Chaotian Temple
Encyclopedia
The Chaotian Temple at Beigang
, Yunlin County
, Taiwan
, is dedicated to the deity Mazu
, the goddess of the sea. Constructed in 1694, it became one of the most important Mazu temples in Taiwan and is known for its extravagant temple architecture. It is visited by more than a million pilgrims every year.
, Fujian
, to Taiwan. In 1700 a Buddhist donated and raised funds to renovate the small temple. Six years later, in 1700, a Buddhist by the name of Chen Li-Shum donated building lot of the temple and raise funds to renovate the ragged small temple. The renovated temple was raised to the "Heavenly Queen Temple". In 1730 the temple was further expanded and became "Penkang Heavenly Queen Temple".
In 1770, Penkang Magistrate Hsueh Chao-heng considered that the temple too simple to live up to the dignity of Goddess Matsu. Three years later the reconstruction of the temple started. In 1854 a number of ranking officials initiated the project for expansion of the Temple into a palace-type architectural complex. The front wing consisted of worship courtyard andeast and west chambers. The second wing was for worship of the Heavenly Mother, third wing for Goddess of mercy; east wing for San-Kuan Heavenly Emperors, west wing for Wenchang God, the 4th wing for Goddess Matsu's parents; east wing for Goddess of Childgiving and west wing, Lang God. Several renovation followed in the 20th century.
.
Beigang, Yunlin
Beigang is a township in Yunlin County, Taiwan. The Beigang River is surrounding the East and South borders of the town.-Sights:...
, Yunlin County
Yunlin County
Yunlin County is a county in the western part of Taiwan, the Republic of China. Yunlin is located to the right of the Taiwan Strait, the east of Nantou County and sharing a border with Changhua County divided by the Zhuoshui River. Yunlin is one of the counties of Taiwan that is part of the Chianan...
, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, is dedicated to the deity Mazu
Mazu
Mazu may refer to the following Chinese topics:* Mazu , deity in South China and Taiwan* Mazu Daoyi , Zen teacher in medieval China* Matsu Islands, administrative region of the Republic of China...
, the goddess of the sea. Constructed in 1694, it became one of the most important Mazu temples in Taiwan and is known for its extravagant temple architecture. It is visited by more than a million pilgrims every year.
Mazu and Taiwan
Mazu, the goddess of the sea, has ever been important to Taiwanese people, because living on an island makes the population dependent on the sea. Beigang was one of the most important Taiwanese ports in the 17th century. As Beigang and its economy grew, at the same time the temple grew and expanded. Today the Chaotian Temple at Beigang is an important religious site and pilgrimage destination. Beigang's Mazu tours to other Mazu temples through whole Taiwan every year for visits and inspections.History
In 1694 a monk brought Goddess Mazu from her home temple Chaotian Temple at MeizhouMeizhou
-Administration:The municipal government, Intermediate Court and CPC and PSB bureaux are housed in the district of Jiangnan , on the right bank of Meijiang River.A second district of Meizhou is Jiangbei , on the left bank...
, Fujian
Fujian
' , formerly romanised as Fukien or Huguing or Foukien, is a province on the southeast coast of mainland China. Fujian is bordered by Zhejiang to the north, Jiangxi to the west, and Guangdong to the south. Taiwan lies to the east, across the Taiwan Strait...
, to Taiwan. In 1700 a Buddhist donated and raised funds to renovate the small temple. Six years later, in 1700, a Buddhist by the name of Chen Li-Shum donated building lot of the temple and raise funds to renovate the ragged small temple. The renovated temple was raised to the "Heavenly Queen Temple". In 1730 the temple was further expanded and became "Penkang Heavenly Queen Temple".
In 1770, Penkang Magistrate Hsueh Chao-heng considered that the temple too simple to live up to the dignity of Goddess Matsu. Three years later the reconstruction of the temple started. In 1854 a number of ranking officials initiated the project for expansion of the Temple into a palace-type architectural complex. The front wing consisted of worship courtyard andeast and west chambers. The second wing was for worship of the Heavenly Mother, third wing for Goddess of mercy; east wing for San-Kuan Heavenly Emperors, west wing for Wenchang God, the 4th wing for Goddess Matsu's parents; east wing for Goddess of Childgiving and west wing, Lang God. Several renovation followed in the 20th century.
Beigang Wind Orchestra
The Beigang Wind Orchestra was founded in 1928 by Chen Chia-Hu. On spiritual days the orchestra marches for the Chaotian temple.Cultural activities
The Chaotian Temple also owns a cultural hall, where concert, dances and other activities take place. On top of the building is a statue of Mazu. The Chaotian Temple also sponsors events like the Beigang International Music FestivalBeigang International Music Festival
The Beigang International Music Festival is a project of the "Beigang Philharmonic Association" and takes place in Beigang, Yunlin County, Taiwan. Since its inception in 2006, the festival has grown and developed to become the biggest international music festival in Yunlin County...
.