Jinshan Temple

CHINA, Jiangsu, Zhenjiang

Jinshan means Golden Mountain. Jinshan Temple, Gaomin Temple, and Tianning Temple are the Three Major Temples of the Linji school. Jinshan Temple is associated with eminent monks who became its abbots, and with the poet Su Shi. It is one of the most famous temples in Jiangnan (region south of the Yangtze River). The temple was founded during the Eastern Jin dynasty (317–420), but has subsequently been destroyed and rebuilt a number of times. Most of the existing structures were built during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911). It was listed as a key Buddhist temple in the Han region of China in 1983.
The temple is integrated well with the contours of the mountain. Jinshan is very steep, but with a height of a little more than 30 m, it is not tall; its ridge runs from south to north. The temple faces west and is built along the western slope, practically occupying the entire western side of the hill. At the front of the temple, there is a three-bay wide, double-eave stone gateway with angled walls at the sides. Lying along the central axis there are buildings such as the main temple gate, Heavenly King Hall, Great Hero Hall, and sutra repository. Pavilions can be found dotted along the ridge of the mountain. The Compassionate Longevity Pagoda is located on a low point at the northern end of the ridge.
Reconstructed in 1900, the Compassionate Longevity Pagoda is considered the landmark of Jinshan Temple. The seven-story, octagonal, wood and brick pagoda is 30 m high. There is a room on each story with doors on alternate sides, and a wooden staircase leading to the top. Elegant Jiangnan region features, such as the tall spire and the exaggerated upturned corners of the eaves, are incorporated into the design.