Qinglian Temple Introduction
Qinglian Temple is the center of faith in Ruìsuì. In response to the needs of local believers, today's Qinglian Temple not only worships the main deity, Shakyamuni Buddha, but also venerates Taoist deities such as Guandi, Mazu, Tudi Gong, and Zhuseng Niangniang, providing a place for local devotees to pray and seek blessings, thus accommodating the local folk beliefs. Therefore, Qinglian Temple has developed into a unique form that integrates Buddhism and Taoism among the many temples in Taiwan. This century-old temple also carries its own legendary tales. Inside the temple, there is a pair of bamboo baskets that seem ordinary but actually have a history of over a hundred years. It is said that during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, an old man left a pair of bamboo baskets at Dama Yan (now Ruibei) but did not return to claim them for many days. When the villagers opened the baskets, they discovered a pair of Buddha statues inside. Moreover, there was a note instructing that one statue should guard Shuiwei (Ruìsuì) and the other should guard Matainan (Guangfu). This is the origin of the two brother temples we have today. In the 61st year of the Republic of China, a major earthquake struck Hualien, which caused Qinglian Temple to collapse, but the statues and bamboo baskets inside remained completely unharmed. The local residents believed that this was a sign of divine presence, showcasing a miracle. To this day, this pair of bamboo baskets remains the treasured relic of Qinglian Temple! The exterior walls and internal floors of Qinglian Temple are made from serpentinite, which is abundantly produced in Ruìsuì, giving the entire building a distinctive local style. With excellent management, the temple is well-lit and has a solemn yet welcoming atmosphere. Many devotees from both local and external areas visit, making Qinglian Temple the spiritual and faith center for the people of Ruìsuì.
