Tan Shui Pavilion Introduction
Tanshui Pavilion, with a history of over 200 years, is located in Tanyali, Tanzi District, Taichung City, and serves as the faith center of the area. During the Qianlong period, the wooden statue of Guanyin floated downstream to Xiatanzai, emitting light at night. The early settlers built a small stone temple under the bamboo grove by the pond to serve as a place of worship. In the sixth year of the Jiaqing era (1801), the villagers, recognizing the increasing number of devotees, pooled resources to build a pavilion by the pond, which marked the beginning of Tanshui Pavilion. In the fourth year of the Daoguang era (1824), it was renovated, and the villagers erected a plaque for commemoration. In the fourth year of the Guangxu era (1878), donations from Lin Qinchung of Dabu Village and Lin Zhenchun of Sanfenpu paid for repairs and the construction of an additional worship pavilion. Since then, the temple has maintained its complete structure, welcoming a steady stream of worshippers. In the ninth year of the Republic of China, a flood damaged the hall’s walls and beams. Villagers Lin Qiangzhang, Fu Zhiqi, and Lin Xiwa advocated for relocating the temple, with Lin Fengyuan donating land for its reconstruction. By April of the same year, the temple was rebuilt and completed in the twelfth year of the Republic of China. In the fifty-seventh year of the Republic of China, due to frequent leaks in the temple's roof, local philanthropist Dai Chunbo initiated fundraising for renovations; generous donations from worshippers, including Wu Tian, contributed a piece of land for road access. The renovations and expansions were completed by the winter of the sixty-fifth year, and the management committee was established in the seventieth year. As half a century passed, Chairman Dai dedicated himself to fundraising efforts, purchasing eleven residential units behind the temple in the eightieth year, which were transformed into the Daxiong Pavilion and completed in the ninetieth year. The original rear hall and side rooms had frequent leaks; a repair group was established in the ninety-third year, dismantling and expanding it into the central hall, preserving the main hall (Guanyin Hall), resulting in a unique in-temple structure. In May of the ninety-sixth year, 160.8 pings of land were purchased for the temple courtyard, and the project was completed by the end of the year, forming the temple's present appearance. A ceremonial prayer for blessings was conducted in the Year of the Wu Zi. The expansion of Tanshui Pavilion took place from January of the ninety-fourth year to July of the ninety-seventh year. The unique in-temple structure features Guanyin Bodhisattva in the front hall, accompanied by Shancai Longnv, decorated in splendor. The rear hall's second floor houses Shakyamuni Buddha, Medicine Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, Manjushri Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, the protecting deity Wei Tuo Bodhisattva, and the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva along with the Wall of Ten Thousand Buddhas. The first floor houses Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and the Wall of Ten Thousand Buddhas. The central hall's third floor features the Jade Emperor, the second floor hosts the Three Officials, Shennong, Xuantian Shangdi, Doumu Xingjun, Nandu Xingjun, Beidou Xingjun, and the Sixty Jiazi Tai Sui stars. The first floor features the Heavenly Mother, Guansheng Dijun, Zhuseng Niangniang, the Most Sacred Ancestor, Wenchang Dijun, Qiaosheng Xianshi, Chenghuang Ye, Siming Zhenjun, Fude Zhengshen, and Zhongtan Yuanshuai, with spaces for meetings, offices, and service desks. Tanshui Pavilion boasts a vast temple area, with magnificent architecture that serves as a solemn and beneficial place for teaching and worship. The structure is complete and rich in ancient charm; a green-tiled cultural corridor was built at the northern end (now demolished), and a quaint hexagonal pavilion was constructed at the southwest. Surrounded by lush vegetation, it is a beautiful setting, marking the old site of the Tanshui Pavilion. It has now become a significant place for local residents to seek solace and blessings. Source: Tanshui Pavilion Guanyin Temple.
