Yuan Heng Temple, sited on the hillside of Shoushan, is a prestigious temple in the Kaohsiung area. According to historical records, Yuan Heng Temple, originally named Yuan Hing Temple, was built with the funds raised by Master Jing Yuan in 1743, the 8th year of reign of Emperor Qianlong. From the very beginning of establishment till now, Yuan Heng Temple transformed into what we can see nowadays after the change of the name of the temple, location move, and architecture expansion. Until now, Yuan Heng Temple has a more than two hundred-year history through Qing Dynasty, Japanese colonial rule, and World War II. During the period, it experienced the change of religion and folk beliefs: from the original beliefs of giam ah to the influence of Vegetarian Religion. After the end of World War II, as there was a huge difference in Cross-strait relations, Buddhist monks from Mainland China imported Chinese Buddhism into Taiwan, which led to another change in religion and beliefs at Yuan Heng Temple. Also, past management committees of Yuan Heng Temple, which lots of members of the gentry in the Kaohsiung area were at, built deep government-business relations for Yuan Heng Temple and offered powerful backup for later architecture expansion. Monk Pu Miao is the longest-reigning abbot (1964~2004) and is the one who influenced Yuan Heng Temple most and deepest so far. Today, the architectural shapes and forms of the temple, spread of Buddhism education, and religious ceremonies and activities were almost finished or began during Monk Pu Maio’s tenure as abbot. Of course, there were not a few disputes over worries about architecture building, damage to environmental protection and landscape, secularization of religious activities, donation from believers, and so on. All of them are quite controversial and unavoidable issues to Yuan Heng Temple.
