Jiaxing Taiping Temple

Jiaxing Taiping Temple

Jiaxing Taiping Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Taiping Temple is one of China's thousand famous temples. It was first built in the third year of the Shaoxing era during the Southern Song Dynasty (1133). Emperor Gaozong of the Southern Song once took refuge in the temple, hence it was originally named "Bao'en Temple." By the Hongzhi era of the Ming Dynasty, during an epidemic outbreak, everyone who drank from the temple's well remained unharmed, thus preserving their safety. For this reason, it was renamed "Taiping Temple." The well, fist technique, main hall, and stone are known as the “Four Wonders of Taiping Temple.” The architectural structure of the temple imitates that of Hangzhou's Lingyin Temple, featuring a Vajra Hall, Mahavira Hall, Abbot’s Hall, along with other historic buildings such as Chunyang Tower, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and Jigu Pavilion.

Taiping Temple is located in Xinhuang Town, Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province. As one of China’s thousand famous temples, it was first built in the third year of the Shaoxing era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1133). Emperor Gaozong of the Southern Song once sought refuge here, and so it was initially called "Bao'en Temple." By the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, during a plague, those who drank the sacred well water were unaffected, prompting villagers from surrounding areas to come for water and stay safe, hence the name was changed to "Taiping Temple." During the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, Monk Yiran in the temple created a unique umbrella fist martial art, renowned far and wide. Since then, the Taiping Ancient Well, Unique Umbrella Fist, Nanmu Grand Hall, and Wordless Stone Tablet have been known as the “Four Wonders of Taiping Temple.” "Before the beautiful garden of the east stands the ancient Taiping Temple fair, / Its bells ring a few times before the sun turns bright. / I recall how the study tower startled me from morning dreams, / Its fading echoes drifting softly in the spring breeze." These lines from an old poem offer a glimpse into the temple’s former glory.

When the Japanese invaders attacked, Taiping Temple did not escape misfortune, but the Nanmu Grand Hall alone stood firm amid the post-war ruins. After 1949, the hall was used to store grain and—remarkably—never suffered from mold or pests, becoming something of a miracle. The wordless stone tablet lay quietly beneath the offering table at the entrance of the main hall, awaiting worshippers. The unique umbrella fist still has inheritors within China. Meanwhile, the Taiping Ancient Well, though having collapsed several times, continues to provide its sweet spring water selflessly.

In the spring of 1993, Master Hongzheng, an 80-year-old eminent monk, was invited to take charge of Taiping Temple. “A desolate pond reflects a bleak scene, the ancient temple lies cold with snow yet to melt.” At that time, the grand old temple had barely survived disaster, its moss-covered Nanmu Grand Hall swaying precariously in wind and rain. Faith moves mountains. With great compassion and resolve, Master Hongzheng led disciples like Yang Zuxiang, diligently building connections and overcoming countless hardships to reconstruct the temple and revive Buddhism, demonstrating deep selflessness and dedication. With strong support from the local government, in just four years, the Mahavira Hall was restored, the Vajra Hall, guest quarters, main halls, and meditation rooms were rebuilt, alongside the addition of major ritual implements such as a precious cauldron, bronze bell, incense burner, offering table, and glass lamps.

The architecture of Taiping Temple follows the model of Hangzhou’s Lingyin Temple, including structures such as the Vajra Hall, Mahavira Hall, Abbot’s Hall, along with side halls like Chunyang Hall and Arhat Hall, plus the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and Jigu Pavilion. Calligraphy works, poems, and paintings were contributed by figures such as Jinshi scholar Hong YANJI of Xinhuang during the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty. Among its most treasured relics are the "Taiping Morning Bell" and the "Ancient Well’s Cold Spring." Particularly moving is the legacy of Master Hongzheng, a distinguished disciple of Master Taixu. Born in 1914, Master Hongzheng was ordained at the age of six, became abbot of Chengdu’s Wenshu Monastery at 17, and served as abbot of Yuhang’s Baoling Temple from 1945 to 1965. He took on the role of abbot at Taiping Temple at the age of 80. The master upheld strict precepts, lived humbly, and his seventy years of discipline reflected profound virtue. On the early morning of January 3, 1998, Master Hongzheng passed away peacefully in the temple at the age of 85. Six days later, his remains were taken to Suzhou’s Lingyan Mountain Temple for cremation, yielding 1,980 colorful sarira beads and numerous pure white, crystal-clear sarira flowers. Buddhist circles marveled: to obtain even one sarira is rare—how could there be thousands? This testifies to the unfathomable depth of the master’s spiritual attainment, confirming beyond doubt his attainment of Buddhahood.

Fengqiao Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Jiaxing’s suburban area. In 1958, Fengqiao Commune was established; in 1984 it was reorganized as Fengqiao Township, and the same year, it was upgraded to a town. Located in the southeastern part of the city, it lies 16 kilometers from downtown. The area covers 45.8 square kilometers, with a population of 27,000. It governs 15 village committees (Jingyang, Xinghuo, Sanxing, Shifo, Limin, Yangshu, Yonghong, Zhuangqiao, Lianfeng, Daxing, Qingchi, Yaochi, Xinmin, Xindong, and Shuichan) and three neighborhood committees. Agriculture features comprehensive diversified operations, especially sericulture, animal husbandry, and fruit & melon cultivation. Industry is dominated by town and village enterprises, making full use of local agricultural resources to develop deep-processing industries. … More detailed information on Fengqiao Town ++