Shouliang Temple

Shouliang Temple

Shouliang Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Shouliang Temple is located on Zhongshan Road in the eastern part of the city. The main hall of Shouliang Temple once housed an iron-cast statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, standing six meters tall, which was created by Lu Guangchou. It was the largest iron statue in Jiangxi Province but unfortunately was destroyed in 1970. The existing structures of Shouliang Temple were built during the Qing Dynasty. Currently, a wooden-carved large Buddha has been reinstalled in the main hall. The temple is a key open temple in Jiangxi Province.

Shouliang Temple is situated on Zhongshan Road in Ganzhou City, adjacent to the Song Dynasty city wall. It was built during the Later Liang Dynasty of the Five Dynasties period (907–923 AD), boasting a history of over a thousand years.

I. The Founding of Shouliang Temple Has a Legendary Story

During the Later Liang Dynasty of the Five Dynasties period, Lu Guangchou served as the Pacification Commissioner of Baisheng, and he was also the longest-serving and highest-ranking administrative official in the history of Ganzhou (holding office for 32 years). Lu Guangchou was troubled by a plague that afflicted his entire household. Despite seeking renowned doctors, administering good medicine, praying at shrines, and consulting diviners, nothing worked. Eventually, he invited monks Daocheng and Daocheng, whose miraculous skills cured him. Deeply grateful, Lu Guangchou wanted to reward them generously with gold and silver, but Daocheng simply smiled and said, “A patch of land for one kasaya will suffice,” meaning he only hoped for a piece of land to build a modest temple. The generous Lu Guangchou immediately donated his eastern garden and had people construct the temple, initially naming it “Lu Xing Yanshou.” It was later renamed “Shengshou” and then, during the Xiangfu era of the Song Dynasty (1008–1016 AD), it was renamed again to Shouliang Temple.

II. Repeatedly Ravaged by War and Calamity, Yet Enduring Through All — A History Rich in Reconstruction Stories

In the late Yuan Dynasty, Shouliang Temple was destroyed in a war. During the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1368–1398 AD), Monk Rong’an rebuilt the temple through great hardship. Grand Secretary Xie Jin composed the “Inscription on the Revival of Shouliang Temple” and wrote the “Brief Record of the Reconstruction of Shouliang Temple,” both of which are extremely precious.

During the Shunzhi era of the Qing Dynasty (1644–1661 AD), Hu Yousheng, the Commander-in-Chief of Southern Jiangxi, also contributed to its restoration, which is commendable.

Shouliang Temple once housed an iron statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, cast and donated by Lu Guangchou, standing over six meters tall. It was the largest iron statue in Jiangxi Province.

Transportation: Take bus No. 8 directly to the site

Address: No. 23, Zhongshan Road, Zhanggong District, Ganzhou City

Type: Historical Site / Temple

Phone: 0797-8351072

Ticket Information:

Door Price: 20.0 RMB