aeeble

Yonglian Temple, with its architectural complex located at the intersection of Decheng Street and Chenggong Street in the center of Luzhou District, is called "Yonglian" because the site is considered a "lotus cave." In the past, Luzhou was also known as "Shangren Cuo," because the land was once managed by monks, and thus it was also called "Shangren Zhou." The main hall enshrines the sacred image of the Buddha Guanyin from the South Sea, accompanied by the deities Shancai, Longnü, Wutou, and the guardian deity Jialan. It serves as the central place of worship for the local community. The entire building is a combined temple form of the Yonglian Temple in the front half and the Maode Temple in the back half. The Yonglian Temple uses techniques such as paper-cloth mosaic, painting, wood carving, and stone carving for its interior and exterior decorations. The most distinctive technique is the number of flying musicians brackets, which is rare in other temples. In front of the rear hall of the Maode Temple, there is a bronze relief sculpture covering the entire wall, mainly depicting the historical stories of Zheng Chenggong. This is a modern style of large-scale bronze relief decoration. On both sides of the temple gate stand two Buddhist guardian deities. The one on the left holds a staff, and the one on the right holds a spear and a pagoda. They are nearly ten feet tall. Yonglian Temple originally was just a small thatched hut, but within ten years, it had already undergone reconstruction and, after four renovations, became the present magnificent temple complex. Every year, from the 17th to the 19th day of the ninth lunar month, which is commonly known as the "Buddha's Enlightenment Memorial Day," Yonglian Temple holds a grand celebration. Especially on the 18th day of the ninth lunar month, there is a temple procession, commonly known as the "Luzhou Great Festival," during which temple associations from all over participate, making it a lively local event every year.