灵山庵

“Is that a prayer I hear?” whispered a villager, pointing towards the nascent Lingshan Temple in 1927. Lingshan Temple, nestled in Chuansha New Town, began its life not amidst grandeur, but through the humble efforts of a local villager named Zhu. This Buddhist temple, known as Lingshan Nunnery, became a focal point for the community. Before liberation, villagers would gather here, their chants and prayers echoing through the simple structure. Lingshan Nunnery saw a succession of nuns leading the faithful. The first was known as Venerable Master Yuan’gen. She passed the torch to Venerable Master Guangrong. Then came Venerable Master Xinghai, who guided the nunnery through the tumultuous Cultural Revolution. The Cultural Revolution left its mark on Lingshan Temple, leaving it in disrepair. By 2000, Venerable Master Xinghai had passed away. With no successor in sight, the temple stood silent, cared for only by Xinghai’s adopted daughter. But the story of Lingshan Temple doesn’t end there. In 2003, at the urging of Xinghai’s adopted daughter, Venerable Master Changjue arrived. This marked a turning point for Lingshan Temple. Changjue embarked on a mission to rebuild and revive the temple. With support from the village, township, district, and even the area government, Lingshan Temple began its transformation. The temple grounds expanded, facing Chuannan Fenggong Road. The west side now houses the Daxiong Palace Buddha Hall. To the east, the Tianwang Hall and a storage area for bells and drums stand watch. Further east sits a two-story building, likely the nuns’ quarters. Beyond that lies a larger Buddha Hall and Changjue’s own living quarters. Changjue’s dedication brought new life to Lingshan Temple. In 2007, Pudong New Area’s Religious Affairs Bureau granted the temple official recognition as a religious site. A year later, under the guidance of the Pudong New Area Buddhist Association, Lingshan Temple became a branch of the prestigious Yongyin Temple. Three nuns were sent from Yongyin Temple, under the supervision of Venerable Master Baoliang, to ensure the continuation of Lingshan Temple’s Buddhist traditions. Today, Lingshan Temple continues to flourish. Its survival for over eighty years, despite adversity, testifies to the enduring strength of Buddhist faith within the community. Now an officially recognized religious site, Lingshan Temple serves as a sanctuary for local believers, a testament to the enduring power of faith and the unwavering dedication of its leaders.