Zhinan Temple Introduction
Zhinan Temple is located at No. 115, Wanshou Road, Wenshan District, Taipei City, at the foothills of Zhinan Mountain, with an altitude of 285 meters. It was established in the 16th year of the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty (1890 AD) by Wang Binlin, the magistrate of Tamsui, who brought the spirit from Yongle Palace in Shanxi to Taiwan. The temple complex covers dozens of hectares, filled with ancient trees providing dense shade. The temple comprises five main halls: the Pure Yang Hall, the Lingxiao Hall, the Great Hero Hall, the Great Achievement Hall, and the Ksitigarbha Hall. In addition to the auxiliary halls, including the Taisui Hall, Yuhuang Hall, Sanqing Hall, Doumu Hall, Shanxi Sacred Hall, and Yuan Tong Hall, there are over ten structures altogether, all built against the mountain, grand and solemn. The architecture mainly employs sturdy stone materials and is covered with copper tiles, capable of lasting a thousand years. A long corridor connects the two main halls, featuring pavilions and ponds where flowers bloom year-round, creating a fresh atmosphere and captivating scenery. It is the most renowned Taoist monastery in Taiwan, hailed as “the number one spiritual mountain in the world.” Due to the frequent organization of large religious activities and participation in international religious affairs, its reputation has spread far and wide, becoming a world-class tourist attraction. Zhinan Temple primarily worships the Pure Yang Ancestor Master Lü Dongbin, officially known in Taoism as “Fu You Emperor,” but commonly referred to as “Xian Gong” or “Lü Zu” among the people. Lü Zu was a figure from the Tang Dynasty, well-versed in literature, who once passed the imperial examination and served as a county magistrate. Because of his deep reverence for the Tao, he encountered the immortal Master Zhongli Quan of the Zhengyang sect, who enlightened him through a significant dream and tested him by turning stone into gold, imparting the heart teachings, leading to his enlightenment and ascension into the immortal ranks. However, due to his aspiration to “save all living beings,” he frequently manifests to help people, leaving many miraculous tales, and there are dedicated temples honoring him throughout the country, with Zhinan Temple being the most beloved among visitors. Since the operation of the Maokong Gondola, access has become even more convenient, welcoming tourists at any time. Architecturally, all buildings at Zhinan Temple are primarily constructed with nanmu, blue stone tiles, and copper tiles, integrating Northern palace style, Minnan traditional aesthetics, and Buddhist design. The Pure Yang Hall is a late representative work of the renowned Taiwanese master Chen Yingbin, while the Lingxiao Hall is the tallest temple structure in Taiwan, adorned with cloud and beast sculptures on the ridge and featuring exquisite dragon and phoenix decorations, majestic and splendid. The Great Hero Hall resembles a Buddha's head, making it particularly special. The Ksitigarbha Hall has a solemn appearance with eighteen arhats surrounding it, set in a beautiful landscape. (Source: Wenshan District Office, Taipei City)
