Xiuyuan Chan Temple. Xiuyuan Chan Temple in Yizhu Township, Chiayi County, located at 245-10 Liugui Village, primarily worships Xitian Jigong Living Buddha. Xiuyuan Chan Temple in Yizhu Township, Chiayi County, is located at 245-10 Liugui Village and primarily worships Xitian Jigong Living Buddha. Xitian Jigong Living Buddha is Namo Daxidachan Jigong Benshi, a golden-bodied Arhat from "Xitian" (Western Heaven), who was born in the 18th year of Shaoxing (1148 AD) during the Southern Song Dynasty in Tiantai County, Zhejiang. A long time ago (the exact year is unknown), a carpenter named Yao from Hangzhou went to Singapore in Southeast Asia to make a living. To ensure safety and success, he respectfully brought a golden statue of Jigong to Singapore and set up an altar for worship. Towards the end of World War II, four men who were conscripted by Japan to be military laborers in Singapore—Wang Rende from Xigang, Zhang Taofan from Huwei, and Weng Jintian and Weng Guojing from Yizhu—often visited the local Jigong altar to worship and pray for protection. They vowed that if they could return home safely, they would bring the golden statue of Jigong back to Taiwan for worship. After World War II ended in September 1945, they brought Jigong back to Taiwan on the 8th day of the 12th lunar month of the same year and temporarily enshrined him in Wang Rende's home. After several spirit medium sessions, Jigong possessed Weng Yaobo and indicated the character "Jing" (井) as the location for his descent. The character "Kou" (口) within "Jing" (井) represented the central point of Xigang, Yizhu, and Huwei. Therefore, it was decided that Jigong would descend in Yizhu. He also instructed that the temple be named "Xiuyuan" (修緣) after his secular name and specified that a Dharma assembly be held annually on the date of his arrival in Taiwan to pray for blessings, deliver salvation, and resolve difficulties for devotees. Xiuyuan Chan Temple has undergone several expansions to reach its current scale, occupying an area of 780 ping (approximately 2,578 square meters) and built in a Song Dynasty-inspired architectural style.
Address: 嘉義縣義竹鄉嘉義縣義竹鄉六桂村245之10號
Hours: 00:00–23:59
Chiayi County