Lingji Temple (Guanyin Pavilion) Introduction
Lingji Temple, formerly known as Guanyin Pavilion and also called Lingji Ancient Temple, is located at the East Gate of Houpuzhen, near the national historic site of Qiu Lianggong's Mother's Filial Piety Arch. The temple faces northwest from the southeast, and the canal visible on the left side of the temple is a traditional waterway descending from Juguang Road, suggesting that Lingji Temple also serves the function of guarding the treasury like a water tail temple. The name Guanyin Pavilion originates from the main deity enshrined in the temple, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, which is why local villagers habitually refer to Lingji Temple as Guanyin Pavilion. The name "Lingji Ancient Temple" arises after Master Wei De became the abbot. The inscription on the newly established incense burner in front of the temple in the 57th year of the Republic of China is evident. Currently, the ridge of the Lingji Temple roof has a record from 1978, which mentions that the temple was originally founded in the 20th year of the Tang dynasty during the reign of Emperor Dezong in 804 AD, although there is no historical evidence to support that it was founded during the Tang dynasty. The current scale of construction of Lingji Temple (Guanyin Pavilion) is recorded by Qing historian Lin Kuanxuan in "Kinmen Gazetteer," stating that it was damaged by fire in the fourth year of Daoguang's reign in the Qing dynasty and was subsequently rebuilt with donations encouraged by local resident Lin Junyuan. During the Republic of China period, the temple underwent several repairs, and the Kuomintang government used the worship pavilion space. The most significant alteration appears to be the construction of the Bell and Drum Tower overseen by Master Wei De in the 67th year of the Republic of China, along with subsequent relevant repairs. Inside the worship pavilion and main hall of Lingji Temple (Guanyin Pavilion), many Qing dynasty plaques can be seen, indicating the importance placed on the temple during that period. Additionally, in volume four of Lin Kuanxuan's "Kinmen Gazetteer," it is mentioned that officials in Kinmen were required to offer incense at Guanyin Pavilion on the first and fifteenth day of each month and then pronounce the "Holy Edict" in front of the temple. There are also plaques from the Jiaqing and Daoguang periods, and the information on these plaques has shaped the common belief of local officials, gentry, and even devotees in Lingji Temple (Guanyin Pavilion) starting from the Qianlong era and through the mid-Qing dynasty.
