kangxi Draft of Kunshan County Annals" records it as the first year of Yongle], Monk Daoliang renovated the temple, which included the Pilu Pavilion. In the twelfth year of the Zhengtong era (1447 AD), Regional Inspector Zhou Chen built the Pilu Pavilion on the site of the former Imperial Calligraphy Pavilion. In the early years of the Zhengde era, Magistrate Fang Hao renamed it the “Four Emptinesses Pavilion,” which was later changed again to the “Zhou Gong Pavilion.” In the 25th year of the Jiajing era (1546 AD), the East and West Halls were also constructed, complete with corridors and side rooms. In October of the seventh year of the Kangxi era (1668 AD), the temple was destroyed, though the pavilion remained.

In 2004, following an application by the Kunshan Buddhist Association and approval from the Kunshan Religious Affairs Bureau and the Kunshan Municipal People's Government, Dongchan Temple was rebuilt. The project was completed in 2005, marking the revival of Dongchan Temple.

Transportation Guide

Attraction Address: No. 556, Zhujiang South Road, Kunshan City, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province

Transportation: Take bus routes 102, 15, 20, 21, or 7 within Kunshan City, get off at the intersection of Chaoyang Road and Zhujiang Road, then walk south along Zhujiang Road to reach the temple.