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Founding Year : 1865
God Worshipped : Guanyin Bodhisattva (Birth date : February 19)
Religion : Buddhism
Relic Classification : Listed by the Taipei Municipal Gov't as a historical relic
Location : No. 19, 21, 23, Han-kou St, Wanhua District, Taipei
Phone : (02) 23712442
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As to when the Tzu-yin Shih was founded, there are two different records:
According to the On Moun-gar's Temples by Lie Ken-yuan, the Temple was founded in 1840; however, according to the Tamsui-ting Chi (Annals of the Department of Tamsui), it was set up in 1865, which the present writer also believes. Originally set up around the present-day Kungding Road and Ya-chiang Street nearby the Fourth Watergate, the Temple was later moved to the present site due to fire frequently broke out in the original area. On July 11, 2000, the Taipei Municipal Government listed it as a historical relic.
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Guanyin Bodhisattva is noted as a Goddess of Mercy who saves people from hardships and difficulties. According to studies, in China the Guanyin Bodhisattva Statue before the Tang dynasty was in the form of male Buddha.
It's not until after the Tang dynasty that a female Guanyin Bodhisattva came into being because at that time in the Chinese secular society already existed a Guanyin Bodhisattva who was very merciful and compassionate. She was called Miao-ying, the third daughter of King Miao Chuang. From then on, that Guanyin is a female has been deep-rooted in Chinese religion. Therefore, whether Guanyin is a male or female is not important, the point is that Guanyin has become a figure that helps humankind overcome all difficulties.
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