Qinglian Temple Introduction
Qinglian Temple is the center of faith in Ruysui. In response to the needs of local believers, today's Qinglian Temple not only venerates the main deity Sakyamuni Buddha but also worships Taoist deities such as Guandi, Mazu, Tudi Gong, and the Goddess of Childbearing, providing a place for local devotees to worship and pray for blessings, while accommodating folk beliefs. Therefore, Qinglian Temple has developed a unique form among the many temples in Taiwan that integrates both Buddhism and Taoism. This century-old temple is also associated with its unique legends. Inside the temple is a pair of bamboo baskets that appear ordinary but actually have a history of over a hundred years. It is said that during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, an elderly man left a pair of bamboo baskets at Dama Yan (now Ruibei), but he never returned to claim them. When the locals opened the baskets, they discovered that they contained a pair of Buddha statues. Moreover, there was a note inside indicating that one Buddha was to guard the water tail (Ruysui) while the other was to guard the Matayan Society (Guangfu). This is the origin of the two brother temples today. In 1972, Hualien experienced a major earthquake that destroyed Qinglian Temple, but the statues and the bamboo baskets remained undamaged, leading local residents to believe in their spiritual energy and miraculous nature. Even today, this pair of bamboo baskets remains the treasured possession of Qinglian Temple! The exterior walls and internal flooring of Qinglian Temple are made of serpentine stone, which is abundant in Ruysui, giving the overall architecture a local style. With a well-established management system, the temple is well-lit and exudes a solemn yet warm atmosphere. Many devotees from both the local area and beyond visit, making Qinglian Temple the focus of the spiritual and faith life of the residents of Ruysui.
