The Legend of Tiaomi Temple

Next to step 360 of the Tiaomi Trail, there is a public temple which dates back to the era of the (Qing dynasty) Daoguang's reign. At that time, a laurel tree stood next to the temple. It is said that nine farmhands swore themselves as brothers beneath the laurel tree, and made an oath that each time they passed the tree carrying their rice, they would leave a bowl of rice to serve as a construction fund for the temple. Over time, as a trickle becomes a flood, these 'funds' accumulated and the temple was finally built, and this was how the Tiaomi Temple came to be.

 

 

The Tiaomi Temple used to be just a small temple. During the Japanese colonial rule era, many people came here to escape air raids. They would vow before the Tiaomi Temple, that should they be able to safely escape the bombings and return home, they would definitely come back here again and pay their respects to the temple. Just as they hoped, they were all able to escaped unharmed, and the Tiaomi Temple was then expanded, and the scent of incense filled the air more than ever.

 

It is said that in 1983, a woman taking shelter from the rain under the laurel tree, came to feel concerned that the temple seemed too crude and dull. That night, she had dream in which the Land God came to her for her, asking for help in renovating the little temple. After she related this dream to her neighbors, the village elders began donating money for the temple's renovation. Renovations were completed in 1987, bringing the temple to its present-day appearance. But sadly, the old laurel tree that once stood at temple's side has already withered and died. Today, we can see only a circular mark in the cement on the ground where the laurel tree stood.

 

However, though the laurel tree has already collapsed, fortunately we saw it in photos on the blog of Mr.Tony Huang Yu-zhi, and Mr. Huang also generously allowed me to use the photos, so we can now see the original appearance of the tree, and let that take us back into the history of the Tiaomi Trail.

 

At the side of the Tiaomi Temple, a circular mark in the cement indicates where the laurel tree once stood.

 

Today, the Tiaomi Temple is surrounded by a rain shelter.

 

The Tiaomi Temple also has a door number. Wonder if the postman has ever climbed the 360 steps to deliver a letter here?