According to the records of Zhangzhou Prefecture and the imperial edict tablet existing in the temple, this courtyard was built in the second year of Chui Gong in the Tang Dynasty (i.e. 686 AD). The Shishi Zen Temple was built in the historical records of Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing, and the Republic of China.
Japanese pirates invaded the Fujian Sea during the Ming Dynasty. General Qi Jiguang led troops into Fujian to fight against the Japanese pirates. To this day, in the mountains behind Shishi Chanyuan, there are still remains of General Qi’s "Youcheng Ancient Village" and "Jianshan Ancient Village" where he fought against the Japanese. , and the manger used when troops were stationed in the stronghold. These historical relics all show the great achievements of that year.
The Shishi Zen Temple has experienced ups and downs, and was said to be in its heyday during the Ming Dynasty. There are hundreds of monks in the temple, but later it is said that there can only be 99 monks at most, and the number will not increase to 100. One of the reasons is that the original location of the ancient stone chamber Zen Temple has excellent feng shui, which is called "Golden Rooster Holding Eggs" - (oval light shape, metaphor (a monk), and there is a mountain in the shape of a snake opposite the temple, and there is a river between the temple and the mountains, so it is fine. Otherwise, the snake swallows the chicken eggs, which is extremely ominous. Later, a monk came to the temple. Feeling neglected, he secretly encouraged the villagers to build a bridge. on the river. As a result, the feng shui was broken, and the "Golden Rooster" was attacked by the "Snake" and found it difficult to protect hundreds of eggs. After that, the temple gradually declined.
At the beginning of the reform and opening up, someone stole the ancient stone lions from the Shishi Zen Temple. The tires of the car suddenly blew out inexplicably while driving, and the thief was frightened. The stone lion was thrown into a nearby sugar cane field and was recovered by local people. It is said that if someone wants to beg a child for the round stone in the mouth of the ancient stone lion, if he touches it a few times, his wish will come true. During the Cultural Revolution, there was a widespread rumor. It is said that there was a jade Guanyin in the Shishi Zen Temple, and a teacher took advantage of the catastrophe in the temple. He had a sudden idea, cut off the Buddha's head, and carried the Buddha's body home. He wanted to make a jade coffee table, which angered the good gods who protected the Dharma and gave it to him. As punishment, he died suddenly on the way to Songyu Pier in Haicang before boarding the ship.
After the religious policy was implemented in 1989, with the hard work of the lay people in Xiayang Village, the filth was cleared away, the golden body was rebuilt, and the temple began to regain its incense. The former cattle shed has suddenly become an ancient temple, with an endless stream of pilgrims. The then director of the District Party Committee Office, Layman Yang Bingkun, also compiled all the historical materials of Shishi Zen Monastery into a volume.
At the end of 1996, he was commissioned by the Municipal Buddhist Association and invited by local lay people. Master Zhongming and Master Langming came to this temple to live permanently. The two masters graduated from the Minnan Buddhist College and initiated the great ambition to revitalize the Shishi Zen Monastery. They focused internally on self-study, held various Dharma conferences, and externally promoted Dharma. They actively promoted exchanges with all walks of life and founded the Xiamen Shishi Chan Monastery Charity and Merit Association in early 2000. .
After the Caijianweishan Tunnel started in early 2001 was opened, a main road in front of the Chanyuan led directly to the Haicang Bridge, making transportation between Xiamen and Haicang more convenient.
The mountain behind the temple has been said to have eighteen scenic spots since ancient times, such as Alpine Tianhu, Sword Testing Stone, Immortal Foot Stone, Stone Drum, Stone Flag, Guanyin Cliff, Sankuiling Ancient Road and other natural landscapes and As a cultural heritage, many folk stories and myths and legends have been left behind, which make people feel the elegance of ancient times and feel the prosperous times of today.
In early 2000, he founded the Xiamen Shishi Chanyuan Charity Association. With the purpose of "imitating the compassion of Buddha and promoting the spirit of pharmacists" and the concept of "gratitude, purifying the heart, and cherishing blessings", the Merit Association has united a large number of young Buddhists and enthusiastic people to participate in charity activities, such as student aid, poverty relief, and environmental protection , medical aid, charity sales, cultural lectures, care for the elderly and children, and other activities have had a great impact both inside and outside the island, and are often reported on major TV stations and newspapers.