Shankuang Temple, Xinbeitou Introduction
Shankō-ji Temple, unlike other temples with extravagant decorations, has a very simple appearance. Although Shankō-ji is generally not open to the public, during the cherry blossom season, visitors can still enjoy the寒櫻 (寒櫻) and 山櫻 (山櫻花) at the entrance stairs, complemented by two stone lanterns at the entrance, adding a unique flavor as a hidden cherry blossom viewing spot in Beitou. Beitou Shankō-ji is a temple of the Pure Land sect's Nishiyama Shinkusa branch and was a center of faith for Japanese immigrants at that time. The temple's stupa, which houses the relics of the Buddha, is quite famous, enshrining the relics of Shakyamuni Buddha brought back from Japan. Beitou Shankō-ji traces its origins to the Shinano Shankō-ji in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, and was established in the 21st year of the Republic of China (1932) by the 117th master, Shōen Ni, who selected the site for foundation and appointed the first abbot, Nakano Zenno. In the 35th year of the Republic, at the beginning of Taiwan's recovery, the incense of Shankō-ji continued to flourish under Master Jingkong Baozhu. In the 48th year of the Republic, the temple's Japanese-style shrine was destroyed in the "87 Flood," leading to the construction of a new hall in the 51st year, where the pagoda was completed in September of the same year to enshrine the relics of Shakyamuni Buddha, which is the most significant feature of the temple. Shankō-ji primarily worships Shakyamuni Buddha, so the Shakyamuni Hall enshrines the Three Treasures Buddha (Shakyamuni Buddha, Medicine Buddha, and Amitabha Buddha), while the Dharma King Hall houses Amitabha Buddha. As it is a place for monks to practice during non-festival days, it is not open for worship, only during festival ceremonies. One of the most striking features of Shankō-ji is the Buddhist pagoda built in 1962, which is modeled after Indian Buddhist temple architecture, consisting of three tiers, each crowned with a feature representing Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. The top tier houses the relics of Shakyamuni Buddha brought back from Japan; the middle and lower tiers are spirit towers. The pagoda is adorned with bronze bells, and four dragons guard the four corners, giving it an impressive demeanor, while golden lotuses embellish the edges. Additionally, Shankō-ji retains many relics from the Japanese period, such as the stone statues in front of the Dharma King Hall and eighty-six stone Buddha statues. In the courtyard of the temple stands the "Okamoto Ōsu Token Monument," commemorating the 1905 discovery of radiation-rich "Beitou Stone" (Hokutolite) by Japanese mineralogist Okamoto Yōhachirō in the Beitou creek valley near New Beitou. Furthermore, "Takahashi Tomi Sho" specially erected an "Okamoto Ōsu Token Monument" in Beitou in 1940, which, after many trials and tribulations, was preserved in Shankō-ji, serving as the best testament to the historical significance of Beitou Stone. (Source: Japanese-style Beitou - Walking Tour)
