Putian Kuzhu Temple

Putian Kuzhu Temple

Putian Kuzhu Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Kuzhu Temple is located in the middle section of the Kuzhu Mountain Range in Xiache Village, Xitianwei Town. It faces Jiuhua Mountain to the south, lies 13 kilometers from downtown Putian, and stands at an elevation of 498 meters. The temple faces south with its back to the north, nestled among rolling mountains, with lush pines and bamboos shading its front courtyard and rear area, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere. In front of the temple, terraced fields are arranged in an orderly fashion, while the Buddha Cottage Stream babbles gently nearby, making for an exceptionally picturesque scene.

Legend has it that Kuzhu Temple was founded by Master Qianling during the Huichang era (841–846) of Emperor Wuzong of the Tang Dynasty. Qianling was a distinguished disciple of the Sixth Patriarch Huineng of Shaolin Temple on Mount Song in Henan. Before setting off on his travels, the master gave him the advice: “Go where there is hardship, and dwell where there are bamboo.” When Qianling arrived at Kuzhu Mountain, he understood the meaning of the master’s verse and resolved to establish Kuzhu Temple. However, the site was haunted by mountain goblins. Qianling engaged them in a magical battle. He drank iron needles, terrifying the goblins, who then fled to the peak of Jiuhua Mountain and transformed into swallows that dove into a cave. Qianling subdued them by placing an upside-down stone boat over the cave. During the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, the temple was destroyed but was later rebuilt during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1700–1722), with both front and rear halls, as well as east and west meditation rooms, totaling 120 rooms. The east meditation room was called “Bamboo Grove East Villa,” and the west one was referred to as “West Wing Meditation Room.” The front hall, known as the Mahavira Hall, was resplendent with golden decorations, red tiles, and upturned eaves. Inside the hall was enshrined a three-meter-tall statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, along with numerous other golden deities.

Kuzhu Temple had four satellite temples under its jurisdiction: Huteng Temple (located in Hou Tang within Putian city), Beipu Temple (now Sihua Xiazheng), Dingyang Temple (now Guiyang in Baisha Town), and Shanghuang Temple (now opposite Shangguo in Xitianwei). The farmland and forests of these four satellites were reported by Kuzhu Temple during the land reform in 1950. Both the economic resources and religious activities were entirely managed under the unified direction of the abbot of Kuzhu Temple, demonstrating the temple’s considerable scale at the time. The monks of Kuzhu Temple were known as incense-offering monks, and they conducted religious ceremonies across a radius of a hundred li, alongside those from the affiliated satellite temples. The total cultivated land of the five temples exceeded 100 acres, and dozens of laborers were hired annually, giving a sense of the temple’s former prosperity.

Kuzhu Temple has endured many trials, and its former glory no longer exists. During the Cultural Revolution, the campaign to destroy the Four Olds left this thousand-year-old temple in ruins. By the late 1960s, when the 51st-generation abbot, Master Chi Yang (affectionately known as “Fifth Uncle”), passed away, the responsibility fell to the 52nd-generation abbot, Venerable Jingting (also known as Lin Weicheng), who struggled to keep the temple running. In the autumn of 1985, a fire destroyed the ancient structures, much to the dismay of many.

The renowned painter Lin Jinding was inspired to paint after watching monk-painters at Kuzhu Temple during his youth. He developed a deep affection for the temple. In May 1990, through the initiative and support of Mr. Lin Jinding, the 52nd-generation abbot Venerable Jingting (Lin Weicheng) and his disciple Master Zhichan (Zhang Yuanfang) raised funds through extensive efforts. By early November 1998, the front and rear halls were rebuilt and consecrated, partially fulfilling Mr. Lin Jinding’s legacy.

Kuzhu Temple has long been a gathering place for literati and artists. Yang Zhou, a famous painter of the Qing Dynasty, once lived in seclusion on Kuzhu Mountain and frequently painted at the temple. He kept a blue magpie that seemed to understand human intentions. Whenever the bird appeared, the monks knew the master was coming and would prepare writing materials in anticipation of his arrival. Yang Zhou excelled at painting flowers, birds, and animals. His paintings of tigers were so vivid that they were said to scare away fierce dogs when hung in halls. Aside from painting and calligraphy, the monks also studied these arts diligently. Master Jingting’s calligraphy became widely renowned, and the monk Xu Weikai was also celebrated for his portrait sketches. Both the east and west meditation rooms house collections of poetry and calligraphy by notable figures. The handwriting of Jiang Chunlin was preserved until a fire in the early 1980s. After achieving fame, Lin Jinding also gifted paintings to Kuzhu Temple.

The monks of Kuzhu Temple were open-minded, broad-hearted, and progressive. The veteran revolutionary Chen Guozhu once used the temple as a base for revolutionary activities, discussing the political situation and planning military strategies. The monks would actively stand guard and often raised funds to support the guerrilla fighters. In 1964, Chen Guozhu returned to his hometown and specifically visited Kuzhu Temple.

Kuzhu Temple currently houses two stone basins. One basin was made in the same year as the earliest stone basins of the Southern Shaolin Temple. It bears the inscription: “Made on the tenth day of October in the Guiyou year of Jiuyi Village, dedicated by the monks of this temple,” and measures 140 cm in length and 85 cm in width. The other basin was used for storing water in the kitchen. It is 230 cm long and 98 cm wide, with the inscription: “Made by the monks of this temple, self-renewed on the eleventh day of November in the Wushen year, supervised by the head abbot and monk Shoushi,” testifying to its historical significance. Kuzhu Temple also preserves well-maintained, rare pagoda tombs unique to the province. One is situated on a hillside south of the temple, standing 2.3 meters tall, with inscriptions reading: “Tang Dynasty founding master Qianling, successive masters, and devoted believers,” with the upper inscription: “Repaired by Monk Hou’an in the Kangxi Guiyou year, and rebuilt in the Yongzheng Guiyou year by monks such as Yangchun,” and the lower: “Erected by disciples of Master Jianbai Puzhong, including Zhiwu, Hui, Faji, and De Zhang.” Another tomb is located on the hillside opposite the temple, standing three meters tall, with the engraving: “Pagoda of Master Zhushan Xiaosheng, Reviver of Drum Mountain, Great Monk Duzhao.” Kuzhu Temple and Fuzhou’s Drum Mountain Temple have a long history of interaction, and monks from Kuzhu Temple traditionally received their precepts through the sacred fire ritual at Drum Mountain.

People often speak of the lush pines and bamboos of Kuzhu Temple, but few know of its exceptional orchids. The fragrance of the orchids here is rare even in the Jiangnan region. In the height of summer, the air around the temple is filled with their sweet scent, though the flowers themselves are shy and hard to find. Near the temple lies a spring well that has never dried up in centuries, drawing villagers from miles around to draw its water. The monks also raise several golden snakes in the fields. Legend has it that the monks could summon the snakes out of their holes to perform for visitors with a chant. Local villagers often saw snakes as thick as bowls.

Kuzhu Temple has endured many ups and downs, falling and rising repeatedly. Visionary individuals with keen insight have often donated to rebuild it. It is believed that its former glory will be revived in the near future.