Taipei Confucius Temple Introduction
The Taipei Confucius Temple was constructed in 1927 and is located in the culturally rich area of Dàlóngtóng Old Street. Under the urban renewal plan promoted by the Taipei City Government, it forms a cultural park along with Dàlóng Elementary School and Bǎo'ān Temple, representing a harmonious blend of "temple, school, and shrine." The temple serves multiple purposes, including being a ceremonial venue, a symbol of Confucianism, and a designated historical site. The Taipei Confucius Temple adopts the architectural style of the original temple in Qufu, with uncarved beams and columns, which gives it a simple yet solemn appearance. Its layout includes the Wànrèn Palace Wall, Pàn Pond, Lìngxīng Gate, Yí Gate, Dàchéng Hall, and Chóngshèng Shrine. Notably, all pillars, doors, and windows in the temple lack couplets, which is said to signify that no one dares to flaunt their literary skills in front of the sage Confucius. Additionally, since it was built by the community, local decorative styles were incorporated, such as the unique Jiaozi pottery and paper-cutting decorations typical of the Minnan region, with Jiaozi pottery being particularly distinctive among Taiwanese Confucius temple architecture. The main hall, Dàchéng Hall, houses the tablet of Confucius in the center, with the black plaque inscribed in gold above it stating "There are no distinctions in teaching." The left and right walls feature tablets honoring the Four Companions (Zengzi, Yan Hui, Zisi, and Mencius) and the Twelve Philosophers, creating a solemn and majestic atmosphere. The temple's ambiance evokes a sense of respect and seriousness, embodying the righteous spirit of Confucian culture. Moreover, the rich Jiaozi pottery waterwheel decorations in Dàchéng Hall represent a unique feature in Taiwanese Confucius temple architecture, inviting visitors to appreciate the beauty of the building. Although the temple does not have numerous deities and ceremonial implements, it possesses several ritual vessels and musical instruments made in accordance with ancient customs, which are used during the annual ritual ceremony on September 28 to honor Confucius through music and dance, complemented by offerings of food and wine, drawing numerous domestic and international visitors to experience the solemn atmosphere of traditional Confucian ceremonies. In recent years, the Confucius Temple has actively revitalized the historic site by establishing artifact exhibit rooms and multimedia display areas that allow for a deeper understanding of the temple's beauty and the various ritual instruments and musical tools used in ceremonies. An innovative display center for the Ba Yi musical instruments has been set up, where visitors can listen to diverse sounds with just a light touch on an illustrated description. Additionally, the temple has installed the only Chinese, English, Japanese, and Korean audio guide system among Confucius Temples in Taiwan to cater to international visitors. Furthermore, the temple frequently organizes various innovative activities that combine traditional and modern art, with the annual Dàlóngtóng Cultural Festival series providing opportunities to experience ritual culture and deepen the understanding of Confucianism, bringing in a new wave of visitors. Additionally, the Minglun Hall within the temple features a 4D virtual reality theater, presenting the history of the temple and the life of Confucius using high-tech imagery and immersive effects, allowing audiences to understand the stories of Confucius and the temple. This not only adds entertainment but also continues the educational significance represented by the temple in a novel way.
