Baojue Temple is a Buddhist temple in Taichung's North District, founded in 1928 by Chan master Higashiumi Gijo and known for its 30-metre gold Maitreya Buddha statue. The statue itself was built between 1964 and December 1975, and the temple's Seven Treasures Pagoda holds the remains of Japanese people who died in Taiwan during the colonial era, giving the site a dual significance as both an active place of worship and a historical memorial.
Baojue Temple (also known as Paochueh Temple) was founded in 1928 by Chan master Higashiumi Gijo. The gold Maitreya Buddha statue on the grounds was built between 1964 and December 1975; the statue itself stands 88 Taiwanese feet tall (about 26.7 metres), or roughly 30 metres including its base. The adjacent Seven Treasures Pagoda holds the remains of Japanese people who died in Taiwan during the colonial period — memorial grounds were established in the 1950s in Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung after former governor-general Seiichi Hasegawa organised the collection of scattered Japanese graves, and a memorial service is still held here every 24–25 November by associations of Taiwanese-Japanese soldiers and their families.
Highlights of Baojue Temple
Baojue Temple was founded in 1927 and is one of the older Buddhist temples in Taichung's North District, with Maitreya Buddha as its principal deity. The large Maitreya statue inside the grounds stands about 30 metres tall with a striking gold exterior, and is an important religious landmark in Taichung. The temple architecture blends traditional Taiwanese temple style with Buddhist temple conventions; the interiors are elaborately decorated and the temple is well frequented, with worshippers crowding in during festival periods.
Beside the temple is a memorial mound for Japanese people who died in Taiwan during the colonial era, marked by surviving stone steles and commemorative structures that document a particular chapter of Taiwan's modern history. Baojue Temple thus functions as a layered site carrying religious, historical, and cultural memory, drawing both worshippers and visitors with an interest in Taiwanese history.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Hours
- Baojue Temple is open year-round with no admission fee. Check temple notices for opening hours; during lunar festivals hours may be extended.
- Taichung city buses serve stops near Jianxing Road in the North District; walk from there or drive and use nearby car parks.
Nearby Connections
- The North District area connects to Confucius Temple and Taichung Park for a half-day North District cultural itinerary.
- About a 10-minute drive from Taichung Railway Station — easy to combine with the Central District historic landmarks.
Sources: Baojue Temple information; Wikipedia entry on Baojue Temple (Taichung). Photos to be replaced with Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Baojue Temple built?
It was founded in 1928 by Chan master Higashiumi Gijo.
How tall is the Maitreya Buddha statue at Baojue Temple?
The statue itself is 88 Taiwanese feet (about 26.7 metres) tall, or roughly 30 metres including its base; it was built between 1964 and December 1975.
What is the Japanese memorial mound at Baojue Temple?
It is housed in the temple's Seven Treasures Pagoda and holds the remains of Japanese people who died in Taiwan during the colonial era, one of several such memorial sites set up in the 1950s.
Is there an admission fee at Baojue Temple?
No, Baojue Temple is open year-round with no admission fee; check temple notices for exact hours.
Sources
- 寶覺禪寺 - 維基百科 — 創建年份、彌勒佛像興建年代與高度、日本人遺骨史實