唐朝盛世,廟(miao)宇擴大(da)(da),后因(yin)火(huo)災(zai)而(er)毀。明朝時,修(xiu)一祖(zu)師正(zheng)殿,供祖(zu)師菩薩。至清咸豐年(nian)(nian)間,募捐(juan)擴修(xiu)道(dao)觀(guan)大(da)(da)成規(gui)(gui)模,并(bing)正(zheng)式命名(ming)為(wei)“真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)觀(guan)”。隨著歷史的(de)變遷,真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)觀(guan)僅存真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)殿,但已破舊。真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)觀(guan)的(de)香(xiang)火(huo)非常旺(wang)盛,每年(nian)(nian)的(de)農歷春(chun)節、三月(yue)二十(shi)八、四(si)月(yue)初四(si)、六(liu)月(yue)二十(shi)四(si)等重(zhong)大(da)(da)香(xiang)訊期間,更是人山(shan)人海,熱鬧非凡。為(wei)了滿足(zu)信教(jiao)群眾(zhong)過宗(zong)教(jiao)生(sheng)活的(de)需要,有序地規(gui)(gui)范宗(zong)教(jiao)活動。2008年(nian)(nian),經(jing)蘇州市道(dao)教(jiao)協會申請,并(bing)報省(sheng)宗(zong)教(jiao)局批準,真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)觀(guan)作為(wei)寺觀(guan)教(jiao)堂恢復(fu)重(zhong)建。2009年(nian)(nian)8月(yue)8日,真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)觀(guan)舉(ju)行(xing)了奠基儀式。
經過兩年的建設,真武觀已初(chu)具規(gui)模。
2011年(nian) 8月(yue)20日上午,常熟真武觀(guan)隆重舉行落成典(dian)禮暨(ji)神像(xiang)開(kai)光慶(qing)典(dian)。國家(jia)宗(zong)(zong)教(jiao)局(ju)(ju)(ju)副(fu)(fu)(fu)局(ju)(ju)(ju)長(chang)(chang)(chang)蔣堅永、一司司長(chang)(chang)(chang)徐遠杰,中央統(tong)戰(zhan)(zhan)部(bu)(bu)二局(ju)(ju)(ju)宗(zong)(zong)教(jiao)二處(chu)處(chu)長(chang)(chang)(chang)石云,江蘇(su)省(sheng)(sheng)委統(tong)戰(zhan)(zhan)部(bu)(bu)副(fu)(fu)(fu)部(bu)(bu)長(chang)(chang)(chang)、省(sheng)(sheng)宗(zong)(zong)教(jiao)局(ju)(ju)(ju)局(ju)(ju)(ju)長(chang)(chang)(chang)莫宗(zong)(zong)通(tong),省(sheng)(sheng)委統(tong)戰(zhan)(zhan)部(bu)(bu)副(fu)(fu)(fu)巡(xun)視員陶勇、省(sheng)(sheng)宗(zong)(zong)教(jiao)局(ju)(ju)(ju)副(fu)(fu)(fu)局(ju)(ju)(ju)長(chang)(chang)(chang)沈祖榮,蘇(su)州(zhou)市(shi)(shi)委常委、統(tong)戰(zhan)(zhan)部(bu)(bu)長(chang)(chang)(chang)周向群,蘇(su)州(zhou)市(shi)(shi)政(zheng)府副(fu)(fu)(fu)市(shi)(shi)長(chang)(chang)(chang)黃欽,蘇(su)州(zhou)市(shi)(shi)民(min)宗(zong)(zong)局(ju)(ju)(ju)局(ju)(ju)(ju)長(chang)(chang)(chang)金(jin)建立、副(fu)(fu)(fu)局(ju)(ju)(ju)長(chang)(chang)(chang)季云鋼(gang),常熟市(shi)(shi)政(zheng)協(xie)(xie)主席張(zhang)永泉、人(ren)(ren)大副(fu)(fu)(fu)主任聞永昌(chang)、副(fu)(fu)(fu)市(shi)(shi)長(chang)(chang)(chang)王(wang)建國、市(shi)(shi)委統(tong)戰(zhan)(zhan)部(bu)(bu)部(bu)(bu)長(chang)(chang)(chang)王(wang)永明、民(min)宗(zong)(zong)局(ju)(ju)(ju)局(ju)(ju)(ju)長(chang)(chang)(chang)曹國良(liang)等領導;中國道(dao)教(jiao)協(xie)(xie)會副(fu)(fu)(fu)會長(chang)(chang)(chang)張(zhang)繼禹、丁常云、唐誠青(qing)、賴保榮、林舟(zhou)、張(zhang)鳳林、黃至杰、李(li)光富,秘(mi)書長(chang)(chang)(chang)王(wang)哲一,來(lai)(lai)自(zi)10個省(sheng)(sheng)、自(zi)治區、真轄市(shi)(shi)道(dao)教(jiao)協(xie)(xie)會和(he)(he)道(dao)教(jiao)名山宮觀(guan)的負責(ze)人(ren)(ren),以及來(lai)(lai)自(zi)日本、港(gang)澳臺等國家(jia)和(he)(he)地區同(tong)道(dao)、各界人(ren)(ren)士等應敫(jiao)出(chu)席慶(qing)典(dian)。
慶典(dian)由蘇州市(shi)(shi)道(dao)(dao)協副(fu)會(hui)長(chang)、常(chang)(chang)(chang)熟(shu)真(zhen)武觀(guan)(guan)管委會(hui)主(zhu)任熊建(jian)衛主(zhu)持(chi)。張鳳林、黃欽(qin)、王建(jian)國、曹國良(liang)等在典(dian)禮儀(yi)式(shi)上致辭,分別代(dai)表中道(dao)(dao)協、常(chang)(chang)(chang)熟(shu)市(shi)(shi)民宗(zong)局和蘇州市(shi)(shi)、常(chang)(chang)(chang)熟(shu)市(shi)(shi)對真(zhen)武觀(guan)(guan)的(de)落成表示熱烈的(de)祝賀!丁常(chang)(chang)(chang)云道(dao)(dao)長(chang)為江蘇隆力奇(qi)生物(wu)科股份有(you)限公司董事長(chang)徐(xu)(xu)之(zhi)偉先生頒發功德證書和紀念品。蔣堅永、張繼禹(yu)、莫(mo)宗(zong)通(tong)、周向群、楊世華、黃欽(qin)、張永泉(quan)(quan)、陶勇、金建(jian)立、石(shi)云、王建(jian)國、徐(xu)(xu)之(zhi)偉周向群、張永泉(quan)(quan)為真(zhen)武觀(guan)(guan)揭(jie)牌,12位(wei)道(dao)(dao)長(chang)為神像開(kai)光。
恢(hui)(hui)復移地重(zhong)建(jian)的真(zhen)武觀,紫墻黛瓦的殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)宇錯落有(you)致,更(geng)顯(xian)群樓仙閣勝境。建(jian)筑(zhu)群占(zhan)地50畝,建(jian)筑(zhu)面積6500平方米,分為(wei)東(dong)中西三路。在布局(ju)上,各建(jian)筑(zhu)物均坐北朝南縱(zong)向(xiang)排(pai)(pai)列。中軸線(中路)上,依次排(pai)(pai)列牌樓、靈官殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)、真(zhen)武殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)和(he)玉(yu)皇(huang)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)。東(dong)路偏殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian),依次排(pai)(pai)列觀音殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)、元辰殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)。西路偏殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian),依次排(pai)(pai)列媽祖殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian),藥王殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian),在玉(yu)皇(huang)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)東(dong)西兩側偏殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)分別為(wei)財神殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)、文昌殿(dian)(dian)(dian)(dian)。同時,觀內(nei)還有(you)辦公樓和(he)道眾生活區。整座宮(gong)觀,四周(zhou)走廊圍合(he)成一座規模恢(hui)(hui)宏的建(jian)筑(zhu)群。
寬敞(chang)的廣場上,聳立著一座宏偉的標(biao)志性牌樓(lou),為六柱三(san)門(men)。牌樓(lou)正(zheng)(zheng)(zheng)面正(zheng)(zheng)(zheng)中(zhong)額(e)“琴川清(qing)都”,東西兩(liang)(liang)邊(bian)額(e)“道冠古今”、“德(de)參(can)天地”,正(zheng)(zheng)(zheng)中(zhong)額(e)兩(liang)(liang)邊(bian)聯為:天近(jin)元門(men)上極斗牛之氣;云開(kai)黃道永依日(ri)月之光。背面正(zheng)(zheng)(zheng)中(zhong)額(e)“瑞暎八方”,東西兩(liang)(liang)邊(bian)額(e)“金聲玉振(zhen)”、“煙(yan)雨江南(nan)”,正(zheng)(zheng)(zheng)中(zhong)額(e)兩(liang)(liang)邊(bian)聯為:移來福地千家戶,籍得(de)武當一統(tong)天。
牌樓的(de)(de)西(xi)邊(bian)有五塊景(jing)觀(guan)墻,分(fen)(fen)別鐫刻有福、祿(lu)、壽和太極(ji)、八卦圖(tu)的(de)(de)磚(zhuan)雕。牌樓北(bei)面與山(shan)(shan)門(men)殿之(zhi)間的(de)(de)地上(shang)(shang)有一(yi)幅八卦圖(tu)。山(shan)(shan)門(men)殿(靈官殿),屋檐為歇山(shan)(shan)式,正脊系龍(long)吻脊,中間塑團(tuan)龍(long)造型。兩側戧脊上(shang)(shang),塑有騎馬(ma)武(wu)士。山(shan)(shan)花處左右對稱,塑道(dao)(dao)教八仙人物圖(tu)。殿前擺放一(yi)對威(wei)武(wu)的(de)(de)石獅(shi)。山(shan)(shan)門(men)最上(shang)(shang)方(fang)懸掛(gua)由(you)中國道(dao)(dao)協(xie)會(hui)會(hui)長(chang)(chang)任法(fa)(fa)融題寫的(de)(de)“真武(wu)觀(guan)”匾(bian),山(shan)(shan)門(men)上(shang)(shang)方(fang)東(dong)懸掛(gua)匾(bian)“道(dao)(dao)本通真”,由(you)中國道(dao)(dao)教協(xie)會(hui)副會(hui)長(chang)(chang)張(zhang)繼禹題寫,山(shan)(shan)門(men)上(shang)(shang)方(fang)西(xi)懸掛(gua)匾(bian)為“玄(xuan)(xuan)天著德”。山(shan)(shan)門(men)東(dong)西(xi)兩邊(bian)拱(gong)門(men)上(shang)(shang)的(de)(de)額分(fen)(fen)別是“環印(yin)法(fa)(fa)天”、“令寶尊元”。山(shan)(shan)門(men)兩邊(bian)聯(lian)由(you)常熟書(shu)法(fa)(fa)家言恭達書(shu):非玄(xuan)(xuan)武(wu)不足當(dang)也,捊眾星實環拱(gong)之(zhi)。
山門(men)面闊三間(jian),占地100平方米。入內(nei),殿中供奉(feng)一尊(zun)威風凜凜的(de)(de)靈(ling)官青(qing)銅神像,重約1600斤(jin) 。靈(ling)官又(you)名王靈(ling)官,道(dao)教(jiao)一般(ban)認為是(shi)(shi)宋徽(hui)宗時的(de)(de)王善,但也有說是(shi)(shi)唐太(tai)宗時的(de)(de)王惡(e)。據《列仙全傳》卷八記載:王靈(ling)官本名王善,是(shi)(shi)湘陰城(cheng)隍廟內(nei)的(de)(de)城(cheng)隍,后來成為道(dao)教(jiao)護(hu)法神。他的(de)(de)地位,與佛寺(si)山門(men)殿內(nei)的(de)(de)韋陀相同。
出山門殿(dian)(dian),便是真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)殿(dian)(dian)。殿(dian)(dian)前東、西建有(you)功德(de)亭、仙(xian)井亭。殿(dian)(dian)門上(shang)檐懸(xuan)掛(gua)“真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)殿(dian)(dian)”匾(bian)。下懸(xuan)三方橫匾(bian),中(zhong)間(jian)由中(zhong)國道(dao)教(jiao)協會(hui)(hui)(hui)副會(hui)(hui)(hui)長、武(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)當山道(dao)教(jiao)協會(hui)(hui)(hui)會(hui)(hui)(hui)長、武(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)當山住持(chi)李光富題寫的“帝(di)德(de)常高”匾(bian)。左側為“恩覃十部”,右(you)側為“神威普照(zhao)”匾(bian)。殿(dian)(dian)內(nei)廊(lang)柱(zhu)對聯由江蘇省道(dao)教(jiao)協會(hui)(hui)(hui)會(hui)(hui)(hui)長楊(yang)世華書:眾妙無(wu)門是謂玄(xuan)之主,群(qun)魔盡蕩乃謂武(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)之真(zhen)(zhen)。該殿(dian)(dian)面(mian)(mian)闊五(wu)間(jian),占(zhan)地300余平方米。殿(dian)(dian)正中(zhong)供奉真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)大(da)帝(di)像(xiang)。真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)大(da)帝(di),又(you)稱(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)玄(xuan)天上(shang)帝(di)、翊圣(sheng)保德(de)真(zhen)(zhen)君(jun)、佑圣(sheng)真(zhen)(zhen)君(jun)百天上(shang)帝(di),為道(dao)教(jiao)神仙(xian)中(zhong)赫赫有(you)名的玉(yu)京尊(zun)(zun)神。道(dao)經中(zhong)尊(zun)(zun)稱(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)他(ta)為“鎮天真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)靈應佑圣(sheng)帝(di)君(jun)”,簡稱(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)“真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)帝(di)君(jun)”,民間(jian)稱(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)蕩魔天尊(zun)(zun)、報恩祖師(shi)、被發祖師(shi)。明(ming)朝以后,在全國影響(xiang)極大(da),近代(dai)民間(jian)信仰尤為普遍。真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)大(da)帝(di)兩邊供奉周公(gong)、桃花女像(xiang). 真(zhen)(zhen)武(wu)(wu)(wu)(wu)大(da)帝(di)背面(mian)(mian)掛(gua)有(you)一(yi)幅“五(wu)龍捧圣(sheng)”圖。
真(zhen)武殿(dian)(dian)(dian)北面(mian)為(wei)(wei)(wei)玉(yu)(yu)(yu)皇(huang)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)。殿(dian)(dian)(dian)前設(she)置高出地面(mian)的露(lu)臺,四周圍以花崗巖(yan)石(shi)欄(lan)。正(zheng)中的寶鼎,鼎足而(er)立。露(lu)臺前有(you)暗(an)八(ba)仙和(he)白玉(yu)(yu)(yu)雙龍壁。真(zhen)武殿(dian)(dian)(dian)為(wei)(wei)(wei)觀(guan)內主殿(dian)(dian)(dian),規模恢宏。重(zhong)檐歇(xie)山式屋檐,正(zheng)脊塑團龍造型。戧脊塑武士(shi)、仙鶴(he)、靈獸等道(dao)教吉祥物。上(shang)檐懸(xuan)掛(gua)(gua)“玉(yu)(yu)(yu)皇(huang)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)“匾。下懸(xuan)三(san)方橫匾,中間為(wei)(wei)(wei)“金(jin)(jin)闕玉(yu)(yu)(yu)京”,由中國道(dao)教協會副會長張(zhang)鳳林題寫(xie);左(zuo)側為(wei)(wei)(wei)“道(dao)統諸天(tian)”,右側為(wei)(wei)(wei)“法周上(shang)界”匾。該殿(dian)(dian)(dian)面(mian)闊七(qi)間,占地500余平方米。大(da)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)一字(zi)排開,設(she)有(you)十(shi)八(ba)扇厚重(zhong)的落地長窗(chuang)。入內,但(dan)見紅柱(zhu)間懸(xuan)掛(gua)(gua)各(ge)色幡條,氣氛莊(zhuang)嚴。兩(liang)根圓柱(zhu)上(shang)懸(xuan)楹(ying)聯:足赤踏龜蛇成萬法總(zong)歸(gui)三(san)尺劍,散發沖斗牛五云展出七(qi)星旗。大(da)殿(dian)(dian)(dian)正(zheng)中塑一尊(zun)金(jin)(jin)碧輝煌的玉(yu)(yu)(yu)帝(di)(di)神像,題為(wei)(wei)(wei)“太上(shang)金(jin)(jin)闕至尊(zun)昊(hao)天(tian)玉(yu)(yu)(yu)皇(huang)上(shang)帝(di)(di)”。寶相(xiang)莊(zhuang)嚴,氣勢非凡。玉(yu)(yu)(yu)帝(di)(di)兩(liang)旁塑有(you)金(jin)(jin)童(tong)玉(yu)(yu)(yu)女(nv)神像。東西兩(liang)壁間,各(ge)塑六尊(zun)天(tian)將(jiang)守護。玉(yu)(yu)(yu)帝(di)(di)像背面(mian)塑三(san)官(guan)大(da)帝(di)(di)、太乙、雷祖像。
玉(yu)皇(huang)殿(dian)(dian)東為(wei)(wei)財(cai)(cai)神(shen)(shen)殿(dian)(dian),供奉(feng)比干、趙公明、關(guan)(guan)羽三尊財(cai)(cai)神(shen)(shen)像。財(cai)(cai)神(shen)(shen)為(wei)(wei)民間俗神(shen)(shen),人(ren)們(men)追求美滿富裕的(de)(de)生(sheng)(sheng)活,于是,供奉(feng)的(de)(de)財(cai)(cai)神(shen)(shen)便應(ying)運而(er)生(sheng)(sheng)。各(ge)路財(cai)(cai)神(shen)(shen)資質各(ge)異(yi):文(wen)(wen)財(cai)(cai)神(shen)(shen)有(you)比干和(he)范(fan)蠡,武(wu)財(cai)(cai)神(shen)(shen)有(you)趙公明和(he)關(guan)(guan)公。財(cai)(cai)神(shen)(shen)殿(dian)(dian)內(nei)供奉(feng)的(de)(de)財(cai)(cai)神(shen)(shen),以武(wu)財(cai)(cai)神(shen)(shen)趙公明為(wei)(wei)多。戴(dai)盔披甲,形象(xiang)威(wei)武(wu)。只有(you)“維(wei)德”才(cai)能“生(sheng)(sheng)財(cai)(cai)”,這(zhe)也是當今應(ying)該推崇的(de)(de)生(sheng)(sheng)財(cai)(cai)之道。玉(yu)皇(huang)殿(dian)(dian)東為(wei)(wei)文(wen)(wen)昌(chang)殿(dian)(dian)。殿(dian)(dian)內(nei)供奉(feng)一大三小共三尊神(shen)(shen)像。中間的(de)(de)主(zhu)神(shen)(shen)為(wei)(wei)魁星文(wen)(wen)昌(chang)帝君(jun)。由(you)于魁星主(zhu)文(wen)(wen)運,故備受讀(du)書人(ren)頂禮(li)膜拜,希冀沾上文(wen)(wen)運科舉考試中魁。因此,和(he)土地(di)廟、關(guan)(guan)帝廟一樣,文(wen)(wen)昌(chang)殿(dian)(dian)和(he)文(wen)(wen)昌(chang)閣(ge)也遍布全國各(ge)地(di)。
真(zhen)武觀(guan)內(nei),道教文化氛圍濃厚。東西兩(liang)邊環(huan)廊內(nei)掛有(you)真(zhen)武靈驗圖,建有(you)文化碑廊,刻有(you)老子像碑、顏真(zhen)卿書道德經碑等。觀(guan)內(nei)還有(you)仙井亭等景點。
真武(wu)觀,現有(you)道(dao)士9人。道(dao)觀在宮(gong)觀建設的同(tong)時(shi)努力提高宮(gong)觀管(guan)理水平,按照創建“和(he)諧寺觀教堂”的標準,建立了《學習制(zhi)度(du)》、《消防(fang)衛生制(zhi)度(du)》、《教職員(yuan)崗位(wei)制(zhi)度(du)》、《清園制(zhi)度(du)》等一系(xi)列管(guan)理制(zhi)度(du)。
真武(wu)觀,按(an)道(dao)教宮觀規制以自然原始(shi)的生態風水(shui)布局,殿(dian)堂雄偉(wei)、環廊(lang)精雕、環境幽雅(ya)、神(shen)像莊嚴,達到了精、巧、秀、神(shen),是常熟(shu)道(dao)教星空上(shang)冉(ran)冉(ran)升起的一顆新星,它(ta)必將(jiang)成為與蘇州玄妙(miao)觀、蘇州城(cheng)隍廟、蘇州工業園區玉皇(huang)宮、吳中區上(shang)真觀齊名的蘇州著名宮觀。