Shimen Lover's Temple Introduction
Located above Fugi Fishing Port in the Shimen District of New Taipei City, the main deity worshipped here is the Tibetan Love and Happiness Buddha. On both sides of the main temple, there are a pair of intertwined trees known as the Couples Trees. Every weekend and holiday, countless devotees come to pray for love and family harmony. The origin of the Lovers' Temple comes from the two ancient banyan trees beside the temple—known as Old Tree Father and Old Tree Mother. Although they stand on either side of the main temple, their branches are intertwined, creating a remarkable sight, and devotees refer to them as the Couples Trees or Lovers Trees. After the establishment of the Lovers' Temple, the parishioner Jiang Zhengyi discussed with metaphysics expert Wang Luojiu and decided to bring back the Love and Happiness Buddha "Gulu Gule Fo Mu" from Tibet in mainland China for worship. In Tibetan Buddhism, the Bodhisattva is responsible for love, marriage, family peace, having sons and daughters, prosperity, career, and education, and is known by two titles: Couples Deity and Love Deity. The Bodhisattva is uniquely portrayed holding a bow and arrow for love in one hand and a love rope in the other. Generally, it is not suitable for couples and spouses to visit Lovers' Temples together, but there are no such concerns at Shimen Lovers' Temple.
