Luye Kunzi Temple and Luye Shrine Introduction
Public transportation click this link >>> Taiwan Tourist Shuttle - Zonggu Luye Line information (schedule / fare table) accessible bus reservation >>>> Taiwan Tourist Shuttle accessible reservation information. Next to the Luye Longtian Bicycle Path, there is a temple surrounded by ancient trees, which is the Kuncitang, dedicated to the worship of Yaochi Jinmu. It serves as a spiritual center for the locals and a gathering place for the community. Kuncitang is quite unique, possessing architectural styles from both Shinto shrines and Taoist temples. Its current location was originally the site of a shrine in an immigrant village during the Japanese occupation, and it was also where Master Cheng Yen once practiced. If you want to understand the history of Longtian Village, Kuncitang is a must-visit cultural site. Witnessing the history of the Longtian immigrant village, the Luye Shrine is located behind Kuncitang. During the Japanese occupation, it was the spiritual center for the Longtian immigrant village, dedicated to the gods of development and Prince Kanetaka of the Kitabatake clan. Annual events such as the Harvest Festival and the Taiwan Shrine Foundation Day are held here. When villagers celebrate weddings or enlist in the military, grand ceremonies are conducted, making it the most important shrine in the Luye area. After the end of the war, only a base remained at the shrine. In 2014, through cooperation with Japanese craftsmen, the shrine was restored to its former glory, featuring a simple torii gate and a small, exquisite main hall, making visitors feel as if they were traveling in Japan, becoming a popular spot for photos. Relaxing and chatting under the Ciji tree. After Taiwan's retrocession, the deities worshiped at the Luye Shrine were invited back to Japan, and residents subsequently began to enshrine local gods such as Tudi Gong, Mazu, and Yaochi Jinmu at the original shrine site. Among them, the sturdy and aged old eggplant trees and neem trees in front of the hall are great places for residents to cool down and chat. It was also where the untutored Master Cheng Yen resided and practiced under his master, where he discussed Buddhist teachings with the community, thus the Ciji people refer to it as the Ciji Tree, commemorating the place of the Master's first cultivation.
