Introduction to Haitian Zen Temple

The predecessor of Haitian Zen Temple is commonly known as the "Red Temple". The villagers called it the Red Temple because of the red light that appeared when the temple was first founded and because the founder Chen Dan was nicknamed the "Red-faced Man". It has been a common practice to this day.

The Red Temple is located outside the Dadongmen of Taicang City. According to legend, it was built in the Chiwu period of Sun Wu during the Three Kingdoms period (238-251). It was donated by Chen Dan (known as "Red Face"), a large Taicang businessman who often led his fleet to sail and trade. Since then, additions have been made in successive dynasties, and the scale has gradually expanded. It reached its peak during the Xuande period of the Ming Dynasty (1426-1435). At that time, it occupied an area of ??100 acres, with six halls, six halls, four floors and three pavilions, and more than 100 houses. There are no less than a hundred resident monks, and the incense is strong. In addition to the entire 24 acres of the county, the radiation area also reaches as far as the four prefectures and eighteen counties (the four prefectures are Tongzhou in the north of the Yangtze River, Suzhou, Songjiang, Jiaxing in the south of the Yangtze River, etc.).

Liujiagang to the east of the temple is the gateway to Taicang. Because it is located at the confluence of the Jianghai River, it has always been an important place for military strategists to attack and defend the Yangtze River Estuary. According to historical legend, Han Shizhong, a famous general of the Southern Song Dynasty, defeated the Jin soldiers here. Zheng He, the famous navigator of the Ming Dynasty, started his seven voyages to the West from here. Li Zicheng, the loyal king of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, fought with Qing soldiers here and won the "Victory at Banqiao". Because of its unique geographical location, the Red Temple suffered numerous wars and vicissitudes, and was later destroyed in the catastrophe of the "Cultural Revolution".

In 1992, with the approval of the government, a Buddhist temple was built east of the original site of the Red Temple to engage in Buddhist research, promote oriental culture, and integrate temples, schools, nursing homes for the elderly, and tourist attractions. A new integrated ancient temple. In April 1994, Mr. Su Yuanlei, a professor at East China Normal University and over 80 years old, visited the Red Temple under construction. He wrote with a splash of ink, "The sea water shakes the sky green, the ceiling blows, the wind and moon are good beside Zen, the temple It originated from "opening next to Banqiao" and named it Haitian Temple.

After eight years of hard work, the temple has begun to take shape, with the Free Life Pond, Bodhi Bridge, Nine-winding Corridor, Five Hundred Arhat Hall, Sanbao Tower, etc. built. At the end of 2000, the Suzhou Buddhist Association specially hired Master Hongfa as the director of the Haitian Zen Temple Committee, and Master Hongcheng as the deputy director of the Haitian Zen Temple Committee, shouldering the important responsibility of carrying forward the past and opening up the future. The main buildings such as the Grand Archway, Shanmen Hall, Tianwang Hall, Guanyin Hall, Ksitigarbha Hall, and Mahavira Hall have been built. The Ten Thousand Buddhas Pagoda, Abbot Tower, Monk Residence, and Nursing Home have also been built, and the temple landscape has been beautified and greened.

Today’s Haitian Zen Temple covers an area of ??more than 100 acres and has a superior geographical environment. It is close to the Yangtze River Expressway to the east, the Yangtze River to the east, National Highway 204 to the west, the Sukuntai Expressway to the north, and the metropolis Shanghai to the south. It is not far from Kunshan, Suzhou, Wuxi and other cities. It can be said that the transportation is convenient, the things are prosperous and the people are abundant, thousands of businessmen gather, and humanities gather together. Haitian Zen Temple shows a new appearance of the ancient temple. With the beautiful scenery and unique cultural connotation of the temple, it attracts countless tourists and pilgrims to burn incense and worship Buddha, practice Zen and relax, or rest in peace and health.