Shankuang Temple Introduction
Shankō-ji Temple, unlike ordinary temples with their extravagant decorations, has a very simple exterior. Although Shankō-ji is generally not open to the public, during the cherry blossom season, visitors can still enjoy the view of cold cherry and mountain cherry blossoms at the entrance steps, complemented by two stone lanterns at the entrance, providing a unique charm, making it a hidden gem for cherry blossom viewing in Beitou. Beitou Shankō-ji Temple is a temple of the Pure Land Sect, Nishiyama Shinkusa branch, that served as a center of faith for Japanese immigrants at the time. The temple is well-known for its relic stupa, which houses the relics of Shakyamuni Buddha brought back from Japan. Beitou Shankō-ji originates from the Shinano Shankō-ji in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, established in the 21st year of the Republic of China (1932, Showa 7), by the 117th Abbot Kōyō, who chose the current site for its foundation, and appointed the first abbot, Nakano Zen-nō. In the 35th year of the Republic of China, shortly after the restoration of Taiwan, the temple’s light continued to thrive under the guidance of Xuankong Baozhu. In the 48th year of the Republic of China, the Japanese-style building of Shankō-ji was destroyed in the "August 7 Flood," leading to the construction of a new hall in the 51st year, along with the commemoration of a pagoda in September of that year to enshrine the relics of Shakyamuni Buddha, which is the temple's most important feature. Shankō-ji primarily enshrines Shakyamuni Buddha, hence the Shakyamuni Hall also houses the Three Treasures Buddhas (Shakyamuni Buddha, Bhaisajyaguru, and Amitabha), while the Dharma King Hall is dedicated to Amitabha. Due to daily practice by the monks, the temple is generally not open for worship, only on festival days. The most striking feature of Shankō-ji is the stupa constructed in the 51st year of the Republic of China, which imitates the architecture of Indian Buddhist temples, consisting of three tiers, crowned with Buddha, treasure, and pagoda, with the upper tier enshrining the relics of Shakyamuni Buddha brought back from Japan; the middle and bottom tiers serve as spiritual body structures. The stupa is adorned with copper bells around its four sides. Four dragons guard the middle layer from each direction, exuding majesty, while golden lotus flowers adorn the corners. In addition, Shankō-ji maintains many remnants of Japanese heritage, such as the stone statues at the main entrance of the Dharma King Hall and eighty-six stone Buddha statues. Additionally, there stands an "Okamoto Ong Sōdoku Stele" in the temple courtyard, commemorating the discovery of "Beitou Stone" (Hokutolite), rich in radiation, by Japanese mineralogist Okamoto Yōhachirō in the Beitou River Valley near New Beitou in 1905. The "Takata Fuzō" erected an "Okamoto Ong Sōdoku Stele" in Beitou in 1940, which, after numerous twist and turns, has been preserved in Shankō-ji, serving as the best testament to this part of Beitou Stone history. (Source: Wafū Beitou - Field Research)
