Lukang Longshan Temple

 Address:Geographical location : No.81, Jinmen St., Lukang Township, Changhua County Longitude : 120.434930662828, Latitude : 24.0503663870995
 Subject:AssetClassification : Historic Monument, AssetsLevel : National Historic Monument, Asset Type : Temple

【Audio】


【Introduction】

Longshan Temple, originally a small temple, is dedicated to the worship of Guanyin or the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion. In 1786 (the 51st year of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing dynasty) the temple was relocated to its present site, where Corps Commander Chen Guangbang and the local townspeople started construction of the temple building. In 1829, Lin Tingzhang, a descendant of Rimaohang Trading House passed the triennial provincial exam, and he gathered with eight local trade guilds to lead a renovation project for the temple. The renovation was completed in 1831, which provided a foundation for the temple's present-day layout. The Temple is a seven-bay square structure featuring a Sanmon (a type of two-storied gate usually stands between the outer gate and the main hall), three halls and two corridors. Granite columns with coiled-dragon sculptures stand under the roof eaves of the front hall. The ascending and descending dragons complement each other on the left and right. Meticulously carved with vigorousness, the columns are rare gems of stone sculpture. From the rear of the front hall overhangs an opera stage with a layered gable-on-hip roof. An octagonal caisson ceiling or spider web ceiling drapes over the stage, and is decorated with exquisite patterns of paintings displaying its structural definitude. For the main hall a layered gable-on-hip roof design is employed, and an obeisance hall is located in the front. Similar to the Front Hall, there are two columns with coiled-dragon sculptures under the roof eaves. The columns were added during the renovation in 1852. The designs shown on these columns are even more exquisite than those of the front hall. A bell, cast in 1859 in the Ningbo area of Zhejiang Province, is installed in the left corridor. The rear hall was once destroyed in a fire in 1921 and was rebuilt in 1936 and completed in 1938. An image of Amitābha is enshrined here. During the 921 Earthquake in 1999, Longshan Temple was severely damaged. A corporation in Lukang, Pou Chen Group, made donations for repairs to the temple. This clearly exemplifies how private citizens can be involved in preserving the nation’s cultural assets. This is a shining testament to the importance of community involvement in a society.

 

【Comments】