In 1900, then Japanese Governor of Taiwan Kodama Gentaro (兒玉源太郎), who himself was affiliated with the same sect, requested monks from the Rinzai school (of Zen Buddhism in Japan) to come to Taiwan, build a temple, and promote Zen Buddhism on the land nearby the (then) newly constructed Taiwan Grand (Shinto) Shrine (台灣神社). The first abbot who also oversaw the construction was Kodama Gentaro’s university classmate, Iori Genshu (梅山玄秀), at the time of the invitation, already a well known monk in Osaka.[2]The temple was to be named later Rinzai Gokokuzen-ji (臨済護国禅寺), and it was a branch temple of RinzaiZenBuddhism in Japanese rule period. Construction of the temple started in 1900 and was completed in 1911(明治44年) with the original name Chin'nanzan Gokoku-ji Temple (鎮南護山國禪寺) which means that the temple was meant to help Protect the Southern Lands of the Japanese Empire. The statue of Sakyamuni was consecrated on June 21, 1912.[3][4]
In April 2007, the Taipei Municipal Government has allocated NT$18.05 million for the reconstruction project.
Outside of the Amitabha Hall and the main entrance gate in 2024, AugustInside of the Amitabha Hall during a sutra chanting ceremony in 2024, August
Mahavira Hall
The Mahavira Hall as seen from around one of its front corners in 2024A youth group listens to a guide’s explanation and observes the bell outside of the Mahavira Hall, on a hot and rainy day, early September of 2024Interior of the Mahavira Hall with tatami covered benches (used during Sunday meditation classes)
The Mahavira Hall was built with double-eaves gable and hip roofs. It modeled the architectural style of the Song dynasty. On each of the main ridge is a tile named "Onigawara". The Mahavira Hall houses statues of Sakyamuni (center), Guanyin (right) and Ksitigarbha (left).
Lotus Treasury Hall
The Lotus Treasury Hall in 2024, AugustInterior of The Lotus Treasury Hall in 2024, August
