Yunglian Temple Introduction
Yonglian Temple is located at the intersection of Dexin Street and Chenggong Road in the center of Luzhou District, named "Yonglian" due to its location over a lotus pit. Luzhou was formerly known as "Monk's Place" because the land was once managed by monks, hence it was also called "Monk's Isle." The main hall enshrines a statue of Guanyin Buddha of the South China Sea, along with accompanying deities such as Shancai, the Dragon Maiden, Weituo, and Kṣitigarbha, making it a center of local faith. The overall architecture of the temple consists of the front section, Yonglian Temple, and the back section, Maode Palace, which are combined. Yonglian Temple features decorations inside and outside that primarily utilize techniques such as cut clay sculptures, paintings, wood carvings, and stone carvings. A particularly unique technique is the presence of numerous celestial musicians, a rarity in other temples. In front of the rear hall, Maode Palace, there is a bronze relief covering the wall that focuses on the historical achievements of Zheng Chenggong, reflecting a modern style of large-scale bronze decorations. Outside the entrance, there are two statues of Buddhist protective deities, with Weituo holding a pestle on the left and Kṣitigarbha with a spear and stupa on the right, each nearly one meter tall. Initially, Yonglian Temple was just a small thatched cottage, but within ten years it had undergone renovations and has been rebuilt four times, resulting in the splendid temple we see today. Every year from the 17th to 19th days of the 9th lunar month, known as the "Buddha's Ordination Anniversary," Yonglian Temple holds grand celebrations, particularly on the 18th, which features a parade commonly referred to as "Luzhou Grand Worship." Temples from various regions participate, making it a lively community event in Luzhou each year. (Source: New Taipei City Tourism Website)
