Qinglian Temple Introduction
Qinglian Temple is the center of faith in Ruisui. In response to the needs of local believers, today's Qinglian Temple not only worships the main deity, Shakyamuni Buddha, but also honors Taoist deities such as Guandi, Mazu, Tudi Gong, and Zhusheng Niangniang, providing a space for local devotees to pray and seek blessings while accommodating folk beliefs. Therefore, Qinglian Temple has developed a unique form that is one of the few Buddhist-Taoist integrated temples among the numerous temples in Taiwan. This century-old temple also holds its own unique legends. Inside the temple, there is a pair of bamboo baskets that seems ordinary, but they have a history of over a hundred years. According to legend, during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, an old man left a pair of bamboo baskets at Dama Yan (present-day Ruibei), but after some time, he did not return to claim them. When the villagers opened the baskets, they discovered that inside were two statues of the Buddha. Moreover, there was a note indicating that one statue was to guard the water tail (Ruisui), while the other was to guard the Matayan Community (Guangfu). This is the origin of the two brother temples today. In 1972, Hualien experienced a major earthquake that caused Qinglian Temple to collapse, yet the statues and bamboo baskets inside were completely undamaged. As a result, local residents believed that this was a manifestation of divine spirit. To this day, this pair of bamboo baskets remains the treasured possession of Qinglian Temple! The exterior walls and indoor floors of Qinglian Temple are made of serpentine stone, which is abundantly produced in Ruisui, giving the overall architecture a local flavor. Coupled with a well-organized management system, the temple is well-lit and offers a solemn yet welcoming atmosphere. Many devotees from both local and outside the area visit, making Qinglian Temple a central part of the spiritual and religious life for the people of Ruisui.
