Taicang Pujisi Temple

Taicang Pujisi Temple

Taicang Pujisi Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Pujisi Temple is located at the southern end of Pujijie Street in Shaxi Town, Taicang City. According to the Song Dynasty's "Qingyuan Zhi," Empress Wu Zetian (Wu Zhao) of the Tang Dynasty decreed the construction of a Qushi Buddha Pagoda at Wu’an Temple in the third year of the Chang’an era (703). In the third year of the Qianyuan era (760) during the reign of Emperor Suzong of Tang, a eminent monk Master Jian arrived at Wu’an Temple with two disciples. They took up residence there, expanded the temple, renamed it "Baolin Temple," and by the beginning of the Song Dynasty it was changed to "Guang’an Jiao Temple." It was renowned along with other temples in Wujun (Suzhou)—Riguang, Miaoyan, Mingjue, and Wan—as one of the Five Famous Temples of Jiangzuo.

Additionally, according to "Wumen Youyin" (Daoguang edition) and "Zhitang Lizhi," during the Xiangfu era of Emperor Zhenzong in the Northern Song Dynasty, Wu Zhong’s Duke of Lu, Min Rong, donated a Luofa Hall (with eighteen statues) to Guang’an Jiao Temple. He also oversaw the excavation of a pond, reconstruction of a pagoda, and fundraising for a bridge in front of the temple. The bridge was initially named “Xianghua” and also called the “Front-of-Temple Bridge.” By the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty, it was rebuilt as a three-arch stone bridge and renamed “Pujii Bridge.”

In the 15th year of the Ming Hongwu era (1382), the temple was ordered to merge with others and was renamed “Conglin Temple.” The poet Cui Hua once wrote about the temple’s former glory: “A thousand pines within one temple, flying springs above the rooftops,” describing the towering halls, dense ancient woods, and interlocking eaves. In the fourth year of the Yongle era (1406) during the Ming Dynasty, Master Gongchen renovated the temple and restored its name to “Guang’an Temple.” In the 33rd year of the Jiajing era (1554), Zhitang suffered from a Wokou raid, and the temple was largely destroyed.

In the early years of the Qing Kangxi era, Master Yunchou of Guang’an Temple and Pujii undertook repairs of the damaged temple and renamed it “Pujisi Temple.” The temple was renovated again during the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty. According to "Zhitang Lizhi," some halls still remained during the Daoguang era. In the early Republican period, the local elder Qin Jiefu recalled that during the Guangxu era, the halls were destroyed in a fire, leaving very little remaining. By the early years of liberation, only over ten side rooms and the mountain gate remained. During the Cultural Revolution, the site was repurposed as residences and factories.

With the deepening of the reform and opening-up policy, and to meet the religious needs of Buddhist devotees, in June 1995, the temple was approved by the Taicang Municipal Government for restoration and reopening. It now includes a mountain gate, Mahavira Hall, Three Saints Hall, and auxiliary buildings, covering an area of 6,000 square meters with a built-up area of over 2,000 square meters.

Transportation Guide

Attraction Address: Southern end of Pujijie Street, Zhitang, Shaxi Town, Taicang City, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province

Public Transport: Take bus routes 123, 210, etc., in Taicang City and get off at Pujisi Temple Station.

Self-driving Route: Hu-Yi Highway — Intersection of National Highway 204 and Tonggang Road; Exit at Shuangfeng on the Suzhou-Kunshan-Taicang Expressway — Head south on National Highway 204 to the intersection with Tonggang Road.