Nanjing Temple, Lugang Introduction
Nanjing Temple, according to the "Changhua County Annals," was established in the 37th year of the Qianlong era (1772 AD) by merchants from Nanjing, Fujian. It is located next to the Wanggong Temple, and its main deity is Guan Sheng Di Jun (Lord Guan). The Nanjing merchants invited the ancestral temple deity, Guan Sheng Di Jun, to Taiwan, initially founding the temple near the harbor of Lukang (the current temple site, which was then a docking area for boats). It originally served as a religious center dedicated to the beliefs of immigrants from Zhangzhou. As the Zhangzhou people moved inland for development, it has now become a shared temple for all ethnic groups, known as the Guandi Temple. The Nanjing Temple primarily worships Guan Sheng Di Jun (reverently referred to as Fumo Dadi). The temple also honors Guan Ping, the Prince, and Zhou Cang, the General, as the protective deities. Furthermore, it venerates Wen Kui Xing Jun, General Xie Fu, Ma Ye Gong, the Red Hare that can run a thousand miles, and the legendary Qinglong Yanyue Dao (the crescent moon saber) weighing 81 jin, along with many military officials. Guan Sheng Di Jun is also known by the name Yu, courtesy name Yun Chang, and original name Chang Sheng, hailing from Hedong, Jieliang Prefecture during the Three Kingdoms period. His deeds of loyalty, filial piety, integrity, and righteousness, along with Liu Bei and Zhang Fei's oath of brotherhood in the Peach Garden, are revered for generations. He is one of the five Wenchang deities and is honored in Confucianism as Wenheng Shengdi. Historical records state: "A person from Shandong wrote the Spring and Autumn Annals (referring to Confucius); a person from Shanxi read the Spring and Autumn Annals (referring to Guan Di Sheng Jun)." Hence, he is often referred to as Confucius of Guan and Shanxi. Revered as a semi-saint, he is respected for his martial prowess, high moral integrity, and well-rounded abilities, making him a patron deity for scholars and a protector for students.
