During the reign of Emperor Zhenzong (998–1022), the emperor renamed it "Longyou Temple" (龙游寺; Long means the emperor and You means visit) after he dreamt he visited the temple.
Then it was largely extended by abbot Foyin in the Yuanfeng period (1078–1085).
Since Emperor Huizong (1101–1125) was a staunch Taoist, he ordered to convert many Buddhist temples into Taoist temples, the Temple became a Taoist temple and renamed "Shenxiao Yuqing Wanshou Palace" (神霄玉清万寿宫). After the fall of the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127), it restored the name of "Longyou Temple".[1][2]
Foyin (佛印), an accomplished monk and friend of Su Shi, settled at Jinshan Temple.[2]
Yuan dynasty
The temple changed the name into "Jinshan Temple" (金山寺) in the Yuan dynasty.[1]
Qing dynasty
In 1684, Kangxi Emperor made an inspection trip in the south, when he visited Jinshan Temple, he inscribed the plaque with the Chinese characters "Jiangtian Chan Temple" (江天禅寺).[1]
In the 18th century, French geographer Georges-Louis Le Rouge visited the temple and painted some prints in Chinese Ancient Gardens.
In 1966, Mao Zedong launched the ten-year devastating Cultural Revolution and the red guards attacked and vandalised the temple. Many of the temple's stupas were destroyed and the resident monks were forced to disrobe. Some of the monks who refused to disrobe were forced to work in the farm as labourers for nearly twenty years.
The Mahavira Hall is rebuilt in 1989 with double-eaves gable and hip roof. The hall enshrining the statues of Three Life Buddha, namely Sakyamuni, Amitabha and Bhaisajyaguru. At the back the hall enshrines the statue of Guanyin with Shancai standing on the left and Longnü on the right. The statues of Eighteen Arhats stand on both sides of the hall. In the center of the eaves of the hall is a plaque, on which there are the words "Mahavira Hall" written by former Venerable Master of the Buddhist Association of ChinaZhao Puchu.[3]
The Buddhist Texts Library was burned down in 1948. The present version was completed in 1984 with gable and hip roof. The 21-metre (69 ft) high hall has four stories and occupies an area of 1,200-square-metre (13,000 sq ft).[3]
Zhang Yuhuan (2012). "A Glance of the River and Heaven: Jinshan Temple in Zhenjiang" 《江天一览：镇江金山寺》. 《图解中国著名佛教寺院》 [Illustration of Famous Buddhist Temples in China] (in Chinese). Beijing: Contemporary China Publishing House. ISBN978-7-5154-0135-5.
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