Qinglian Temple Introduction
Qinglian Temple is the center of faith in Ruisui. In consideration of 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, the Earth God, and the Goddess of Birth, providing a place for local worshipers to pray for blessings while incorporating folk beliefs. Thus, Qinglian Temple has developed into a unique example among the many temples in Taiwan that combine Buddhism and Taoism. This century-old temple also has its own unique legends. Inside the temple is a pair of bamboo baskets that seem ordinary but have a history of over a hundred years. It is said that during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, an old man carried a pair of bamboo baskets and left them in Dama Yan (present-day Ruibei). However, after many days, he did not come back to collect them. The villagers opened the baskets and discovered that they contained a pair of Buddhas. Furthermore, there was a note indicating that one Buddha should guard Shuiwei (Ruisui) and the other should guard Mataian She (Guangfu). This is the origin of the two brother temples today. In 1972, Hualien experienced a major earthquake that even caused Qinglian Temple to collapse, but the deities and bamboo baskets inside the temple remained completely unharmed. Thus, local residents believed that the temple possessed spiritual energy, which could demonstrate miracles. To this day, this pair of bamboo baskets remains the treasured possession of Qinglian Temple! The exterior walls and internal floors of Qinglian Temple are made of serpentinite stone, which is abundant in Ruisui, giving the overall architecture a local aesthetic. Coupled with a sound management system, the temple is well-lit, creating an atmosphere that is solemn yet warm. Many devotees from both the local area and beyond visit Qinglian Temple, which has become the spiritual and faith hub for the people of Ruisui.
