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Beside the Longtian Bicycle Path, there is a temple surrounded by ancient trees. The Kun Ci Hall, dedicated to Mother Queen Mother (Yaochi Jinmu), is the main place of worship here. It serves as both a central place of faith for the local residents and a gathering point for casual conversation. The Kun Ci Hall is particularly unique for its dual architecture combining Japanese shrine and Taoist temple styles. Its current site originally housed a Japanese colonial-era immigrant village shrine. It was also where Master Sheng Yen once lived and practiced. If you wish to understand Longtian Village's history, the Kun Ci Hall is an essential cultural destination to visit.
Witnessing the history of the Longtian immigrant village, the Lyuyeh Shrine located behind the Kun Ci Hall, was during the Japanese colonial period the spiritual center of Longtian Village. It enshrined the "Opening Deities" and Prince Kitashina-no-Miya Norihito, and traditional festivals such as the "Ritual of Prayers for a Bountiful Harvest" and "Taiwan Shrine Enthronement Day" were also held there annually. On important occasions, such as weddings or conscription into military service, grand ceremonies were performed at this shrine, making it the most important shrine in the Luoye district. After the end of the war, only a shrine base remained. In 2014, with the collaboration of Japanese artisans, the shrine was restored to its former glory. Featuring a modest torii gate and an intricately designed main hall, it offers visitors a sense of traveling to Japan, becoming a popular spot for photo-taking among travelers.
Chatting in the shade of the Tzu Chi Tree
After Taiwan's retrocession, the deities from the Luoye Shrine were returned to Japan. Subsequently, local residents began enshrining Guan Di, Mazu, and Queen Mother Yaochi in the former shrine site. The site's massive banyan tree and Indian beech tree, located in front of the hall, became a gathering spot for villagers to relax and converse. It is also the place where Master Sheng Yen, before his ordination, was once accompanied by his master to stay and practice in this temple area. The tree under which Master Sheng Yen once discussed Buddhist teachings with villagers was named the "Tzu Chi Tree" by the Tzu Chi Foundation, commemorating its significance as the first site where Master Sheng Yen practiced.