FROM CEMETERY TO TEMPLE : Requiem for Spirits

從靈骨塔到寺廟：好兄弟鎮魂曲

Longquan Temple sits in Bihua Park, which is located at the end of Bihua Cloth Street. People can appreciate the magnificent architecture of the traditional Chinese Temple after strolling through Bihua Cloth Street.    

According to the records in Sanchong City Chronicles: “Longquan Temple (Shuiliu Gong Bone Pagoda) is located inside Bihua Park. In the early years, it was known as the Fenzitou Public Cemetery and has existed since the Qing Dynasty for over three hundred years. During the Japanese colonial period, as the cemetery was already occupied by bones, putting new bones was prohibited. In the 70th year of the Republic of China (1981), due to urban planning, the area was planned to be developed into a park. The site was then cleared of all ownerless graves. Because the cemetery existed for a long time, numerous ownerless remains were unearthed. A local kind-hearted person named Yang Jinbang donated one million New Taiwan Dollars to construct a bone pagoda on the site to enshrine these many unearthed ownerless souls. ” Because of Mr. Yang’s selfless contribution, Longquan Temple successfully transformed people’s impression of Bihua from an ominous place to one of the local religious centers. The main deity, Shuiliu Gong, always blesses the people here, protecting them from the disturbance of wandering spirits and wild ghosts. We can see that there are three words “Shuiliu Gong” engraved on the iron bars. 

Since the official completion of Longquan Palace Temple in the year 1997, every year on the 16th day of the seventh lunar month, which is the birthday of Shuiliu Gong, many of his devotees will donate money to invite opera troupes to perform “Gezaixi”  as an offering to express gratitude for Shuiliu Gong’s protection and blessings throughout the year . For example, Chen Mei-Yun Taiwanese Opera Troupe will present classic Taiwanese opera for worshipers. They can have fun appreciating Gezaixi with a compelling plot and the actors’ outstanding acting.

In addition to the main deity Shuiliu Gong, the temple also enshrines other deities, including Emperor Shen Nong , Emperor Bao Sheng , King of Kaitai , Xiahai Cheng Huang (City God of Xiahai), as well as Buddhist figures such as Shakyamuni Buddha , Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (Guanyin), Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva , and the civil and martial judges. 

Outside the main hall, there is a huge golden incense burner filled with numerous sticks of incense. This also indicates that the temple is flourishing with a lively and vibrant atmosphere, and the worship of deities is thriving. 

After paying respects to Shuiliu Gong, what about heading to the mango ice shop for some shaved ice with mango? Visitors can enjoy shaved ice with mango and discuss the intriguing plot of Taiwanese opera at the same time. I consider it the final destination to conclude a wonderful journey.

中文翻譯

龍全宮座落於碧華布街盡頭的碧華公園。在漫步碧華布街後，人們可以欣賞到這座傳統中國寺廟宏偉的建築。

根據《三重市志》記載：「龍全宮(水流公納骨塔)位於碧華公園內，早年為分子尾公墓，自乾隆時代即已存在，至今已三百餘年，日治時期因該墓園位置已滿，因而禁止埋葬。直到民國七十年因都市計畫，欲將該地闢建為公園，便開始清理該地所有無主之墳，由於墓園年代久遠，因此出土之無主骨骸甚多，當地的善心人士楊金榜，便捐獻了新台幣一百萬元，在該地興建納骨塔一座，收納這些眾多出土的無主孤魂以為奉祀。」因為楊先生的無私奉獻，龍全宮成功改變了人們對碧華的既定印象（從不祥之地到當地信仰中心之一），主神水流公總是在此保佑著居民，保護他們免受遊魂野鬼的干擾。我們可以看到「水流公」三字刻在廟的鐵窗上。

自從1997年龍全宮正式落成後，每年農曆七月十六日，也就是主神水流公的誕辰，許多信徒會捐錢請劇團來演出「歌仔戲」作為祭品，以表達對水流公一年來的保佑和祝福的感激之情。例如，陳美雲歌劇團將為信徒呈現經典的歌仔戲，人們可以欣賞歌仔戲扣人心弦的情節和演員的傑出演技。

除了主神水流公之外，寺廟還奉祀其他神明，包括神農大帝、保生大帝、開台王爺、霞海城隍，以及佛教神明，例如：釋迦牟尼佛、觀音菩薩、地藏王菩薩和文武判官。

在主殿外，有一個巨大的金色香爐，裝滿了許多香柱。這也顯示寺廟繁榮興盛，虔誠的供奉仍然盛行。

作者 Author：陳冠佑（Yoyo）

地址 Address ：新北市三重區溪尾街306號

No. 306, Xiwei St., Sanchong Dist., New Taipei City 241074, Taiwan (R.O.C.)