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Yuantong Zen Temple (Yuantong Temple)

2025-09-24
886-2-22472350
新北市中和區圓通路367巷64號
The Yuantong Zen Temple in Zhonghe District, New Taipei City, was built in 1926 and took 51 years to complete. In 1924, Reverend Miaoqing decided to build a Buddhist temple in Zhonghe and spent two years searching for a suitable site. She chose the current location because of its stunning view of Guanyin Mountain in Wugu. Construction began in 1926 with the building of the Gongde Hall, followed by the foundation and walls made of stones from the mountain, and concrete made of gravel, sand, and soil. It took several decades to complete the Daxiong Baodian Hall. Unfortunately, Reverend Miaoqing passed away in 1955 at the age of 55 due to years of hard work. The second abbot, Reverend Dazen, passed away in 1976. The third abbot, Reverend Dajing, and the chairman, Reverend Dasheng, worked together to plan and complete the unfinished temple projects. The temple was finally completed in 1977, and a completion ceremony was held the same year. The construction of Yuantong Temple took 51 years and required the efforts of three abbots over two generations. The fourth abbot, Reverend Ruhu, was ordained by Reverend Miaoqing in 1953 and graduated from the China Buddhist Tripitaka Academy. He enjoyed calligraphy and painting. To fulfill his teacher's wish, he built a library dedicated to Buddhist research, which was completed in 1982. The current abbot, Reverend Xinghong, took office in 2016. Yuantong Zen Temple features a pure Buddhist architectural style, using stones and soil from the mountain as building materials. The temple blends seamlessly into the surrounding landscape and exudes an impressive aura. The temple entrance is flanked by stone sculptures of a giant lion and elephant, creating a solemn atmosphere. As visitors enter the temple and climb the stairs, they can see the main hall, which reflects a mix of architectural styles due to its long construction period. The basic design is a Tang-style structure with a subtle Japanese influence, reflecting Taiwan's history and culture.
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