Zhenru Temple: A Millennium-Old Zen Oasis in the Bustling City

## Zhenru Temple: A Millennium-Old Zen Oasis in the Bustling City Passing through the lively streets of Tongchuan Road, a vermilion mountain gate suddenly comes into view—this is the ancient Zhenru Temple, originally built during the Jiading era of the Southern Song Dynasty. Standing before the gate, one can see the three gilded characters "Zhenru Temple" gleaming in the sunlight, while the honking of cars and the chime of wind bells on the eaves blend together in a unique harmony, painting a picture where modern urban life coexists with ancient Zen tranquility. Stepping through the temple gate, a 700-year-old ginkgo tree stands like a guardian deity by the liberation pond. This ancient tree, designated as Shanghai's "Tree King" with the official number 0001, carpets the front courtyard in a golden "ginkgo blanket" every late autumn. Koi fish swim leisurely in the pond, occasionally leaping out and splashing water, startling the white doves perched on stone lanterns into flight, their wings tracing graceful arcs against the blue sky. The most treasured part of Zhenru Temple is its Yuan Dynasty main hall—the oldest surviving wooden structure in Shanghai. The hall employs a rare "column-shifting" construction technique, creating an astonishingly spacious interior. Looking up, one can admire the exquisite painted caisson ceiling, which still retains its vibrant hues of cinnabar and azurite despite the passage of time. The hall enshrines a statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, whose benevolent face and gently lowered eyelids seem to gaze compassionately upon all beings. On the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, devotees gather here to offer incense, the rising smoke in the beams of light appearing as a direct pathway to the Buddhist realm. To the west of the temple stands the newly built Zhenru Pagoda, a landmark offering panoramic views of Putuo District. The pagoda blends traditional pavilion-style architecture with modern glass curtain walls. At night, its lights gradually illuminate, outlining an elegant classical silhouette against the urban skyline, becoming a distinctive feature of western Shanghai. The most delightful surprise is the temple's vegetarian restaurant. Signature dishes like mushroom noodles and vegetarian duck, made with seasonal vegetables and the temple's secret recipes, are so flavorful and refreshing that they rival meat dishes. Dining under the corridor, with occasional leaves drifting into one's bowl, adds to the Zen-like atmosphere of "tea and meditation as one." As I prepared to leave, the evening bell began to toll. The resonant sound echoed through the twilight, mingling strangely with the distant rumble of the subway. In that moment, I suddenly understood the most moving aspect of Zhenru Temple: its ability to preserve the solemnity of a thousand-year-old sanctuary while gently embracing the pulse of modern city life. Here, every busy urban dweller can find a moment of peace, much like the ancient ginkgo tree that, despite the trials of time, remains lush and serene at heart.