Lingji Temple (Guanyin Pavilion) Introduction
Ling Ji Temple, formerly known as Guanyin Pavilion and also called Ling Ji Ancient Temple, is located at the East Gate of Houpu, near the national historic site of Qiu Liang Gong's Mother Festival Memorial Arch. The temple faces northwest from the southeast, with a traditional waterway visible on its left side that flows down from Juguang Road, indicating that Ling Ji Temple also serves as a guardian of the treasury like the Shuitou Temple. The name Guanyin Pavilion comes from the main deity worshipped in the temple, Avalokiteśvara (Guanyin), hence local residents often refer to Ling Ji Temple as Guanyin Pavilion. The name “Ling Ji Ancient Temple” originates from Master Shih Wei-Te's tenure as the abbot, as seen in the inscription on the newly established incense burner in the 57th year of the Republic of China. The roof ridge of Ling Ji Temple currently bears a record from 1978, stating that it was founded in the 20th year of the Tang Dynasty (804 AD) under the reign of Emperor Dezong, although there are no historical records to support the claim of its establishment during the Tang Dynasty. According to Lin Kuan-Hsuan’s records in the "Jinmen Gazetteer," the current scale of Ling Ji Temple was rebuilt after it was damaged by fire in the fourth year of the Daoguang era and was funded by local resident Lin Jun-Yuan. It underwent several repairs during the Republic period and was used as a worship space by the Nationalist government after its arrival in Kinmen, with significant alterations made during the 67th year of the Republic of China under the supervision of Shih Wei-Te, including the construction of the bell and drum tower and subsequent repairs. In the Guanyin Pavilion and main hall of Ling Ji Temple, one can see multiple Qing Dynasty plaques, indicating its importance during that period. The "Jinmen Gazetteer," Volume Four, section on Shrines and Temples, mentions that civil and military officials of Kinmen were required to incense at Guanyin Pavilion on the first and fifteenth of each month and then announce the “sacred edict” in front of the temple. There are also plaques from the Jiaqing and Daoguang eras, and the information from these plaques shaped the collective belief of local officials, local gentry, and even devotees towards Ling Ji Temple (Guanyin Pavilion) starting from the Qianlong era and throughout the mid-Qing period.
