Lungshan Temple of Manka 艋舺龍山寺 |
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Location | Wanhua District, Taipei, Taiwan |
Built | 1738 |
Built for | Chinese folk deities, including Guanyin, Mazu, and Guan Yu. |
Rebuilt | 1919–1924 |
Lungshan Temple of Manka | |||||||
Traditional Chinese | |||||||
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Transcriptions | |
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Southern Min | |
Hokkien POJ | Báng-kah Liông-san-sī |
Lungshan Temple of Manka is a Buddhist temple in Wanhua District, Taipei, Taiwan. The temple was built in Taipei in 1738 by settlers from Fujian during Qing rule in honor of Guanyin. It served as a place of worship and a gathering place for the Chinese settlers. In addition to its Buddhist elements, it includes halls and altars to Chinese deities such as Mazu and Guan Yu.
This temple originated its name from the ancient Lungshan Temple established in Chin-chiang county of Fukien province in the seventh century. Immigrants from the three counties Chin-chiang, Nan-an and Hui-an of Fukien came to Manka in the beginning of the eighteenth century. As they were pious followers of that ancient Lungshan Temple in their home town, they erected this one as a branch temple at Manka and named it after the root temple when they created a new settlement here in Taipei. Lungshan Temple of today is no longer in the original buildings constructed in 1738. It was rebuilt in 1919 and completed in 1924.
The temple has been destroyed either in full or in part in numerous earthquakes and fires but Taipei residents have consistently rebuilt and renovated it. The temple was rebuilt during Japanese rule. Most recently, it was hit by American bombers during the Taihoku Air Raid on May 31, 1945, during World War II because the Japanese were reportedly hiding armaments there. The main building and the left corridor were damaged and many precious artifacts and artworks were lost. It was rebuilt after the end of World War II a few months later.
Lungshan Temple is seen as an emblematic example of Taiwanese classical architecture, with Southern Chinese influences commonly seen in older buildings.