Kunzi Temple Introduction
Kuncitang was originally the site of a shrine located in the Luye immigrant village during the Japanese colonial period. After the restoration of Taiwan, the Japanese returned the deities worshiped at the shrine to Japan, and the local residents began to worship the Earth God at the original site of the shrine. In 1953 (the 42nd year of the Republic of China), local believers invited Mazu to worship there, and in 1958 (the 47th year of the Republic of China), they also invited the flag of the Yaochi Jinmu for worship. Kuncitang is a public temple that primarily enshrines Yaochi Jinmu, along with other deities including Shakyamuni Buddha, Guanyin Bodhisattva, the Heavenly Mother, Linshui Furen, Zhongtang Yuanshuai, and the Xuantian Shangdi brought by residents from Changhua's Houliao. The most distinctive features of Kuncitang are the old Jiadong tree and the bitter neem tree in front of the temple, both over 80 years old. Beside the trees stands Kuncitang, which was originally a Japanese shrine, serving as a gathering place for the villagers of Longtian to chat. In 1960 (the 49th year of the Republic of China), when Kuncitang was first established, the then-novice Zhengyan Master practiced here under his master and often discussed Buddhist teachings with villagers under these trees; thus, the Ciji Foundation named this tree the "Ciji Tree." Longtian Village boasts beautiful scenery and a countryside charm. Riding a bicycle along the straight and green tunnel of Guangrong Road, one can embark on an ecological journey, experiencing the touching moments that combine life and nature.
