Lotus Temple Introduction
In the third year of the Guangxu reign, Li Shenshi, the magistrate of Zhucian, passed by the current site of Lianhua Temple. Faced with the majestic Eighteen Peaks Mountain and the deep Toucian River, he admired the area's spiritual significance and suggested that local gentry build a temple. In 1878, twelve local figures, including Lin Xixian, initiated the establishment of Lianhua Temple (commonly known as Guanyin Temple), which is dedicated to Avalokitesvara. In 1895, Taiwan was ceded to Japan, leading to turmoil and leaving the temple in ruins. In 1904, local gentry such as Lin Ronghe, Lin Qifu, and Yang Qingyun initiated its reconstruction, resulting in a revival of the temple's activity. In the 48th year of the Republic of China, Master Xiu Hui took over as the abbot, focusing on the restoration of the environment and remodeling the main hall and other buildings while maintaining the traditional style, thus revitalizing the temple and making it a pilgrimage site for believers from Zhubei and beyond. Lianhua Temple comprises two halls, two corridors, and two horizontal buildings in scale. The main structure was damaged during the wars but was later restored by subsequent generations, resulting in its present appearance. Overall, the architecture of Lianhua Temple not only preserves the architectural characteristics of the late Qing Dynasty, early Japanese occupation, and early post-war periods but also serves as a center for regional religious culture, making it an excellent resource for the study of local cultural heritage.
