Putuoshan White Temple (普陀山白衣道場)

Pǔtuóshān White Temple (普陀山白衣道場) is one of the more unusual temples I have visited in Taiwan. Named after Putuoshan, one of the holy mountains of Chinese Buddhism, and dedicated to the worship of Guanyin (觀音), Goddess of Mercy, it appears to have been built in 2004. Apart from these basic details it seems like very little is known about this mysterious temple. Pulling into the parking lot at the white temple. Most temples in Taiwan are open to the public and welcome visitors. Not this one! Very little information apart from a phone number can be found online—and netizens regularly express befuddlement that such a beautiful and eye-catching temple would maintain such secrecy. Why attract all that attention if you aren’t going to be at all inviting? A closer look at the side of the temple from below. Looking north from the ledge in front of the main hall. I was out on a mission to the badlands of southern Taiwan when I noticed the gleaming white temple on the mountainside while rounding…