The Legend of the Flying Marble Slabs of Chao-Feng Temple
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It is said that the roof of Chao-Feng Temple atop Dagang Mountain in Kaohsiung was constructed with flying marble slabs. The event occurred during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. The Qing Dynasty sent Jiang Yun-xun to Taiwan to serve as the magistrate of Gangshan. Jiang was impressed by the beautiful scenery of Dagang Mountain and decided to develop the mountain.
His advisor told him, “The mountain roads are difficult to traverse. This is why only a few people climb this mountain. However, the locals are devout Buddhists. If you build a temple on the top of the mountain, they are sure to come and pay their respects. Then, this region will slowly begin to develop.”Jiang Yun-xun thought this suggestion to be a very sound one, so he had a craftsman estimate the required cost in terms of labor, time and money. The craftsman replied, “This mountain isn’t very tall, but the way there is hard to traverse. Therefore, carrying essential building materials such as slabs and bricks to the top of the mountain will take a lot of time.”And so, the plan to build the temple was postponed.
However, two weeks later, rumors started spreading among the locals.“The Goddess of Mercy has appeared on the peak of Dagang Mountain !”Upon hearing this rumor, Jiang Yun-xun got an idea.He began to spread the rumor“On the day after tomorrow, the Goddess of Mercy will appear again on the peak of Dagang Mountain at noon. I hear that bricks and slabs will fly to the mountain peak. Those who come to witness the miracle shall be blessed with longevity. However, those who intend to climb the mountain on that day have to carry two bricks and two slabs to avoid danger.”On the morning of said day, the narrow path leading toward the peak of the mountain was full of people, and by noon, the top of the mountain was crowded with people.
Everyone wondered“Why hasn’t the Goddess of Mercy appeared yet? And where are the flying bricks and slabs?”The magistrate, Jiang, then appeared and said, “The Goddess of Mercy has indeed worked a miracle. Thanks to everyone’s help, the bricks and slabs needed to build the temple have arrived here from all directions.”Everyone realized what happened. Shortly after, the temple was constructed. And Jiang himself named the temple “Chao-Feng Temple”.
