Linji Huiguo Zen Temple Introduction
Linji Huguo Zen Temple, an extension of the Huguo Temple of the Linji School located in the Nanshan area during the Japanese colonial period, features architectural styles typical of Buddhist temples from the Edo period in Japan. Founded in 1900 and completed in 1911, Linji Huguo Zen Temple was established by Zen Master Ganxiu, a Japanese monk invited to Taiwan by the fourth Governor-General, Governor Kodama Gentarō, to promote Buddhist teachings. The Linji School is a branch of Buddhism distinct from the Soto School. The temple is situated beside a river, with the nearby Keelung River meandering past, covering a considerable area with a grand layout that originally included the mountain gate, Dharma hall, and main hall along with the abbot's hall. The main hall is well-preserved and is constructed entirely of wood with a hip-and-gable roof style. The mountain gate is built in the architectural style of the Edo period in Japan. Additionally, the large grinding stone in front of the temple and the gravesite of the founding ancestor behind the temple, along with stone-carved Buddha statues, also carry historical and cultural significance. Due to its historical, cultural, and artistic values, Linji Huguo Zen Temple was designated as a city-level historic site in 1998 under the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act. (Source: Taipei City Government Department of Cultural Affairs)
