Kai Shan Monastery Introduction
Located between the Visitor Center and Lingyun Zen Temple, this serene and elegant environment features a traditional two-story stone building. Built in 1925 by Master Benyuan, it serves as a place for meditation and the transmission of Buddhist teachings. The structure is primarily made of stones from Guanyin Mountain, and the dome-like shape is likely inspired by ancient Indian Buddhist architecture. Its square structure resembles a Western-style building, with arched window sills on the second floor, blending elements of Minnan Chinese architecture and Western styles. This reflects the significant influence of Japanese Westernization on the architecture when the foundation temple was built. Inside the courtyard stands a lifelike stone Buddha statue draped in a robe and holding a bowl, with the inscription "Huashan Institute Dharma Emperor" on its pedestal. In 1926, Japanese devotees from the Kansai region donated 33 stone-carved Guanyin statues, establishing the 33 Guanyin sacred sites on Guanyin Mountain, representing the 33 manifestations of Guanyin Bodhisattva in human form, either male, female, old, or young. Following the tradition of "Saikoku 33 Kannon," an additional statue of the high monk Huashan Dharma Emperor, who advocates the "33 Sacred Sites" faith, is included, depicted in a robe and holding a bowl. The founding temple is not far from the Lengyan Pavilion, and both places serve as venues for propagating the Dharma and meditation, thus being referred to as the "Mother and Child Temples." Currently, it is privately owned by the temple and is not open to the public.
