Peitian Temple Introduction
Pei Tian Temple was established in the 26th year of the Kangxi era. It is said that a resident of Dongshi Ban Yue Zhuang, Lin Ma, was a devout follower of Mazu, and traveled every year to various Mazu temples for worship. Due to the arduous journey, he decided this year to bring back the Mazu statue from Meizhou to worship at his home. On the return journey, Lin Ma stopped to rest at a tea stand under a tree on the south bank of the Puzi River. Upon learning of this, nearby residents asked him to stay for a few days so that they could worship Mazu. However, a few days later, when Lin Ma intended to return home, the statue had become too heavy to move. After casting lots for divination, the deity indicated that it would forever guard the place. Thus, the locals built a small temple for worship. Since there was a tree nearby, it was named "Pu Shu Gong" (Puzhu Temple). The settlement subsequently developed outward from this temple, hence Puzi was formerly known as "Puzi Jiao," derived from this. Later, "Pu Shu Gong" was renamed "Pei Tian Temple." The reason for this name change is varied, but a more credible account suggests that in the 4th year of the Tongzhi era (1865), during the completion of renovation, the temple board adopted the new name to symbolize "sharing a thousand autumn fragrances and contributing to the creation of heaven and earth." Due to its flourishing incense offerings, several renovations took place over the years. The first expansion occurred in the 54th year of the Kangxi era, which included modifications to the central hall and worship hall. Renovations took place approximately every fifty years during the Qianlong, Jiaqing, and Tongzhi periods. During the Japanese occupation, in 1915, the fourth renovation was believed to be hosted by the renowned master Chen Ying-bin from Zhangzhou, using the "dui chang zuo" method, and it was the first case of official Japanese assistance for temple renovations in Taiwan. Significant changes after World War II included renovations to the rear hall in the 36th year of the Republic of China, the construction of a bell and drum tower, and the building of a visitor center from the 64th to 66th year. The renovation of the east and west side rooms occurred in the 70th year. The Lantern Festival celebration of the Pei Tian Temple has been its most distinctive event for over a hundred years, which is also related to General Wang De-lu. Legend has it that the Jiaqing Emperor granted permission for General Wang to host a lantern festival at his residence for the enjoyment of his elderly siblings. Later, General Wang moved the lantern festival to Pei Tian Temple to honor Mazu and allow the public to appreciate it, thus establishing the tradition of the lantern festival at this temple. Building Overview: Pei Tian Temple's architectural layout is generally in a "回" (Hui) shape, like most temples, with the central axis being the most prestigious space, consisting successively of the most ornate San Chuan Dian (Three Rivers Hall), the tallest Zheng Dian (Main Hall), and the Rear Hall, which are the main worship areas. The left and right sides include side rooms used as offices and other spaces. Flanking the main hall are the bell tower and drum tower, enhancing the grandeur of the roof lines. Architectural Features: Pei Tian Temple was renovated using the "dui chang zuo" method. Two groups of craftsmen worked on the left and right sides of the central axis respectively, achieving a competitive and time-saving outcome. Therefore, when standing in the center of the San Chuan Dian and looking up at the roof, one can observe that the wooden components and carvings on both sides are asymmetrical, showcasing the distinct skills of the two groups of craftsmen.
