北投普濟寺

Beitou Puji Temple

January 24th, 2016

Puji Temple, Beitou — A rare example of a Japanese-style temple in Taiwan.

In an attempt to escape the cold wave sweeping through Taiwan this weekend I went on a brief trip to Beitou, home to a historic hot springs area in north Taipei. While wandering along mountain roads I ticked another sight off my list: the beautiful Japanese colonial era Pǔjì Temple (普濟寺), now more than a hundred years old.

More about this old temple from roundTAIWANround (with added links):

Puji Temple is a rare example of temple architecture practiced by the Shingon sect of Japanese Vajrayana Buddhism. Originally named Tiezhen Temple, this Japanese-style temple was first built in 1905 from donations by Japanese railway employees. It is dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy Avalokiteshvara (more generally known as Guanyin in Taiwan), who is regarded, among other responsibilities, as a guardian spirit of hot springs. With a wooden hall, curving pillars and bell-shaped windows, visiting Puji Temple makes you feel like you are back to Japan’s Edo period.

Additionally, in conversation with a woman inside the temple I was informed that renovations have not preserved several features of the original Japanese design, among them the bare wooden beams that have since been painted. I don’t know much of anything about this stuff—for me, this was a cool temple to visit, very different from others I have been to in Taiwan and worth the short climb from Wēnquán Road (溫泉路).

Bonus: there was a monk droning out some mantras while tapping repeatedly on one of those little wooden fish you see around at temples. Tap tap tap tap tap…