Purple Bamboo Temple

Purple Bamboo Temple

“Purple Bamboo Temple” (commonly referred to as “Hukou Nunnery” by locals) is located on the picturesque southern slope of Dafeng Mountain in Hukou Village, Hexi Town. From the mountain, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views such as the scenic Hetu area and the returning sails at Wukeng. The temple enjoys excellent transportation access—Guangzhou–Shantou Highway, which runs across Lufeng, is just one kilometer away, and the city of Lucheng is approximately six kilometers from the site, making its location highly advantageous.

The earliest Taoist temple in Lufeng was built in the 27th year of the Kangxi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1688 AD) in Caiyuanzhai, Donghai Town, and was then called “Juesheng Temple.” Later, due to the noise of urban life, and following the suggestion of Zhong Yuzhang, the abbot of Huizhou’s “Yuanmiao Temple,” a new location was chosen in 1897 on the southern side of Dafeng Mountain in Hukou Village, Hexi Town. The construction was overseen by Chen Zongxian, the disciple of Zhong Yuzhang’s disciple. Upon completion, the original “Juesheng Temple” was renamed “Purple Bamboo Temple,” the name by which it has been known ever since.

Purple Bamboo Temple has a long history and belongs to the Quanzhen Longmen Sect of Taoism. It shares lineage with other famous temples such as “Chongxu Ancient Temple” on Mount Luofu in Boluo, “Yuanmiao Temple” in Huizhou, “Sanyuan Palace” in Guangzhou, and “Baiyun Temple” in Beijing. Originally built in the 23rd year of the Guangxu reign (1897 AD), it covers an area of 1,050 square meters, with a constructed area of 860 square meters. In addition, there are orchards, vegetable gardens, and farmland spanning 65 mu. The temple complex includes structures such as the Jade Emperor Hall, Guanyin Hall, Three Pure Ones Hall, pavilions, reception halls, the abbot’s quarters, and staff residences. The architectural work is remarkably precise and refined, with majestic and well-proportioned designs of high craftsmanship.

In 1924, Peng Pai, a leader of the agrarian movement, stayed at Purple Bamboo Temple for half a year while leading the peasant revolutionary struggle in areas such as Hounkeng, Hukou, and Huti. At that time, the Peasant Association office was also located in this temple.

After the liberation of China, the Taoist monks and nuns of Purple Bamboo Temple were disbanded. In 1956, the temple was converted into Hukou Primary School; in 1958, it hosted the Tanci Agricultural Middle School; in 1960, it became the site of the Tanci Commune Farm; from 1961 to 1963, it housed the Lufeng Veterans Retirement Home and Elderly Care Home; in 1966, it was again used as Hukou Farm; and in 1973, Purple Bamboo Temple was demolished. However, after the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in 1979, the policy of religious freedom was reinstated, and the former abbot Chen Chengzhang and the Taoist community gradually returned to the temple. They also managed to recover some of the dispersed historical relics, including a pair of ancient ceramic vases made in 1465 (during the Ming Dynasty's Chenghua era), two white marble incense burners from 1908 (the second year of the Qing Xuantong reign) and 1934 (the 23rd year of the Republic of China), as well as ancient statues of the Jade Emperor and Guanyin Bodhisattva, a collection of Taoist scriptures, and several ancient stone-carved couplets preserved within the temple. The tomb of the founding abbot Zhong Yuzhang is located at the foot of the temple. In the winter of 1990, thanks to donations exceeding 700,000 yuan from compatriots in Hong Kong, Macau, and overseas Chinese, as well as domestic contributors, religious buildings such as the Sanqing Hall were restored, adding to the temple’s splendor.

Purple Bamboo Temple currently has twelve resident Taoists, with the 87-year-old Chen Xinzheng serving as the abbot. She is the 25th-generation Taoist of the Quanzhen Longmen Sect, and the lineage continues to the 26th generation. The Taoist precepts include three guidelines and five commandments. The three guidelines are: “Heavenly Scripture Protection, Master’s Protection, and Tao’s Protection.” The five commandments are: “Do not kill, do not commit sexual misconduct, do not steal, do not consume alcohol or meat, and do not speak falsely.”

As a Taoist activity site, Purple Bamboo Temple was officially approved for opening by the county government on May 27, 1988. Since its reopening, the temple has attracted not only local worshippers but also many visitors from Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese communities. Today, it sees a continuous flow of pilgrims and tourists throughout the year.