Wenxing Temple Introduction
Deity Worship: Qing Shui Zushi; Location: Wei Xin Village, formerly known as Zhuzi Port, is one of the earliest developed areas of Yong'an. In the tenth year of the Jiaqing era (1805), believers pooled funds to build a village temple—Wenxing Palace, which primarily enshrines Qing Shui Zushi (Black-Faced Ancestor). He is considered the second primary deity and is affectionately referred to as "Old Ancestor" by devotees. The rear hall enshrines the Three Western Saints (Amitabha, Avalokiteshvara, and Mahasthamaprapta), Manjushri, and Samantabhadra. Despite exposure to the elements over the past two hundred years, rendering the temple facade somewhat dilapidated, devotees continue to visit in flocks for blessings. During the Japanese colonial period, villagers hid the statue to prevent it from being destroyed by Japanese forces. Eventually, due to years of neglect, the temple fell into severe disrepair and was rebuilt in the 67th year of the Republic of China, completing after three years. In the 93rd year of the Republic, both the front and rear halls were repainted. The gate gods were painted by master temple artist Pan Lishui, and the temple still preserves an ancient plaque inscribed with "Comprehending Zen's Mysteries." Every year, the sixth day of the first lunar month is the birthday of Qing Shui Zushi, and during the birthday celebrations from the fifth to the seventh day, around 200 large tour buses and countless smaller cars come to pay their respects. Most devotees come from the Dongshan District and Baijia District of Tainan City, as well as the border area with Chiayi County. Additionally, every four or six years, a peace prayer and cleansing ritual is held, where Qing Shui Zushi leads a group of fewer than one hundred incense disciples, who are all vegetarian, walking for seven days and six nights to Biyun Temple to pay respects to their ancestors and pray for national peace and bountiful weather.
