Dashiye Temple Introduction
Historical Evolution:
Construction Year: The date of establishment is unknown; it was rebuilt in 1923 (Taisho 12)
Main Deity: Guanyin Bodhisattva (Da Shi Ye)
The origin of this temple's construction cannot be verified, but it may have been established during the Qianlong period. In 1906, the Meishan earthquake completely destroyed the temple, and in 1923, devotees raised funds to rebuild it, merging the Da Shi Ye temple and the Qingsheng Palace (Mazu), Kaizhang Shengwang Temple (Chen Yuan Guang), and Kaito Shengwang Temple (Zheng Chenggong) that were also affected by the earthquake. Due to the constraints of the Japanese colonial religious policies, it was rebuilt under the name "Ciji Temple." In 1987 (the 76th year of the Republic), it resumed its original name.
Da Shi Ye, also known as Da Shi Ye Bo and Da Shi Ye Gong, has various origin stories: One theory suggests that Da Shi Ye was a king of ghosts who was later subdued by Guanyin Bodhisattva; another says that Guanyin transformed into the form of the ghost king to subdue demons; records from the county indicate that conflicts arose between the Quanzhou people in Beigang and the Zhangzhou people in Minxiong over trivial matters, resulting in many casualties. As a result, both sides agreed to conduct a memorial service to honor the souls of the deceased, with Da Shi Ye representing the spirits of the deceased. There is also a belief that due to an epidemic, the ancestors offered sacrifices to the Da Shi Ye they revered in their homeland, hoping to quell the illness. Although these accounts are inconsistent, they reflect the temple's role in resolving conflicts and promoting harmony in immigrant communities, stabilizing public sentiment during outbreaks, among other functions.
In the past, Da Shi Ye was only worshipped at street corners during memorial services, where paper effigies were displayed (or it is said that Guanyin Bodhisattva only manifested as a ghost king during this time). Therefore, on regular days, only the statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva is seen in the main hall. The annual grand event in Minxiong, the Da Shi Ye Festival, takes place from July 21 to 23 in the lunar calendar, during which a paper effigy of Da Shi Ye with a green face and tusks is enshrined in the main hall. At the end of the memorial service, the Da Shi Ye effigy, along with those of the Mountain God and the Earth God, is burned to symbolically escort the spirits away, restoring peace to the community.
Architectural Profile:
The existing structure of the Da Shi Ye Temple was rebuilt in 1923 and honors the deities from four temples. Thus, the layout of the Da Shi Ye Temple is divided into four main parts: the side buildings are the Kaizhang Shengwang Hall and the Kaito Shengwang Hall, while the central axis features the San Chuan Hall and the main hall, which form the core of the Da Shi Ye Temple. The rear hall is the Qingsheng Palace, which honors Mazu. Additionally, the front facade, featuring the San Chuan Hall and the two side gates, showcases the essence of multiple temples side by side.
The oldest components of this temple likely include the stone lions of the San Chuan Hall and the column jewels of the rear hall, which are relics from the original Qingsheng Palace, carved in the 14th year of the Jiaqing era. The stone lions are particularly exquisite among stone carvings, characterized by a style from the mid-Qing period, making them worth careful appreciation. Furthermore, the wood carvings in the San Chuan Hall are intricate and feature unique themes, including figures of scholars, farmers, woodcutters, and fishermen, as well as window carvings focusing on hellish scenes.
Architectural Features:
The rebuilt beams, columns, and stone materials of this temple primarily come from the Qingsheng Palace and other temples that were toppled during the earthquake in 1905. Some artifacts from the Qing colonial period are also preserved, which indirectly maintain the temple culture of the Minxiong area.
