Shankuan Temple, Beitou District, New Taipei City Introduction
Shankō-ji, unlike ordinary temples with their elaborate decorations, has a very simple appearance. Although Shankō-ji is generally not open to the public, during the cherry blossom season, visitors can enjoy the beauty of the cold and mountain cherry blossoms from the entrance steps, accompanied by two stone lanterns at the entrance, creating a unique charm. Located in Beitou, Shankō-ji is a temple of the Pure Land Buddhism's Nishiyama Shinkusa sect and served as a center of faith for Japanese immigrants at that time. The temple is renowned for its stupa that enshrines the relics of Siddhartha Gautama (Shakyamuni Buddha) brought back from Japan. Shankō-ji originated from the Shinano Shankō-ji in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, and was founded in the 21st year of the Republic of China (1932) by Priest Sui En, the 117th leader of the sect, who selected the present site. The first abbot was Nakano Zen'nō. In the 35th year of the Republic (1946), at the beginning of Taiwan's restoration, the temple's practices continued under Master Xuqiong Baozhu. In the 48th year of the Republic (1959), the Japanese-style halls of Shankō-ji were destroyed in the "87 Flood," leading to the construction of a new hall in the 51st year of the Republic (1962), during which the stupa was built in September to enshrine the relics of Shakyamuni Buddha, which is a significant feature of the temple. Shankō-ji primarily enshrines Shakyamuni Buddha; therefore, the main hall features the Three Treasures Buddhas (Shakyamuni Buddha, Medicine Buddha, and Amitabha Buddha), while the Hall of the Dharma King houses Amitabha Buddha. It is generally not open for worship by the public due to the monks' daily training; only on special festival days is the hall accessible. The most eye-catching structure within Shankō-ji is the pagoda built in 1962, modeled after Indian Buddhist architecture, featuring three tiers, each adorned with symbols of Buddha, precious treasures, and pagodas. The top tier enshrines the relics of Shakyamuni Buddha brought back from Japan; the middle and bottom tiers house spiritual bodies. The pagoda is surrounded by bronze bells, and four dragons guard the middle layer, exhibiting a majestic presence while golden lotuses embellish the corners. Additionally, Shankō-ji still retains many relics from the Japanese era, such as the stone statues at the main entrance of the Hall of the Dharma King and 86 carved Buddha figures. Furthermore, a "Okamoto Wō Sōtokuhai" stele stands proudly in the temple courtyard, commemorating the discovery of the radioactive "Hokutolite" by Japanese mineralogist Okamoto Yōhachirō in the Beitou creek valley near New Beitou in 1905. "Takaida Fujō" erected the "Okamoto Wō Sōtokuhai" stele in Beitou in 1940. After many twists and turns, it was preserved within Shankō-ji, serving as a testament to the history of Hokutolite. (Source: Japanese-style Beitou - Walking Exploration)
