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Guansheng Dijun(Guan Yu)
｜Photo: The Wondrous Temple Expedition｜
At Fude Temple on Dianzai Street, there is a dark-red faced deity named Guansheng Dijun residing next to Earth God. Guansheng Dijun is Guan Yu from the Three Kingdoms period, also known as Guan Gong. Guan Yu is worshipped by different trade professions because he is also known as a god of wealth. In Buddhism, Guan Yu is known as Sangharama Bodhisattva, which means protector. On the second floor of the temple, there is a statue of Sangharama Bodhisattva.
Guansheng Dijun is worshipped at many temples all over Taiwan, and Xingtien Temple is the most famous temple with Guansheng Dijun as the primary deity.
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Fun Facts
｜Photo: The Wondrous Temple Expedition｜
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Guansheng Dijun was the most famous Chinese historic figure who was deified after his death. He was known for his loyalty and righteousness, so he was praised widely by the people. As a result, after he was deified, he was given the title ‘Di,’ or emperor, as a formal recognition.
Guanshen Dijun is also a deity in Taoism. Guansheng Dijun is his title in Taoism, and Sangharama Bodhisattva is his title in Buddhism. The name Sangharama Bodhisattva means protector, and this title was added after Song Dynasty. Statues of Sangharama Bodhisattva as temple protectors were modeled after Guan Yu, and they are common in Taiwanese temples, even at Fude Temple on Dianzai Street.
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Text and pictures: Linus Yeh｜Photo: The Wondrous Temple Expedition｜Reference: Museum of Hakka Folk Beliefs
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