Features of the Temple

Fude Temple on Dianzai Street is not only the first temple in Yonghe that is more than 100 years old, but also the center of religion for the locals. Besides Earth God, there are also Wenchang Dijun (God of Wisdom), Tianshang Shengmu (Mazu), and other deities that are common in Taiwan. The temple does have its unique characteristic.

The Solitary Huye (Tiger God)

There is a small piece of elevated land, called ‘the land of blessing’ by the locals, and it is believed to be where the Earth God at Fude Temple on Dianzai Street originated. Legend has it that this small piece of land had never flooded due to its uncanny resemblance to a turtle’s shell. The land is now where Huye resides. Most Fude temples place Huye under the altar. However, in 1990, Mr. Lin Zonglai dreamt that Huye told him the piece of land at the rear of Fude temple is an auspicious spot that could cumulate wealth. He then donated the land to the temple and built a temple for Huye. In 2017, the temple was renovated due to re-piping of the sewage system, Huye was then placed on top of the altar.

｜Photo: The Wondrous Temple Expedition ｜

The first Earth God to have a wife

According to local elderly, the Earth God residing at Fude Temple on Dianzai Street was the first Earth God in Taiwan to have a wife. Its history may trace back more than three hundred years.

Earth God with a young boy

Fude Temple on Dianzai Street has a special Earth God. He does not have a cane in his hand like most Earth Gods do. Instead, he holds hand with a young boy. This Earth God with a young boy originally resided at the temple on Dongyuan Street twenty years ago. It was forced to relocate after a new road was to be built. Followers obeyed the Earth God’s wish of moving in with the Earth God at Fude Temple on Dianzai Street. The Earth God with a young boy brought gold medals and thousands of dollars in cash to share the temple on Dianzai Street. Earth God and his wife agreed to the move-in request, and that’s why the Earth God with a young boy has been part of the deity at Fude Temple on Dianzai Street. The young boy has a gold nugget in his hand to symbolize babies and wealth.

Earth God that takes care of non-locals

Most Earth Gods protect people living in the area where the temple resides. Since most followers of the Earth God at Fude Temple on Dianzai Street are non-local business travelers, it is said that Dianzai Street Earth God takes good care of travelers from abroad.

Going Green

Replace offering paper money with rice

｜Photo: The Wondrous Temple Expedition ｜Starting 2017, in compliance with the government’s initiative to cut down carbon emission, the temple began replacing the burning of paper money with donating rice. The removal of furnace reduced smog that came with the burning of paper money. Rice donated by followers was used to help disadvantaged groups. If followers insisted on burning paper money, the temple would collect the paper money and then send it to designated center for incineration.

Reduce the burning of incense

｜Photo: The Wondrous Temple Expedition ｜

In addition to eliminating the burning of paper money, the temple also reduced the number of incense burners from seven to five. Followers would pray with one incense stick per incense burner, down from three sticks per burner. This move is aimed to reduce air pollution.

Helping with charity

Fude Temple on Dianzai Street has a strong followership. In order to promote Earth God’s spirit of helping others with good deeds, the temple has been channeling donations from followers into charitable events. For example, besides helping disadvantaged locals and people who are in need of immediate help, the temple has also established scholarship and emergency funds at numerous local schools. If there is a more immediate need for help, the temple will provide assistance to the best of its ability.

Source Text: The Wondrous Temple Expedition｜Photos: The Wondrous Temple Expedition