Shingon Temple, different from the gorgeous decorations of a typical temple, presents a simple appearance. Although Shingon Temple is usually closed to the public, during the cherry blossom season, the entrance stairs of Shingon Temple still offer a picturesque view of cold and mountain cherry blossoms. Paired with two stone lanterns at the entrance, it has a unique charm and is another secret spot for admiring cherry blossoms in Beitou.
Beitou Shingon Temple is a temple of the Jodo Sect, Shisan Shibuha School. It was a center of faith for Japanese immigrants at that time. The temple is famous for its relic tower, which enshrines the Shakyamuni Buddha relics brought back from Japan.
Beitou Shingon Temple originated from Shigong Temple in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. The 117th generation of Daihongan, Seiren Ni-gong, selected the current site and established it in 1932. The first generation, Nakano Zen-upon, was appointed as the chief priest.
In 1946, shortly after Taiwan's recovery, the temple's Dharma light was continued by the Pure and Dharma Jewel Master. In 1959, the temple's Japanese-style hall was destroyed in the "August 7 Flood Disaster". A new hall was built in 1962, and a stupa was built in September of the same year to enshrine the Shakyamuni Buddha relics, which is the most important feature of the temple.
The main deity of Shingon Temple is Shakyamuni Buddha. Therefore, the Shakya Hall enshrines the Three Jewels Buddha (Shakyamuni Buddha, Medicine Buddha, and Amida Buddha). The Dharma King Hall enshrines Amida Buddha. However, the temple is usually closed to the public due to the daily Buddhist scriptures and study sessions. It is only open during festivals and ceremonies.
The most striking feature of Shingon Temple is the Buddhist Relic Tower built in 1962, which is modeled after Indian Buddhist architecture. The tower has three layers, with the top layer enshrining the Shakyamuni Buddha relics brought back from Japan. The middle and bottom layers are spirit towers. The tower is decorated with copper bells, and the middle layer has four dragons guarding the four directions. The golden lotus flowers are located at the corners.
In addition to the above, Shingon Temple still retains many Japanese relics, such as the stone statue at the main gate of the Dharma King Hall and 86 stone-carved Buddha statues. In the temple's courtyard, there is a monument dedicated to Okamoto Yakuro, a Japanese mineralogist who discovered the radioactive "Beitou Stone" (Hokutolite) in the Beitou valley in 1905. The monument was originally erected in 1940 and has been preserved in Shingon Temple after many relocations, serving as a testament to the history of Beitou Stone.