Lotus Temple Introduction
In the third year of the Qing Guangxu period, the magistrate of Zhúqiàn, Li Shenyí, passed by the current site of Lianhua Temple. Facing the Eighteen Peaks Mountain and the headstream of the Touqian River, he deeply admired the location's spiritual significance and instructed local gentry to build a temple. In 1878, Lin Xixian and twelve other gentry initiated the establishment of Lianhua Temple (commonly known as Guanyin Temple), which is dedicated to Guanyin (Avalokitesvara). In 1895, after Taiwan was ceded to Japan, the temple suffered from wars and became desolate. It wasn't until 1904 that local gentry such as Lin Ronghe, Lin Qifu, and Yang Qingyun initiated its reconstruction, which led to the revival of worship. In the 48th year of the Republic of China, Master Xiu Hui took over as the abbot, determined to improve the environment by renovating the main hall and living quarters while maintaining the ancient style, thus revitalizing the temple and turning it into a sacred site for worshippers from Zhubei and beyond. Lianhua Temple comprises two main halls, two corridors, and two transverse buildings. The main structure was damaged during the wars but has been rebuilt by later generations, resulting in its present form. The architecture of Lianhua Temple retains the characteristics of late Qing, early Japanese rule, and early post-war periods, serving as a cultural integration center for regional beliefs and providing excellent material for the study of local culture.
