Dongshan Temple Introduction
During World War II, the Japanese military established a military fortress at Daping Mountain in Kaohsiung, and the nearby Longhu An could not escape its fate. The monk Yuanrong, who practiced there, then moved to Baihe Daxian Temple. Soon after, he was invited to serve as the Abbott at Dongshan Zen Temple in Pingtung City. Under his establishment of clear regulations and the joint efforts with his disciple Tiangji, the temple has been developed into its current form. Dongshan Zen Temple was originally the "Pingtung Buddhist Rinzai Sect Propagation Center," established in 1924 during the Japanese colonial period, with the first abbott being the Japanese monk Donghai Yicheng, thus having deep roots in Japanese Buddhism, evident from the architectural style within the temple. Additionally, it is the most renowned "nun's monastery" in Pingtung City, nurturing many outstanding female Buddhist talents over the years. The temple covers a vast area and includes the Mahavira Hall, Anle Tower, Return of the Soul Hall, library, and worship pavilion, along with an attached Dongshan Kindergarten. The temple environment is serene, with a unique garden landscape, earning the title of the first garden Buddhist temple in Kunshan. Important ceremonies are regularly held, with the Huayan Festival in the third month of the lunar calendar being the longest.
