Yongfu Temple

Introduction to Master

The surname of Master was Chen and he was also known as Ying or Zhaoying with a courtesy name of Puzu. He became a Buddhist monk since he was little and he returned home after three years of completion. He was widely known for relieving the public in Gaotaishan and soon he moved to live in "Mazhan Convent," where he frequently donated charity for road and bridge repair and offered medicine and charm water. He healed people and became well known. The local people addressed him as "Mazhan Master" with respect.

In 1083, there was serious draught in Qingxi and the town people asked Master to pray for rain and it rained. The local people were grateful for his act and invited Master to live in Penglaishan and built a hut for him. Master observed the clear water in front of his hut and named it "Qingshuiyen." From then one, people addressed as Qingshui Master.

 

Legend of Master

There were many legends about Qingshui Master in people and we only describe one legend here. It was said that the mountain bandit cut the nose off the status of Master but was recovered and repaired by a monk. However the nose of Master would fall off automatically as warning for natural disaster and the status is hence known as "Master with Fallen Nose." One year, the Shimen town (known as New Taipei City today) people requested Zuzhi to visit Shimen and it was bustling with the drums and people along the way. When Master arrived to Shimen, the nose of Master fell off suddenly and people were telling each other about it. All town people were amazed and came to watch this incident. At this time, there was an earthquake and many houses collapsed. Since many town people came outside from the houses to watch the falling nose of Master, nobody was injured and this was passed down as a legend to prove the efficacy of Master's fallen nose.

   

History of Dingpu "Yongfu Temple"

In 1661, thirteen citizens, Shanshi Deng, Danshui Deng, and Xinquan Deng from Fujian Province Quanzhou Prefecture Anxi County cross the ocean and came to Taiwan to settle in this area for reclamation and cultivation. They carried the status of Master with them to worship and enshrine the status at the local area. Due to the desolate land of Taiwan at the time and the rising plaque of insects, the pioneers faced with difficulty in reclamation and were inspired to pray to Master for miracles, good weathering and harvest in cultivation. In 1963, Mr.  Lin,Xiong-Zhen from Banqiao Lin's Family offered land and started the construction of initial project of building the Yongfu Temple. The temple was named Yongfu and today the temple has undergone multiple renovations to become more majestic and solemn than the conditions back then.

Reference: Trajectory-The Past, Present and Future of Dingpu

   

Interview with Yongfu Temple Deputy Director-Mr. Deng,Jin-Tsai

Q: Why was the Yongfu Temple built in Dingpu area in the first place?  

A: Over hundred years ago, the status of Master was relocated but there was no big temple. This temple was built some 30 years ago and was later renovated.

   

Q: Is the Yongfu Temple related to Sanxia Master Temple?

A: Not really. Our Master (Status) was directly relocated from Anxi, China over one hundred years ago. However the status is the same on both temples. Sanxia Master came to Taiwan early than we did.

Q: Why do work in this position?

A: I was a committee member last year and this year I become the deputy director. I was born and raised near the temple so I am quite familiar with the temple. I have been helping out in the temple since little.

Q: Does the temple attract more followers after the opening of Dingpu Station?

A: Yes, many people from Taiwan take the MRT to visit here after the opening of the station. Since Dingpu is the final stop and we are very close to the MRT station, the environment is appealing while there are also signs in the MRT Station. So many people come visit the temple.

   

Q: Has any religious follower prayed for very special wish or has any particular incident taken place?

A: Definitely. Someone came to pray to Emperor Wenchang and was admitted to the National Taiwan University later. This student hired the puppet opera as acknowledgement of appreciation to the deity. Something peculiar also happened to me before. Once I was driving down from Zhonghe interchange but the transmission shaft of the car was broken. I prayed for the blessing from Master and then I drove back to the Danuan intersection here (about 300 meters from Yongfu Temple) and then my car stopped at the automobile repair garage. I did not have to get off the car and I directly asked the staff at the repair garage to help me handle my car.  (Wow!!) My friend also had a similar incidence. He is the follower of our temple and often comes to worship. Once he rode a scooter and got into accident with someone. His scooter was totally wrecked but he was safe physically.

Q: Which activity that has been held here impresses you the most?

A: It should be the most exciting pilgrimage activity. Our annual pilgrimage activity used to cover only two villages but now it covers 7 villages. Recently there was a line dancing activity while your school also comes here for chorus performance, aboriginal dance performance, and lantern exhibition.  

Q: Why do you worship so many deities?

A: We are the religious center in Great Dingpu area and so apart from the master Lord Yongfu, we also enshrine and worship the Bodhisattva worshipped by the average people, Emperor Wenchang worshipped by students and Holy Emperor Guan worshipped by business people.

Q:  Sometimes we see puppet opera or Taiwanese opera performance when we pass by Yongfu Temple. When do you usually hold the performance?  

A: We hold the Taiwanese opera three times a year, on January 6th of lunar calendar for the birthday of Master, one during the Ghost Festival for the deceased, and another one on October 14th in lunar calendar for the birthday of Baoyi Lord, where we also hold the pilgrimage activity. The puppet opera depends on the followers who appreciate the deity with favor and so does not have fixed schedule.

Q: Do you have future plans to cooperate with our school?

A: Yes. We can send people to attend your sports days such as Taichi Sword and Taichi Fans. This year we wanted to invite your school for performance at the Mid-Autumn Festival but it was also a holiday so we did not invite your school. We offer meals for elderly on the fourth Sunday of each month and we receive more than one hundred elderly for dining with us each time. We can also invite students from your school for performance and have fun with us.

We took a picture with Mr.Deng,Jin-Tsai