Buzz
Renowned for its sanctity, it's no wonder that Long Son Pagoda sees a large influx of worshippers on New Year's Day, full moon days, or the first day of the lunar month.
Tranquil Spring Mornings at Long Son Pagoda
Long Son Pagoda, located in the Van Hoa area of Taipei City, is the most renowned temple in Taiwan. Exiting the subway and following the crowd above ground, you can immediately spot the pagoda across the street. Many people stand in awe from this side of the street before stepping into one of Taiwan's most famous and sacred landmarks.
Long Son Pagoda goes by many names: Long Son Van Hoa Pagoda or Long Son Manh Giap Pagoda… It was built in 1738, during the reign of Emperor Càn Long of the Qing Dynasty, primarily dedicated to the Bodhisattva Quan The Am. Over its 270-year history, the pagoda has undergone numerous renovations but still retains its original structure. The present pagoda was rebuilt in the early 1900s with a combination of Buddhist and Taoist elements. During World War II, the main hall of Long Son Pagoda was hit by bombs, and the main sanctuary was destroyed by fire, yet the main deity in the pagoda – Quan The Am Bodhisattva – remained completely unharmed, further enhancing the reverence of Buddhist followers.
Long Son Pagoda is constructed in the traditional Chinese architectural style of the H-shaped layout. To enter the interior, one must pass through three consecutively decorated gates leading into the inner courtyard paved with old cobblestones brought by the ships that once carried immigrants to the city. Right at the entrance gate is a cool waterfall flowing day and night, and 165 stunning statues with intricate carvings adorn the door frames and elaborate figures grace the pagoda's roof.
Sacredness of the temple draws crowds, especially on auspicious days like full moons and the first day of the lunar month. Its stunning beauty and reputation as the most beautiful temple in Taiwan make it a must-visit destination, hence the influx of tourists and photographers. On significant days, the temple becomes even more crowded, yet the crowds move astonishingly orderly and quietly, maintaining the solemn atmosphere.
Passing through intricately carved gates, visitors enter the spacious main hall where locals often bring offerings and seek fortune-telling for the new year. Incense sticks are available for free, with each person allowed up to 3. Lighting incense follows a sequential queue rather than crowding. Visitors can shuffle a deck of cards, view their fortune, and then proceed to collect their card number automatically. For those seeking interpretations of their fortune for the new year, there are readers available at the right exit or lucky items such as Buddha figurines can be purchased for merit-making, replacing the non-existent merit boxes elsewhere in the temple.
The intense fragrance of incense blends with the scent of orchids amidst the dampness of the rainy season, mist swirling around. Along the veranda where many people sit and linger, visitors can let their minds settle for a moment and relieve their tired feet. No one speaks to each other; each pursues their own thoughts. The fragrance warms the place, or perhaps it's the atmosphere that warms the hearts.
Surrounding Long Son Temple are numerous vegetarian food stalls and shops selling religious items. Not far away are two local night markets with many Chinese-style products. Therefore, when visiting this temple, take some time to explore the surrounding area.
Directions:
To reach Long Son Temple, choose Longshan Temple station as your subway destination, exit from gate 3, which is very convenient and easy. The temple is open from 7:00 AM to 9:30 PM and admission is completely free. Note: dress respectfully when entering this sacred place.
As per Spiritual Path/Star
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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour
MytourFebruary 6, 2018
