Furen Temple Introduction
At the end of Heping Old Street stands a century-old temple that adds a solemn atmosphere to the bustling commercial street. Furen Temple, known locally as the main temple, was built in the 18th year of Jiaqing (1813). The immigrants from Zhangzhou established the temple to avoid the inconvenience of crossing the Dazhukeng River to Pu-Ding for the worship of Kaizhang Shengwang during festivals. Funded by Li Bing-sheng (father of Li Teng-fang), Lü Fan-diao, Lin Ben-yuan, and others, Furen Temple is now not only a vital center of Zhangzhou belief in Daxi but also incorporates Hakka, Chaozhou, and Quanzhou local deities, which is quite rare. During the Japanese occupation, Furen Temple established a civil guardianship bureau as a local resistance point, and during the colonial period, it served as a garrison hospital. After undergoing two reconstructions, it is now one of the largest temples in Daxi. Covering an area of over 300 ping, it is a three-hall structure with a false four-sided eaves design on the rooftops, and both the main hall and wing rooms feature two dragon columns. The height of the main hall is comparable to that of the two-story back hall, symbolizing that there is no distinction in status between the deities worshiped. The temple courtyard, divided by Heping Old Street, once commonly saw children gathering to play top spinning and locals casually chatting. Today, it serves as a parking lot and a community activity space, retaining its warmth over the century. If you want to experience local temple activities, the "Sacred Pig Competition" on February 11 of the lunar calendar is definitely not to be missed. To celebrate the birthday of Kaizhang Shengwang, the ten major surnames take turns offering a sacred pig every ten years, which each family considers a significant event. The sacred pig is intricately painted by professional masters and offered at Furen Temple's plaza. Devotees parade through the streets, accompanied by traditional music performed by Beiguan musicians and folk opera performances, creating a lively scene. With a history of over a century, the "Sacred Pig Competition" has evolved over time; although it has shifted to "creative sacred pigs" made of ingredients like dough turtles, noodles, and oranges, it remains an exciting cultural event.
