Hsinchu Puxian Temple
Main Deities
About
In the main hall of Hsinchu Puxian Temple, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva rides a six-tusked white elephant, serene and dignified — the most striking sight of this Buddhist temple in Hsinchu's East District. Dedicated to Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, its buildings are quiet and refined, a rare patch of stillness in the city center. In Buddhism, Samantabhadra represents 'Great Practice,' the power to put the Dharma into daily life step by step; so those who come here mostly seek not wealth or fame but the steadiness to advance in practice and fulfill their vows. For anyone wanting to catch a breath amid the rush, Puxian Temple is a good place to sit down.
History
Hsinchu Puxian Temple was founded during the Daoguang reign of the Qing dynasty (around the 1830s), built with funds raised by local gentry, at first only a small Buddhist temple. Through repeated renovations and expansions from the late Qing into the Japanese colonial period, it gradually became an important Buddhist temple in the Hsinchu area. Dedicated to Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, it is known for 'practice and vow' — Samantabhadra's Ten Great Vows are the very heart of Mahayana Buddhist practice. Its architecture blends Minnan and Japanese styles, every brick and tile bearing the cultural imprint of a different age. After the war the temple continued to expand, adding a lecture hall and a library and actively promoting Buddhist education and charity. Quiet and shaded by ancient trees, it is a rare place for still cultivation in central Hsinchu.
Hsinchu Puxian Temple
East District, Hsinchu City
Visitor Info
Address
No. 536, Sec. 1, Guangfu Rd., East Dist., Hsinchu City
Region
East District, Hsinchu City