Wenxing Temple Introduction
Deity Enshrined: Qingshui Zushi; Location: Weixin Village, formerly known as Zhuzaigang, is one of the earliest developed areas in Yong'an. In the tenth year of the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty (1805), believers pooled resources to build a temple – Wenxing Temple, which primarily enshrines Qingshui Zushi (Black-faced Ancestor), recognized as the second ancestor. The devotees commonly refer to the altar as "Old Ancestor." The rear hall enshrines the Three Sages of the West (Amitabha Buddha, Guanyin Bodhisattva, and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva), as well as Manjushri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. Despite the erosion over more than two hundred years, the temple shows signs of age, yet countless worshipers continually flock to seek blessings. During the Japanese occupation, villagers hid the statue to prevent destruction by the Japanese. However, due to years of neglect and deterioration, it was rebuilt in the 67th year of the Republic of China, which took three years to complete, and in the 93rd year of the Republic, the front and rear halls were refurbished again. The door gods were crafted by the temple's master painter Pan Lishui, and the temple also preserves the ancient plaque "Understanding Zen's Essence." The sixth day of the lunar calendar's first month is the birthday of Qingshui Zushi, celebrated for three days from the fifth to the seventh day, attracting around two hundred large tour buses, along with countless small vehicles coming to pay respects and celebrate. Most of the devotees come from the Dongshan District, Baihe District, and the border area of Chiayi County. Additionally, every four to six years, a peace prayer event is held, where Qingshui Zushi leads up to one hundred pilgrims who are all vegetarian, walking for seven days and six nights to Biyun Temple to pay homage and pray for national peace and abundant harvests.
