Shanghai Wong Tai Sin Temple: Taoist imprints in the long river of history
In the historical depths of this bustling city of Shanghai, there used to be a Taoist temple that carried unique beliefs and cultural memories – the Wong Tai Sin Temple. Its story, like a tumultuous historical book, records the changes of time and the devotion of its followers.
1、 Origin: The spiritual sustenance of people traveling in Shanghai and Guangdong
In the early years of the Republic of China, Guangdong residents who had left their hometowns and traveled to Shanghai raised funds to build the Wong Tai Sin Temple in search of spiritual comfort. At that time, the belief in Wong Tai Sin had a deep foundation in the Guangdong region. Legend had it that Wong Tai Sin, originally named Huang Chuping, had attained enlightenment by practicing at Mount Jinhua, where he could punish evil, eliminate pests, cure diseases, and save lives. His image of “responding to every request” was deeply ingrained in people’s hearts.
These people who are far away from their homeland brought their reverence for their hometown gods to Shanghai, and erected a Taoist temple on the banks of the Qiujiang Bridge in Hongkou, mainly worshiping Wong Tai Sin from Luofu Mountain in Guangdong, hoping to use the power of the gods to bless a smooth life in Shanghai. The first abbot, Daoist He Songji, came from the former Baiyun Temple in Shanghai. As a Guangdong based Quanzhen Taoist, he shouldered the responsibility of inheriting and promoting the faith of Wong Tai Sin, allowing the temple to take root in Shanghai and become a center for the spiritual gathering of Guangdong residents.
2、 Turnaround: Persistence in Change
In 1930, due to development needs, Wong Tai Sin Temple found a new location and relocated to Qipu Road in the city. The new environment has brought new opportunities for Taoist temples, with more frequent interactions among believers and a growing number of incense offerings.
However, the wave of urban development never stopped. In 1944, the abbot Taoist Huang Guanyi once again raised funds to build the Taoist temple and located it on the side of Qiujiang Bridge on Qiujiang Road (No. 543 Qiujiang Road). The newly built Taoist temple has an exquisite layout, with solemn and dignified halls, and the statue of Wong Tai Sin has a kind and benevolent expression, attracting believers from all walks of life to come and pray and make wishes. In turbulent times, Taoist temples are like lighthouses of faith, providing spiritual shelter for people in difficult times. Even after relocation, the power of faith they carry remains undiminished.
3、 Silence: The End Under the Changes of the Times
Unfortunately, in the tide of history, Wong Tai Sin Temple has not been able to escape the impact of the times. During the Cultural Revolution, religious activities suffered heavy losses, and the Wong Tai Sin Temple was not spared and was forced to stop its activities. The once lively and smoking filled Taoist temple has become desolate and gradually forgotten, eventually disappearing into the dust of time. Its abandonment is not only the desolation of a building, but also signifies a temporary interruption of cultural heritage. Many related rituals, legends, and customs have also been rarely mentioned with the silence of Taoist temples.
Although the Wong Tai Sin Temple in Shanghai no longer exists, its former glory and unique significance are deeply imprinted in the development of Taoism in Shanghai. It witnesses the blending and coexistence of different regional cultures in Shanghai, and is an indispensable part of Shanghai’s diverse culture. This period of history is worth remembering and exploring by future generations. We look forward to the opportunity to recreate its appearance in the future and revitalize the cultural memory carried by Wong Tai Sin Temple.
