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1982 Budai statue at the Taichung Bao Jue Buddhist Temple. Paochueh Temple. photo by Werner Bayer on

Top 10 Outstanding Facts about PaoChueh Temple

PaoChueh temple is a Buddhist temple formed in 1926, featuring a bell tower with a bronze clock & a giant Buddha statue.The temple venerates Gautama Buddha as the primary deity, and the seven-floor-tall golden statue of Maitreya which is the dominant landmark of the temple.

This Buddhist columbarium-and-temple complex has a few unusual monuments for example the giant golden laughing Buddha with oddly placed windows, and an old temple (c 1920s) enshrined inside a new one built for the purpose of preserving it.

Let’s take a look at some of the most outstanding facts about it;

1. The temple has a graveyard which contains bones of Japanese soldiers

The PaoChueh temple has a grave yard. The small graveyard which is near the main entrance has a Shinto shrine containing the bones of Japanese who died in Taiwan during WWII.The grave yard and shrine was put up to pay respect to the fallen soldiers. 

During the World War II, many Japanese soldiers were killed in Taiwan, but their remains were not claimed. Master Zongxin proposed to consolidate these war dead into the columbaria of Paochueh Temple and to pay tributes to these fallen soldiers every December.

Japanese diplomats come to the temple to pay their respects every year. Behind it, a pagoda commemorates 36,000 Japanese soldiers of Taiwanese descent.This makes the temple a significant place to be and this tradition has been existence for years. 

2. The temple has a Golden statue which represents Maitreya

The temple has a Golden statue which represents Maitreya. Maitreya is the successor to the present Buddha, Gautama Buddha, and often carries a stick with a bundle tied to the end of it or has a sack thrown over one shoulder.

His depiction as a stout, smiling or laughing bald man in robes with a largely exposed pot belly stomach gives him another name Laughing Buddha, which symbolizes happiness and good luck. This Buddha has been of significance for centuries for the Japanese and Taiwanese people. 

3. The Paochueh Temple has a classic Japanese-style drum tower

The original main hall of the temple was a classic Japanese-style drum tower. To protect it, the original hall is now surrounded with concrete walls.

The most renowned parts of the temple include Yu-ai (Kindness) Bell Tower, Chi-bao (Seven Treasure) Tower and the seven-story-tall Maitreya Statue which is the most noticeable landmark 

In front of the Statue sits numerous statues of the happy buddha under cherry blossom trees that will come into full bloom at the arrival of spring. Yu-ai Bell Tower holds a 600-kilogram bell which is a gift of the Japanese.

5. Paochueh Temple is located on Jianxing Road in Beitun district

Paochueh Temple is located on Jianxing Road in Beitun district.Its address is No.140, Jianxing Road, North District, Taichung City Taiwán, R.O.C. There is a bus stop called Pao Chueh temple on Sanmin Road, but it is more convenient to use Xin Min high school bus stop.

The temple is also easily accessible and one can get there easily through different transportation means. It is also located along the road hence making it one of the best located temples in Taichung. 

6. There are several hotels and restaurants near Paochueh Temple

There are several hotels and restaurants near Paochueh Temple. Some of this hotels include; 53 HOTEL,Holiday Inn Express Taichung Park,TWINSTAR HOTEL,Moving Star Hotel,CityInn Hotel Plus Taichung Station Branch. 

The PaoChueh Temple also has several restaurants which are near it including Miyahara, Ashuishizhujiaodaiwangzhu,Meat & Egg Toast. This and many more others are some of the best in Taichung with some of the best reservations and best foods. 

7. The easy to get to PaoChueh temple 

The PaoChueh temple is one of the most easily accessible temples in Taichung. One can travel to the temple by bus through the Xin Min Highschool bus station. One can see a huge Maitreya Bodhisattva by walking about 15 minutes from Taichung station which very eye-catching.

On a straight line from Taichung station to here there is a luxurious themed restaurant Banana paradise and the vast Taichung park built in the Japanese colonialRoad station. One can also visit the Pao Chueh temple on Sanmin Road which is also one of the easiest routes to follow. 

8. It has magnificent architecture and designs 

The PaoChueh temple has some of the most magnificent architecture and designs beautifully visualizes the beauty and ideals of Lord Buddha. It even has relics of Xuanzang, a Buddhist monk in the Tang dynasty, which makes it the most beautiful temple in the world. 

Every month, hundreds of people come here to pay their offerings and pray and seek some solace. The seven-floor tall golden statue of Maitreya remains its highlight throughout. The temples interior and exterior design makes it one of the most magnificent attractions in Taiwan. 

9. Paochueh Temple bridge between the Buddhist societies in Taiwan and Japan

Master Zongxin is much loved for his great contribution. As the fourth abbot of Paochueh Temple, he studied Buddhism in Japan for many years to be able to master the art of tolerance and building gray relationship with the locals. 

He has since built a great relationship with the local Buddhist society, and the Paochueh temple therefore becomes a bridge between the Buddhist societies in Taiwan and Japan. This in turn is turning the villagers be one of the most of the things about the PaoChueh temple.

10. The Paochueh temple free to enter

The temple is free to entre without any fees charged. It is also open from 9.00 am to 5pm every day and the most preferred time on is supposed to stay at the temple os 2hours . One can also get to the management through their telephone no. +886-4-22335179.

While there is nothing unique about the temple structure itself, it’s the giant five-story tall statue of the smiling Buddha that makes it worth a stop.There is a garden square in front of the Big Buddha. The square used to display an ancient coal locomotive, which has now been moved to Taichung Folk Park.

In addition to the grand scenery of the courtyard, PaoChueh Temple also often holds scripture lectures, fasting conferences, and publishes monthly magazines. It is a monastery with a strong cultural and educational style.