Dongshan Temple Introduction
During World War II, the Japanese military established a fortress at Dagang Mountain in Kaohsiung, and the nearby Longhu Temple was not spared. The monk Yuanrong, who practiced there, moved to Baihe Daxian Temple. Soon after, he was invited to become the abbot of Dongshan Zen Temple in Pingtung City. The monk Yuanrong established strict regulations, and together with his disciple Tianji, they transformed the Zen temple into its current form. The predecessor of Dongshan Zen Temple was the "Pingtung Buddhist Linji Sect Propagation Center," established in 1924 during the Japanese colonial period, with the first abbot being the Japanese monk Tokai Yisheng. This establishes a deep connection with Japanese Buddhism, which can be glimpsed from the architectural style of the temple. Additionally, this is the most famous "Nuns' Monastery" in Pingtung City, which has nurtured many outstanding female Buddhist talents over the years. The temple grounds are vast, featuring the Main Buddha Hall, Anle Tower, Returning Soul Hall, library, worship pavilion, and the attached Dongshan Kindergarten. The environment is tranquil, and the garden landscape stands out uniquely, earning it the title of the first garden temple in Kun'an. Important ceremonies are regularly held, with the Huayan ceremony in the third month of the lunar calendar being the longest.
