Yuantong Temple Introduction
Yuantong Zen Temple, located in Zhonghe District, New Taipei City, was established in the 15th year of the Republic of China, taking 51 years to complete. In the 13th year of the Republic, Master Miaoqing traveled from Hsinchu to Zhonghe with the intention of establishing a temple. After two years of searching for land, she chose the current site, which offers a magnificent view of Guanyin Mountain in Wugu. Construction began in the 15th year of the Republic with the initial building of the Merit Hall, followed by the foundation work. Stones from the mountain were used to build the walls, and crushed stones mixed with sand served as the building materials. After several decades, the Mahavira Hall was completed. Unfortunately, due to prolonged hard work, Master Miaoqing passed away in the 44th year of the Republic at the age of 55. The second abbot, Master Dachan, passed away in the 65th year of the Republic, followed by the third abbot, Master Dajing, who, along with the director Master Dasheng, planned the unfinished projects within the temple and continued the construction, which was finally completed in the 66th year of the Republic, along with a completion ceremony held that same year. The construction of Yuantong Temple took 51 years and involved two generations with three abbots, overcoming many difficulties. The fourth abbot, Master Ruhui, was ordained by Master Miaoqing in the 42nd year of the Republic and graduated from the Buddhist Academy of China. In addition to studying Buddhism, he also enjoyed painting and calligraphy. To fulfill his wish, he built a library specifically for the study of Buddhist scriptures, which was completed in the 71st year of the Republic. The current abbot, Master Xinghong, took office in the 105th year of the Republic (2016). Yuantong Zen Temple features a purely Buddhist architectural style, using materials from the surrounding mountains, making the stone temple integrated with its surroundings while exhibiting a grand atmosphere. At the entrance of the temple, there are massive stone sculptures of a lion and an elephant on either side, creating a solemn ambiance. By walking up the steps through the mountain gate, visitors can see the main hall of Yuantong Temple. Due to the lengthy construction time, various architectural styles have merged, primarily imitating the Tang dynasty form while incorporating slight Japanese elements, reflecting Taiwan's history and culture.
