Mengjia Qingshui Temple Introduction
Qingshui Cliff is located at the intersection of Kangding Road and Changsha Road, and is dedicated to the worship of "Qingshui Zhuzi," which is why it is referred to as Qingshui Yan or Qingshui Rock, as well as being known as the Ancestor Temple. Qingshui Zhuzi is commonly addressed by various titles in Taiwanese folk customs, including Ancestor Gong, Black Faced Ancestor, Penglai Ancestor, and Falling Nose Ancestor, among others. Qingshui Zhuzi was a person from the Northern Song Dynasty, born in Fujian Province. His secular name varies in legend, with accounts mentioning Chen Zhao, Chen Ying, and Chen Zhao Ying. He practiced Buddhism and gained enlightenment from a young age, having built a small temple for meditation on the rocky hills of Penglai Mountain. The clear and cold water within the rock cave led to the temple being called Qingshui Yan, which is the origin of the name "Qingshui Zhuzi." According to legend, while Qingshui Zhuzi was meditating in Qingshui Yan, a ghost used a great fire that left the Ancestor with a "completely black face," yet he was unharmed, hence the title "Black Faced Ancestor." The name "Falling Nose Ancestor" comes from the legend that whenever a disaster is about to occur near the Ancestor Temple, the Ancestor's nose would fall off to warn the residents and devotees. The walls of the Dragon and Tiger Gates at Qingshui Yan feature brick carvings, and the couplets above the main entrance read: "For Qingshui, for Penglai, this place divides the Dharma Realm; Is the golden body, is the iron face, upon entering you see the true face," all of which are artistic works from the 1817 restoration. Additionally, it is worth noting the ancient plaque which has the inscription "Gongzi Zhengji" granted by Emperor Guangxu.
