Cihua Temple Introduction
Liugui Village's Cihua Temple enshrines Donggong Zhenren, who is considered a deity revered by the Weng clan in Yizhu Township. Historical records indicate that he was one of the guardian spirits who accompanied the Weng clan from Anxi County in Fujian during the late Qing Dynasty when they settled in the Erzhuwi Village. Born during the late Sui Dynasty, he grew up in the Jiangnan region. In his youth, he displayed remarkable intelligence and was indifferent to wealth and power amid the chaotic times. This led him to aspire to a life of purification and asceticism, practicing in places like Huxi and Jiaoling, achieving enlightenment in southern Fujian, and attaining truth in Donglu. He extended the traces of Buddhism in Anxi and manifested miraculous power in Tongcheng. Donggong Zhenren originally resided in the West, considered an ancient Buddha, who descended to the East to become a high monk. He gained early insight into Zen and deeply researched Daoism. With profound knowledge and clarity of true nature, he attained a state of tranquility and embodied moral virtues, subduing countless demons. His pure land remained tranquil, and he continuously opened convenient gateways of teachings to save beings from suffering, thus receiving the title of Yufeng Cibian Jiansheng Dao Te Tianzun. With his influence in Anxi's Kebang Temple, he later manifested in Cihua Temple, where he is also referred to as “Old Ancestor,” along with six other Zhenren—Dong, Xu, Yang, Xu, Wu, Xue, and Zhao. The Weng clan in Yizhu Township, mostly descended from Ancestors who settled in Yizhu from Kebang in Fujian, has flourished for nine generations. Donggong Zhenren’s divine spirit protects the Weng clan in Yizhu, which is unquestionable. Descendants of Gong Guixi and Gong Binxu took turns in worship during the late Qing Dynasty, and presently, there are two main statues of Donggong, namely Da Dong and San Dong, enshrined in Cihua Temple, while Er Dong is housed in Bixing Palace in Yizhu Village. It is understood that when Donggong Zhenren first arrived in Yizhu during the late Kangxi era, he was worshiped in a public hall format. Later, due to the successful descendants of Gong Guixi and Gong Binxu, they established their clan temples, allowing for his enshrinement within them. The construction of Cihua Temple was inspired by Donggong Zhenren's miraculous manifestations and compassion. Responding to the call of virtuous believers, the communal desire to build the temple arose. Mr. Weng Xintai, the village chief (a member of the first provincial council), donated land, while local believers like Weng Tianhua and Weng Guojing initiated the planning and design of the temple in the style of Song Dynasty architecture. With generous donations from all walks of life, the groundbreaking and consecration ceremony was held on an auspicious date in May of the 62nd year of the Republic. The temple was named Cihua Temple, and it was established that every year on the 27th day of the 11th month of the lunar calendar, the birthday of Donggong Zhenren is celebrated. A stage was built in the square in front of the temple, and an extension was added to the left for meetings and hospitality purposes for the devotees.
