Travel Date: 2018/08/08
Fufudingshan Shell Temple (富福頂山寺)
The Fufudingshan Shell Temple in the mountains of Taipei is truly a unique and special place. The entire temple is constructed using shells and corals, resembling an underwater palace. Despite being located not close to sea, it's about 20 minutes away drive, but the temple showcases the beauty of marine elements.
Upon arrival, the exterior of the temple may give the impression of an old building, with plenty of parking space. It's only when you head uphill to the temple's entrance that its uniqueness becomes apparent. Due to its secluded location, the temple may not be widely known, resulting in relatively few visitors.
Asking my Taiwanese husband and his friends, no one heard about shell temple in Taipei before.
The temple itself is an architectural marvel, built with hundreds of corals and over 60,000 shells. It was completed in 1996 after two years of construction, but it's not the only shell temple in Taiwan! There is also one in Changhua - Sanqing Sanyuan Palace Shell Temple.
At the entrance, you will find two dragon-headed marine turtles guarding the doorway, which is an unconventional feature. Traditionally, a pair of lions is placed at the entrance of temples.
Inside the main room, there is a large sycee (yuanbao) that visitors can rub for good fortune. Sycee was a type of silver or gold currency used during the Qing Dynasty. Since sycee were not standardized by a central bank, they came in various shapes and sizes. Square or oval shapes were common, but there were also boat, flower, and tortoise-shaped sycee. Today, sycee symbolize wealth and prosperity and are often used during Lunar New Year celebrations.
One of the intriguing features of the temple is a tunnel made entirely of shells. Before entering the tunnel, it's customary to burn incense and drink a jug of wine, representing the fondness for wine of Ji Gong, the primary deity of the temple. Ji Gong is said to have appeared in the abbot's dream, instructing him to build a temple resembling a majestic underwater palace. According to legend, Ji Gong was imprisoned in an underwater palace and was captivated by the beauty of the underwater world even after his release. The temple also pays homage to multiple Bodhisattvas and the Eighteen Arhats. Arhats are Buddhist practitioners who have attained a state where reincarnation is no longer necessary, and Nirvana awaits.
There is also a small shop offering various handicrafts made from shells, some of which are truly beautiful. Outside the temple, visitors can also purchase goods and try soup and noodles prepared for temple guests. While the food is provided free of charge, it's customary to make a small donation.
The Fufudingshan Shell Temple is truly a one-of-a-kind destination that showcases the creativity and artistry of incorporating natural elements into a sacred space.
See also: Changhua Shell Temple
See also: Kaohsiung Stone Temple
Wow! It's really amazing, but I using coral isn't good, already many reefs are dead.
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