Shanjue Temple in Shiping County, Honghe

Shanjue Temple (善觉寺) is located on the rear mountain of Baoguo Temple (报国寺) at Mount Emei (峨眉山), beneath Songhuangping (宋皇坪) in Sichuan Province (四川省). Commonly known as “Erping” (二坪), it was first built during the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (明万历年间) by Master Daode (道德禅师) and was originally named “Xianglong Courtyard” (降龙院).

In the 41st year of the Kangxi reign (康熙四十一年, 1702) of the Qing Dynasty (清朝), the temple was renamed “Shanjue Temple” to avoid a taboo on the imperial title “True Dragon Son of Heaven” (真龙天子). Emperor Kangxi (康熙帝) granted the temple an inscribed plaque, couplets, and a copy of the Diamond Sutra (《金刚经》). An octagonal pavilion was built inside the temple to enshrine a statue of the emperor, echoing the style of the nearby Fuhu Temple (伏虎寺). Surrounded by ancient towering trees, the temple offers distant views of the Emei Plain (峨眉平原), while Songhuangping behind the temple is traditionally believed to be the site where the Yellow Emperor (轩辕黄帝) once sought the Way.

Historical Background

Shanjue Temple was originally built during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty by Master Daode and named “Xianglong Courtyard.” In the early Qing period, the abbot, Master Yuanheng (元亨禅师), was highly respected. In 1702, Emperor Kangxi, inspired by Buddhist scriptures, bestowed the name “Shanjue Temple” and granted the temple an imperial plaque, a couplet reading “Wherever flowers fall, they become rain; when one walks, the staff brings forth a spring,” a copy of the Diamond Sutra, and a jade seal staff engraved with “Dharma Treasure of Samantabhadra, King of Vows.” The emperor also composed a quatrain in praise of Master Yuanheng.

Out of gratitude, Master Yuanheng built an octagonal pavilion to house a statue of Emperor Kangxi, known as the “Yanxi Pavilion” (厌熙亭). Although the pavilion has since collapsed, its remains are preserved for future restoration.

During the Cultural Revolution (文化大革命), the temple was left without monastic management and was occupied by local villagers. After the restoration of religious policy, the temple was returned to the Buddhist Association. At that time, the halls were dilapidated and statues destroyed. In March 1989, the City Buddhist Association appointed Bhikkhuni Hongzhi (宏智法师) as the abbess to restore the temple. Through ten years of fundraising and effort from devotees, the temple was rebuilt with four main halls, guest quarters, meditation halls, monastic residences, and refectories, making it more splendid than before. Restoration costs totaled one million yuan, and the temple is now open to the public free of charge.

Architectural Features

Above the mountain gate hangs a plaque with the temple’s name, written by contemporary eminent monk Master Bianneng (遍能大师). The gate couplet reads: “In the deep forest of Fuhu, one can truly subdue the tiger; with the great virtue of Xianglong, one can truly tame the dragon.”

• First Hall: Maitreya Hall (弥勒殿), connected to the mountain gate, enshrines a statue of Maitreya Buddha with the Four Heavenly Kings.

• Second Hall: Hall of Samantabhadra (普贤殿), with a seated statue of Samantabhadra; plaque reads “Merciful Clouds Envelop All” (慈云普覆).

• Third Hall: Medicine Buddha Hall (药师殿), enshrining a statue of the Medicine Buddha, including a 0.8-meter-high bronze statue.

• Fourth Hall: Mahavira Hall (大雄宝殿), with couplets extolling the boundless virtues of the Buddha.

The temple is well maintained, with solemn statues and lush ancient cypress and camphor trees. From its heights, visitors enjoy panoramic views of the Emei Plain and the surrounding countryside. Songhuangping behind the temple is linked to legends of the Yellow Emperor’s Daoist studies, making Shanjue Temple a place of interest for both devotees and tourists.

Current Leadership

The current abbess and supervisor, Master Hongzhi (宏智法师), Dharma name Yihui (义慧), was born Huang Yuzhen (黄玉珍) in Nanchong, Sichuan Province. She ordained in 1983 at Chunyang Hall (纯阳殿) of Mount Emei under Master Kuanci (宽慈法师), received full ordination at Baoguang Temple (宝光寺) in 1987, and was appointed to Shanjue Temple in 1989. She personally participated in restoration work, from transporting building materials to cultivating vegetables for self-sufficiency, earning respect from both the local community and the Buddhist circle. She also serves as a council member of the Mount Emei Buddhist Association.