Toyota Biliang Temple (Zhongshan Park) Introduction
Bilian Temple is located at the southern boundary of Fengli Village (the site of Toyota Immigrant Village during the Japanese occupation) near Fengping Village (the site of Daping in the Toyota Immigrant Village). It is situated at the location of the Morimoto settlement during that time. The south side of the temple is surrounded by a grove of sweet-scented bamboo, and the temple entrance faces north, adorned with intricately carved dragon-like columns; two komainu guardian dogs are stationed at the temple, indicating that it was originally a Shinto shrine. Beside them is another pair of stone lions, which were added after the war; the two pairs of guardian beasts from different ethnic groups coexist peacefully, reflecting the mixed nature of Taiwanese folk culture. Outside the terrace, there is a forest interspersed with night-blooming jasmine and banyan trees. To the northwest of the forest is Fengnian Terrace, which originally had a century-old giant pine tree standing tall, with a platform for washing faces and hands underneath. Unfortunately, the old pine became infested with pests and has since died. Nearby is a monument commemorating the 30th anniversary of the village's founding, inscribed with "June of the 17th year of Showa, 30th anniversary of founding the village, written by Governor-General Hasegawa Kiyoshi of Taiwan." Continuing along the path, on either side of the mountain path stand several pairs of Japanese stone lanterns (Mikoshi-dō), with the lantern openings shaped like the sun, moon, and squares. Originally, there were dozens of pairs of lanterns extending from the temple gate to the lotus pond at the end of the bridge. Later, to construct Fengnian Terrace, part of them was destroyed, leaving only the lantern shades remaining, which were turned upside down to be used as tables under the night-blooming jasmine trees for playing chess and tea tasting. Fengnian Terrace was originally built directly in front of the temple gate at the pond, but due to its obstruction of the temple view, it was later moved to the northwest corner, and the original site was converted into a pond. After the 1990s, Bilian Temple underwent renovation, restoring its ancient style, and the inverted stone lanterns were re-erected. The shorter stone lanterns seen today are part of this reconstruction.
