Donglong Temple Introduction
Donglong Temple, Chaolong Temple, and Fu'an Temple are the three famous temples in Donggang, each enshrining different deities. Among them, the deity of Donglong Temple, known as Wang Ye, is an important spiritual support for the people of Donggang, closely linked to the cultural practices of Donggang Town. Wang Ye, also referred to as "Qian Sui," has various legendary origins. According to legend, he was Wen Hong, who served as a protector during the Tang Dynasty and tragically perished at sea. In folk customs, Wen Wang Ye is regarded as both a sea god and a plague god, and he was conferred by the Jade Emperor to patrol the heavens on behalf of the deities. It is said that every three years, Wang Ye returns to Donggang, leading to the "Donggang Wang Ye Ping An Festival," celebrated every three years to welcome his arrival. Almost all residents of Donggang Town participate in this event, following ancient practices to create intricately carved and beautifully decorated "Wang Jiao/Wang Ship" for the celebrations. The eight-day festival includes welcoming the king, processions, banquets, and sending off the king, featuring awe-inspiring rituals, lively performances, and the deafening sounds of firecrackers with devout worshipers at every turn. If you have the chance to visit Donggang during the "Donggang Wang Ye Ping An Festival," take a moment to participate in this grand event and experience the respect Donggang has for Wang Ye and the local cultural enthusiasm. The main deity of Donglong Temple, Wang Ye, has the surname Wen, given name Hong, and courtesy name Dexiu. He was born in the Sui Dynasty and hails from Baima Alley in Licheng County, Jinan Prefecture, Shandong Province. During the Tang Dynasty's Zhenguan era, Emperor Li Shimin traveled incognito and faced danger. Wen Hong selflessly saved the emperor’s life and was rewarded for his bravery. Among the thirty-six individuals who saved the emperor, he was honored with the title of Jinshi. At that time, bandits were rampant, causing great suffering to the people. The thirty-six Jinshi were dispatched to lead elite troops against the bandits. Wen Hong displayed remarkable military prowess, launching a direct assault on the bandit hideouts, resulting in the surrender of tens of thousands of rebels, and restoring peace to the nation. After his victorious return, he was granted an imperial edict and honored as Wang Ye. In a time of peace, the thirty-six Jinshi were ordered to travel the world and promote the virtues of the Tang Dynasty. On one of these voyages, their ship unfortunately encountered a perilous situation at sea, leading to the tragic loss of all thirty-six members. Upon hearing this news, Emperor Zhenguan was devastated to lose such loyal subjects and began to believe in their divine status, posthumously conferring the title "Patrolling Heaven on Behalf of the Deities." He issued an edict for temples to be built nationwide for annual rituals to honor them, granting them eternal incense offerings from the living. Additionally, he commanded the construction of a large ship named "Wang Wang Ship," which housed the spiritual tablets of Wang Ye and his sworn brothers. After the ritual, the ship would be sent to sea, adorned with the imperial inscription: "Traveling to the government office and county, honoring the spirits,” declaring to the world that wherever the Wang Wang Ship arrives, both government officials and the people must offer sacrifices of pigs and sheep, thus providing reverence to comfort Wang Ye's spirit in heaven. (Image and text provided by Donglong Temple)
A scene inside Donglong Temple
Donglong Temple Golden Archway
