Huzhou Ancient Plum Blossom Taoist Temple

Huzhou Ancient Plum Blossom Taoist Temple

The Ancient Plum Blossom Taoist Temple, also known as Chunyang Palace, is located in Tongfeng (Yunchao) Valley on Jinggaishan Mountain, south of Huzhou City. It was first built in the first year of the Jiaqing reign (1796), serving as the center of activity for the Longmen sect of the Quanzhen School of Taoism in southern China, and is the largest Taoist monastic complex in the region.

In the first year of the Jiaqing reign (1796), Taoist priest Min Shao Fu arrived at Jinggaishan and constructed Chunyang Palace, naming it “Ancient Plum Blossom Taoist Temple.” He honored Lu Xiujing as the founding patriarch. The resident Taoist priests of the Ancient Plum Blossom Temple came from five different Taoist sects: Zhengyi, Lingbao, Quanzhen (i.e., the succession of the Longmen sect), Shangqing, and Qingwei. Since the Zhengyi, Lingbao, Shangqing, and Qingwei sects had few residents and did not settle permanently, their historical lineage is difficult to trace. Therefore, the current doctrinal lineage is considered the orthodox succession of the Quanzhen School’s Longmen sect.

In the eleventh year of the Xianfeng reign during the Qing Dynasty (1861), the Ancient Plum Blossom Temple was destroyed in war, leaving only the Chongde Hall. Reconstruction began in the ninth year of the Tongzhi reign (1870) and was completed in the thirteenth year (1874). The renowned educator Yu Yue wrote “A Record of the Reconstruction of Chunyang Palace on Jinggaishan,” in which he praised the rapid completion of the project, stating, “The grand halls, arched gates, deep chambers, and lofty rooms were all finished in sequence—how swift the progress!” In the sixteenth year of the Guangxu reign (1890), Shen Bingcheng and others built the “Great Compassion Pavilion,” “Jade Emperor Pavilion,” “Doumu Pavilion,” and “Buddha Hall.” In the twenty-ninth year of the Guangxu reign, Yu Shide, a wealthy merchant from Huzhou, constructed the “Yiyun Courtyard” southwest of the Heavenly General Hall. In the twelfth year of the Republic of China (1923), Zheng He from Shanghai built the “Pure Dust Cottage” behind the Great Compassion Pavilion. The Ancient Plum Blossom Temple has a total of 137 structures, making it one of the largest Taoist temples in Zhejiang.

The Ancient Plum Blossom Temple remains hidden and unassuming from afar, but upon entering Tongfeng Valley, it suddenly opens up like a paradise on earth. Its towering pavilions and flying corridors resemble celestial patterns, inspiring reverence among worshippers. Beside the temple lies Zilong Pool, in front is Bailong Pool, and behind stands the White Crane Pavilion. A couplet written by Wu Changshuo reads: “Clouds line the valley gate where immortals dwell; nests hide among pines where phoenixes roost”—a perfect depiction of the Ancient Plum Blossom Temple.

In the fifteenth year of the Shunzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1658 AD), Taoists Tao Jing’an and Huang Jue received ordination from Wang Changyue at Beijing’s Baiyun Temple. They were given sacred texts and sent back to Jinggaishan to establish the Yunchao branch of the Longmen sect of the Quanzhen School. Qing dynasty Taoist Min Yide wrote in “The Golden Lamp of Jinggaishan”: “In the past, those who lived in the mountains—Tian Han and Chong Fa revered the Dharma, Qu Qu revered the Mysteries, Lu was erudite yet grounded, Gong’s Way was lofty and supreme, Mei’s practices were near yet boundless, while Wei and He were committed to upholding moral principles with wisdom. All were capable of nurturing heaven and earth and pioneering new paths. The Longmen sect delves into life and destiny, eschewing the supernatural—it is Taoism infused with Confucian ideals, a Confucian-Taoist path. The founding patriarch of the sect was Qiu Chuji, also known as Changchunzi, whose courtesy name was Zhichang. Emperor Taizu of the Yuan Dynasty served him as a teacher, calling him the ‘Confucian Immortal’ and posthumously honoring five generations of his lineage for his merit in ending the massacres with a single word, thus stabilizing the realm. It was also due to him that Lü Dongbin was granted the title of Emperor. Emperor Wuzong of the Yuan Dynasty, also known as Emperor Wu, bestowed praise upon him. Qiu was a disciple of Wang Chongyang, also known as Changchun. From then on, the disciples of Lü Dongbin were revitalized by Qiu, and the sect’s influence flourished. This is why Tao and Huang pledged their allegiance. ”

The eleventh-generation Longmen Taoist priest Min Yide (courtesy name Lan Yun) advocated the idea that immortals and loyal, filial subjects are one, and that becoming a monk or staying a layperson, entering officialdom or retreating to the mountains should all follow personal convenience. This philosophy made the Longmen sect more secular. “Postscript to the Record of the Succession of the Jueyun Sect’s Taoist Lineage” states: “Since Patriarch Min embraced the ‘Convenient Dharma Sect,’ many followers have come from lay, aspiring individuals. As a result, the number of Confucians turning to Taoism has grown daily, and the spread of Taoist teachings has expanded. Today, Taoist altars are found throughout Jiangsu and Zhejiang.” Min Yide initiated the Convenient Dharma Gate of the Longmen sect—the Succession of the Longmen sect—centered on the unity of the Three Teachings and the natural way of life. Whether living at home or in a temple, all engage in Taoist practice; fulfilling loyalty, filial piety, chastity, and fraternal duty is itself the path of the immortal. This development within the Longmen sect can be considered unprecedented in history. This is also the reason for my compilation of this Taoist lineage. Tracing its roots, the Longmen Succession of the Ancient Plum Blossom Temple also continues the legacy of the Longmen Taoist path.