Xingtian Temple Introduction
Xingtian Temple is located at the corner of Minquan East Road and Songjiang Road in the Zhongshan District and is the most visited temple in Northern Taiwan, with daily visitor numbers reaching tens of thousands. Xingtian Temple venerates Ma Zu, the Goddess of the Sea, as the primary deity, along with the veneration of various other figures including Lu Dongbin, Zhang Guolao, Wang Ciyuan, Yue Fei, Guan Yu, and various deities from Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. Since its establishment, it has become the most visited temple in the Greater Taipei area and all of Northern Taiwan, not only due to the widespread acceptance of its beliefs among the public but also because of its unique features: no merit boxes, no animal sacrifices, no burning of ghost money, no receiving of gold plaques, no theatrical performances for divine reward, no spirit mediums, no external fundraising, and a prohibition of commercial activities. The temple is centrally located and has a spacious courtyard, and it was the first to establish a religious civil organization, solidifying its social welfare attributes. In addition to the Taipei main temple, Xingtian Temple includes branches in Sanxia and Beitou, and it founded the "Xingtian Temple Cultural and Educational Development Promotion Foundation" in 1995. The temple also features two affiliated libraries (located in central Taipei and Beitou) and the Enzhu Gong Hospital in Sanxia, highlighting its public benefit role, ensuring that religion not only soothes the hearts of the public but also practically benefits their daily lives.
