“A sacred spring, a bustling temple…” the old monk whispered, his eyes twinkling as he gestured towards the Lingquan Temple ruins. Here, at the Lingquan Temple site in Beitou, Taipei, whispers of history mingle with the rustling leaves. Lingquan Temple, also known as “Temple of the Spiritual Spring,” stands as a testament to Taiwan’s rich Buddhist heritage. The very ground beneath our feet once pulsed with the energy of devoted monks and visiting dignitaries.
Lingquan Temple wasn’t always the grand complex we imagine from its ruins. It began as a simple mountain lodge, established in 1891, serving as a meeting place for local scholars and literati. Nearby, a spring, also called “Lingquan,” flowed continuously, providing water and inspiring the lodge’s future name. A poignant story circulated about an ossuary near the lodge, said to hold the remains of unmarried women.
The turn of the century brought significant changes. In 1900, Master Shan Zhi of Fuzhou’s Longquan Temple arrived in Beitou to spread his teachings. His followers grew rapidly, necessitating a larger space. Generous donations led to the construction of a new temple complex on land near the lodge. The design was ambitious: a four-sided courtyard with a main hall housing a statue of Sakyamuni Buddha and side halls dedicated to the Four Heavenly Kings. Statues of the Buddha, the Sixteen Arhats, and Dharma protectors, crafted by renowned sculptor Lin Qiqi, adorned the halls. By 1903, the temple, under the leadership of Master Shan Zhi, was formally named Lingquan Temple. It quickly became a major hub for Buddhism in Northern Taiwan, with connections to over a hundred Buddhist temples and halls across the island. Even the esteemed Master Xuyun visited Lingquan Temple to pay his respects.
In the years following World War II, Master De Yuan returned from Shanghai to the original mountain lodge to continue his Buddhist practices and teachings. Lingquan Temple’s influence waned as political and geographical circumstances shifted. However, under the guidance of Master Qing Xu, the fourth abbot, the temple experienced a revival. He oversaw the construction of a road, connecting the temple to nearby areas, a road that is still used by locals today. Lingquan Temple, located on Liuhe Street in Beitou’s Zhi Shan Li district, stands as a reminder of the enduring power of faith and resilience. Even today, the original mountain lodge, though sealed off due to age, remains a protected historical building, along with the three ossuary towers behind it, an unusual example of Indian-style Buddhist architecture rarely seen in Taiwan. The echoes of chanting, the murmur of prayers, they still linger here, woven into the fabric of Lingquan Temple.