Zongsheng Temple Introduction
During the Qing Dynasty's Qianlong and Jiaqing periods, the Zeng clan, originally from Guangdong, China, immigrated to Taiwan. After several generations of hard work and diligence, the family business prospered. To express their gratitude to their ancestors and continue their legacy, the descendants of the Zeng clan constructed the Zong Sheng Temple in 1929. This temple honors Zeng Shen, a direct disciple of Confucius who was celebrated for his filial piety and was given the title of "Zong Sheng Gong" by successive emperors. The Zong Sheng Temple is an architectural blend of traditional Hakka courtyard style and exquisite Baroque elements, making it one of the largest and most ornate clan temples in Taiwan. Alongside Beipu Tian Shui Tang in northern Taiwan, it is considered one of the most significant clan temples in the north and south of Taiwan. Spanning an area of 1,100 ping, the Zong Sheng Temple adopts a two-hall and two-cross courtyard layout, decorated with various art forms such as pebble washing, clay sculpting, wood carving, painting, calligraphy, and Jiao Zhi Tao cut-and-paste ceramics applied to the entrance, roof, beams, columns, and gables. For instance, the entrance gate in the square features animal sculptures that lend it an imposing grandeur. Elements such as the swallow-tailed roof, water-shaped horsebacks, fire-shaped horsebacks, and Jiao Zhi Tao bird-steps are also notable. Particularly unique is the "bamboo leaf script" written with bamboo leaves on the surfaces of the pillars in the main hall, a rare form of calligraphic art. Entering the main hall, one finds the ancestral shrine in the center, with a ceremonial altar designed according to ancient customs, displaying the plaque "Tian Jing Di Yi," which elucidates Zengzi's philosophy of life. The side halls retain the ceremonial spaces from the Zeng clan's ancestor Zeng Yuzhen and the six main rooms of "Jiu Ling," "Xi Shan," "Nan Shan," "Duan Tang," "Huang Keng," and "Shen Po." This ancient building fully embodies the Confucian teachings, values, and social organization of the Hakka people, serving as a valuable cultural heritage.
