Bangka Longshan Temple (艋舺龍山寺) is one of the more famous temples in Taiwan, the other being Xingtian Temple. While I had been to the temple back in 2014, it was really just walking past and not stepping in for a closer look!
Since we had some time to spare on the last day of our trip in 2023, let's pop by after breakfast at Grand Sheraton Hotel. While the temple had origins dating back to 1700s, the current structure was rebuilt after World War 2.
Listed as Taiwan's National Historic Site in 2018, an interesting fact was that it is the first temple in Taiwan to ban incense burning for environmental consideration, although it's an easy way to earn money from devotees by sell incense sticks to them.
Man made waterfall and pond said to purify your souls before stepping into the temple proper. I think the sounds of water also helped to soothe the soul.
Going in by the side of the temple.
Oh, a free audio guide for visitors!
Available in both Mandarin and English.
We came at just the right time as the prayers were in session.
This attracted a lot of local devotees, as they chanted together.
Front hall where offerings like fresh fruits were placed.
I ever saw a pack of essenso coffee on the long table!
Divination sticks and moon blocks used in Taoist and some Buddhist temples. Usage is superstitious yet interesting; if we want to solicit divine guidance from the deities, we can randomly pick a stick from the metal container and use two moon blocks to "confirm" if that's the correct stick meant for us.
Hm... was this the bell tower or the drum tower?
Typical colourful designs on the roofs but there's something unique; the ceramic fragments were made elongated which stretched out the details, for example, the fur on the lions, the feathers of the bird!
Their flower offerings were of another level compared to Singapore. For us, it was just a simple bouquet of flowers that might cost only about S$4 or lesser. What I encountered at Longshan Temple were flower baskets!
Centre Hall, which houses the patron deity.
And also the main area for prayers.
I was wondering what this statue was for. Turned out it was a brass "replica of a sculpted work "The Buddha Comes from the Mountains. The original one "was carved from cherry wood, but got destroyed in a U.S. air raid".
View from Centre Hall towards Front Hall.
Even though I do understand Chinese characters, I don't get the deeper, profound meeting when the words were all strung up! Can only say I am a failed Buddhist.
Singles who wish to get hitched must pray in front of this deity! Known as the god of marriage and love, Chinese has been praying to him for centuries!
What comes after love and marriage?! Descendents of course! And if you have been trying for a kid for a long time, why not consider praying to the fertility goddess, 註生娘娘?
Lord of the Three Realms, whom I have never heard of. To be frank, there are just too many deities in Taoism and Buddhism and I only remember who that appeared frequently in dramas I used to enjoy watching as a kid and teenager.
I am glad Bangka Longshan Temple placed information panels to educate visitors although they were in Chinese only. Nevertheless, you can find English translation via here.
Originally, I though Mazu, the sea goddess honored by many overseas Chinese communities, was the patron deity for the temple. She did have a presence though directly behind the Front Hall that houses the Goddess of Mercy.
Prayer wheels with names of individuals who wished to be blessed by the deities. What surprised me was that they even included address and date of birth; so much personal data!
Hua Tuo, the God of Medicine!
An intriguing deity; Great Kui the Star Prince who was known as the guardian of literary careers. Not all deities have the face of a human. Another example is Leizhenzi (雷震子), the thunder god.
The lanterns were all so huge!
And unlike some temples, they were not just red.
3D mural of a dragon and while I took a picture of the information panel to understand more, my poor grasp of language only made me confused. It seemed to explain the protector for each direction, and also the use of a specific porcelain. I could be wrong.
Fixed offering table that was unsheltered; this wouldn't be a norm in Singapore given our unpredictable weather! Like today, it was hot in the morning and by afternoon, a thunderstorm hit.
Side of Bangka Longshan Temple, which was still within the temple compounds.
The red bricked wall seemed popular for photo-taking!
Waterfall on one side, and a wishing pond on the other. The key challenge was to have your coin dropping into the stone cauldron under the water. I failed. :(
Ending the post with a video of the praying.
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Address
Taipei City, Taiwan 10853
Map
As above.
Website
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