Dongshan Temple Introduction
During World War II, the Japanese military established a military fortress at Dagang Mountain in Kaohsiung, and the nearby Longhu Temple was not spared. The monk Yuanrong, who was practicing there, subsequently moved to Bahei Grand Master Temple. Soon after, he was invited to serve as the abbot of Dongshan Zen Temple in Pingtung City. With the establishment of clear rules and the joint efforts of him and his disciple Tianji, they transformed the Zen temple into its current appearance. Dongshan Zen Temple originated as the "Pingtung Buddhist Linji Sect Missionary Office" during the Japanese colonial period, established in 1924, with its first abbot being the Japanese monk Donghai Yicheng, thus having deep ties to Japanese Buddhism, which can be seen from the architectural style within the temple. Additionally, it is the most famous "Nuns' Monastery" in Pingtung City, having nurtured many outstanding Buddhist female talents over the years. The temple covers a vast area, including the Main Hall, the Anle Pagoda, the Returning Soul Hall, a library, a worship pavilion, and an attached Dongshan Kindergarten. The temple's environment is tranquil, and its garden landscape is unique, earning it the reputation as the first garden temple in Kunshan. Important ceremonies are held regularly, with the Huayan Dharma Assembly in the third month of the lunar calendar lasting the longest.
