Yinshan Temple Introduction
Built in 1822, Yinshan Temple is the only well-preserved "Dingguang Buddha Temple" in Taiwan. The Dingguang Buddha is a local belief of Hakka immigrants from Tingzhou in western Fujian, which was brought to Taiwan along with the migration. In the past, Tingzhou immigrants collectively raised funds to purchase land and construct this temple to worship their hometown's guardian deity, Dingguang Ancient Buddha. It also served as a gathering place for fellow immigrants from Tingzhou. Yinshan Temple is located on Xuefu Road, opposite the Tamsui MRT Station. Although it is not a large temple, its complete structure makes it a must-visit for those studying traditional temple architecture, including the front hall, main hall, Sanchuan Hall, and protective dragon. The decorative carvings inside the temple are exquisitely crafted. In front of the temple, there is a crescent-shaped pond, and there are two wells on the left and right sides of the back of the temple, which act as "eyes," while the crescent pond resembles a frog's mouth, forming what is referred to in feng shui as the "Frog Cave." Friends interested in this may wish to explore and study it in detail. Roof Style: The main hall features a Sanchuan ridge design, while the protective rooms on both sides have flat and straight horseback-style designs, presenting a simple and friendly style. The dragon ridge of the main hall forms a gently curved beautiful arc, and the roof symbolizes the status hierarchy in traditional architecture. The cut clay and mud sculptures on the ridge are rare exquisite works; Stone Carvings of Dragon Pillars: The biggest feature of Yinshan Temple's stone carvings is their rustic shape and beautiful composition; Mud Sculptures: The colored mud sculptures on the left and right walls of the Sanchuan Hall's front corridor are vividly expressive, showcasing masterpieces of mud sculpture; Wood Carvings: The tops of the dragon pillar stone carvings in the front corridor feature exquisite carved hanging tubes and vertical columns, which are short pillars suspended from the rafters primarily to distribute the roof's weight across various columns, playing a significant role in traditional architecture. Layout and Beams: Upon entering from the Sanchuan Hall at the front, the water corridors and protective buildings flank both sides, enclosing the main hall in a complete closed courtyard, creating a tranquil and solemn atmosphere in the courtyard. The artistry of the wooden structure in traditional architecture is clearly presented inside the Sanchuan Hall, where the roof structure consists of two main beams and three support tubes. While understanding the roof structure, one can further appreciate the delicate and beautiful sculptural artistry. It is currently designated as a national historic site.
