Ching Lien Temple Introduction
Qinglian Temple is the center of worship in Ruisui. In response to the needs of local believers, Qinglian Temple not only venerates the main deity, the Buddha Shakyamuni, but also enshrines Taoist deities such as Guandi, Mazu, Tudigong, and Zhuseng Niangniang, allowing local devotees to worship and pray for blessings, while accommodating the expressions of folk beliefs. As a result, Qinglian Temple has developed into a unique form of a dual Buddhist and Taoist temple among the many temples in Taiwan. This century-old temple is also known for its unique legends. Inside the temple, there is a pair of bamboo baskets that seem ordinary but have over a hundred years of history. According to legend, during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, an old man carried a pair of bamboo baskets and left them at Dama Yan (present-day Ruibei). However, when he did not come back to claim them after some time, the villagers opened the baskets and discovered that they contained a pair of Buddha statues. Moreover, there was a note inside the basket indicating that one Buddha was to guard Shuiwei (Ruisui), while the other was to guard Mataian She (Guangfu). This is the origin of the two brother temples today. In 1972, Hualien experienced a major earthquake, which caused Qinglian Temple to collapse. However, the statues and the bamboo baskets within the temple were completely unharmed, leading local residents to believe that they had spiritual significance and could exhibit miracles. To this day, this pair of bamboo baskets remains the treasured artifact of Qinglian Temple! The exterior walls and internal flooring of Qinglian Temple are built using the serpentine stone, abundant in Ruisui, which gives the overall architecture a local flavor. Coupled with a well-organized management system, the temple enjoys ample lighting, creating a solemn yet welcoming atmosphere. Many devotees from both local and outside areas visit, making Qinglian Temple a central part of the spiritual and religious life of the Ruisui community.
