Cihua Temple Introduction
Liugui Village's Cihua Temple enshrines Dong Gong Zhen Ren, who is the ancestral deity for the Wong clan of Yizhu Township. Records indicate that he was one of the guardian deities when the Wong family, who are kin from Anxi, Fujian, came to settle in the Erzhuwi Village during the late Qing Dynasty under the Kangxi Emperor. Born in the late Sui Dynasty and raised in the Jiangnan region, Dong Gong Zhen Ren was known for his extraordinary talents at a young age. Despite the chaos of his times, he viewed wealth and status as fleeting, which led him to pursue a life of purification and self-cultivation, retreating to Hu Xi and refining himself on Jiao Ling. He attained enlightenment through Southern Minn dialect and realized the truth on Eastern Ridge, thus establishing the Buddhist path in Anxi, demonstrating divine signs in Tongcheng. Dong Gong Zhen Ren originally resided in the Western Heaven, known as an ancient Buddha, who descended to the Eastern lands to become a high monk. He had early insights into Zen, deeply researched Taoist teachings, and mastered the subtle and profound principles, achieving the true nature of enlightenment. He provided spiritual guidance, subjugated demons, and achieved a pure land of ease, always opening convenient paths for the faithful, aiding beings in the world, and enlightening future learners. Consequently, he was honored with the title of Jade-sealed Compassionate Savior and embodied within the Bao Dian of Anxi. He is also referred to as "Lao Zu," associated with seven deities including Dong, Xu, Yang, Xu, Wu, Xue, and Zhao. Most members of the Wong clan in Yizhu Township have descended from the Anxi, Ke Bang area, establishing a lineage that has persisted for nine generations. Dong Gong Zhen Ren is known to protect the Wong clan in Yizhu. During the late Qing Dynasty, the descendants of Gong Guixi and Gong Binkei took turns in their offerings. Currently, two statues of Dong Gong Zhen Ren, known as Da Dong and San Dong, are enshrined in the Cihua Temple in Yizhu, while Er Dong is housed in the Bixing Palace in Liugui Village. It is understood that during the late Kangxi era, when Dong Gong Zhen Ren was first worshiped in Yizhu, he was enshrined in a public hall format. Later, as the descendants of Gong Guixi and Gong Binkei became successful and established ancestral halls, he was enshrined within those halls. The construction of Cihua Temple was prompted by the miraculous manifestations of Dong Gong Zhen Ren, along with responses from various devotees. The community collectively decided to build the temple. Mr. Wong Xintai, the village leader (the first provincial councilor), donated land, and local villagers such as Wong Tianhua and Wong Guojing initiated design plans, adopting a Song-style palace architectural design. With the sincere donations from various kind-hearted people, the temple was completed on a selected auspicious date in May of the 62nd year of the Republic of China, officially named Cihua Temple. The 27th day of the 11th lunar month is designated as the birthday of Dong Gong Zhen Ren, and a stage has been built in the temple's front square, while the left wing has been expanded for meetings and hospitality purposes for devotees.
