Shuxiang Temple

Shuxiang Temple is located on the southwest side of Tayuan Temple. It got the name because it was built for worshiping Manjusri. It was built in early East Jin Dynasty, and rebuilt in Tang Dynasty. Second rebuilding fell in 1325. But it also not survived from a fire disaster. It is hard to list clear how many times rebuilding it had experienced.

Location: inside Taihuai Town, Mt, Wutai, Shanxi Province

♦ The most famous Manjusri Statue in the Temple
There is a famous Manjusri Statues inside the temple. The statue is that Manjusri riding sua new ni (a son of dragon, with lion’s appearance). With a height of 9.87 meter, it is the highest colored Manjusri Statue in all the temples in Mt. Wutai. The sua new ni with a height of 3.95 meters. The lively statue is a posture of walking. And the Manjusri in this statue brings people a feel of calmness.

♦ History of Shuxiang Temple
In Ming Dynasty 1626, a living room was built behind the temple in a cool area. Later, this room was picked out by the San Princess in Qing Dynasty. She titled it into “Shanjing Room” which was used for self-cultivation. The princess was the younger sister of Shunzhi Emperor ( 1638 - 1661).

It was said that Qing Dynasty cabinet aimed to union Han minority high-ranking official, they decided let San Princess married with Wu Yinglong (the son of Wu Sangui). Later, Wu Sangui betrayed Qing Dynasty Emperor. Kangxi Emperor (son of Shunzhi Emperor) gave order to execute Wu Yinglong and his son Wu Shilin. And Wu’s wife San Princess could not re-marry with any other. So the princess went to Shuxiang Temple in Wutai Mountain for her rest life.

During that moment, a young monk was discussing Buddhism scripts with San Princess in Shanjing Room. This situation caused an affair and spread in the locals. Kangxi Emperor heard about this matter and decided to fire the Shuxiang Temple for protecting imperial fame. The fire was lasting 3 days. All the things went into the ruins excepted the Shanjing Room. From this situation, Kangxi Emperor believed that it was a tips from Manjusri to tell him there was no affair between San Princess and the young monk. So he gave order to rebuild the Shuxiang Temple. After the rebuilding, some suggested to titled into "Qingbai (means innocency) Temple”. But Mt. Wutai was the ashram of Manjusri, so the temple kept the original name “Shuxiang”.

♦ Spring in Shuxiang Temple
In the front of the temple, there is a clean spring which could not frozen in winter and cool in summer. If you drink the water of it, you will feel wonderful. According to the record, this spring is called “Prajna spring”.

The spring named “prajna” means “improve intelligence” in the Buddhism script. It is said that people who always drink this spring can be more intelligence. In the history, the water from prajna spring was usually used as tributes. When Kangxi Emperor stayed in Mt. Wutai. He stayed in Manjusri Temple. He only drank water from the prajna spring.

At present, many people who come to Mt. Wutai will bring a bottle of the water from prajna river back to home and send to friends as a best wish for them.