Lungshan Temple of Manka Introduction
Longshan Temple, founded in the early stages, is grand in scale and exquisitely sculptured. It underwent major renovations after the earthquake in the 20th year of the Jiaqing reign (1815) and was rebuilt again after a storm in the sixth year of the Tongzhi reign (1867). In the eighth year of the Republic of China, the beams were damaged by termites, prompting the abbot Master Fuzhi to donate more than 7,000 yuan from his life savings to raise funds for restoration, laying the foundation for the present scale of Longshan Temple. During World War II in the 34th year of the Republic of China, it was ravaged by air raids, resulting in the complete destruction of the main hall; however, the statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva remained seated on the lotus pedestal, majestic in countenance. In the past, during air raids, residents would take refuge under the lotus seat of Guanyin Bodhisattva; yet, on the eve of this air raid, the residents, unable to bear the rampage of mosquitoes, returned home, resulting in no casualties during the destruction of the main hall. The residents believe it was the protection of Guanyin Bodhisattva, and this miracle further solidified her as a major spiritual support for the people of Wanhua. Longshan Temple is oriented north-south and features a return-shaped facade, designed in a palace-style architecture typical of the classical three-entry and four-courtyard layout in China. It consists of the front hall, main hall, rear hall, and left and right guardian dragons. The front hall has 11 bays and is divided into the San Chuan Hall, Dragon Gate Hall, and Tiger Gate Hall. In front of the San Chuan Hall stands a pair of bronze spiral dragon columns, a rare sight in Taiwan. The main wall is constructed from a mix of granite and basalt, with various stories depicted on the wall originating mostly from "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and "Investiture of the Gods," rich in educational significance. The roof of the main hall is designed in a hipped gable style, supported by 42 columns in the surrounding corridor. The outer walls feature many famous calligraphy stone carvings, and the spiral algae ceiling was constructed without nails or iron, entirely built from bracket sets. The roof of the rear hall is also in a hipped gable style, serving as a typical worship place for Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist deities. The left and right guardian dragons each have a bell tower and a drum tower, with a unique flat hexagonal roof. The entire temple's ridge and flying eaves are adorned with auspicious motifs like dragons, phoenixes, and qilins, decorated with cut clay and Jiaozhi pottery, showcasing a rich array of colors, representing the essence of Taiwanese cut clay art. In the 74th year of the Republic of China, the government announced Wanhua Longshan Temple as a national protected secondary historical site, ranking alongside the National Palace Museum and Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall as three major attractions for international tourists visiting Taiwan. Longshan Temple also built a cultural plaza building on Cultural Road in Banqiao, which was completed and opened in the 94th year of the Republic of China, hosting various courses and lectures to promote the cultural values of Buddhism and social education. Longshan Temple in Wanhua regularly holds festive ceremonies and folk activities each year, such as the Lantern Festival in the first lunar month, the Bathing Buddha Festival in April, and the Ghost Festival in July. Visitors to Wanhua Longshan Temple not only appreciate the beauty of Taiwanese temple architecture but also experience the joy of traditional folk culture.
