Banka Lungshan Temple, Taipei, Taiwan is amazing Buddhist Temple for Buddhist’s World. Banka was renamed “Wanhua” in accordance with the Japanese pronunciation of the term as an adjustment by the administration system during the Japanese rule. Originally, it was the transliteration of “Banka,” which is in the Ketagalan language of the Pingpu tribe, meaning canoe. At the time, the folks of the Pingpu tribe sailed along the Danshui River on canoes to transport sweet potatoes and other farm produce in order to trade with the Han Chinese.

In the past, the Han Chinese migrated to and explored Taiwan by sailing across the Taiwan Strait. The waves were strong and the torrents were great at sea. From time to time, shipwrecks occurred. In addition, Taiwan was an unexplored and nasty place with a dangerous environment. In 1709 (during the reign of Emperor Kangxi), Chen, Lai, Zhang Exploration Company, formed by people from three counties in Quanzhou (namely Jinan, Nanan and Huian) and Tongan, obtained a permit from the government to explore the island. They began to explore the Taipei Basin systematically. Later on, people from the three other counties migrated to Taiwan as well. Along with them, they carried the incense pouch from the temple of their hometown to seek the deities’ blessings. Gradually, a settlement was formed in Banka. In 1738 (the reign of Emperor Qianlong), they requested the Guanyin Bodhisattva of the Lungshan Temple in Jinan, Fujian to divide her spirit then they carried it to Taiwan. Worshippers raised funds to build the Banka Lungshan Temple.

The Banka Lungshan Temple was refurbished in 1815 (the reign of Emperor Jiaqing) after a major earthquake. In 1867 (the reign of Emperor Tongzhi), it was refurbished again after it was damaged by a rainstorm. In 1919 (the reign of Taisho of Japan), the beams and pillars were eaten by termites, so Monk Fuzhi, abbot of the temple, raised funds to rebuild the temple. He took the lead and donated all of his savings, about 7000 dollars, to rebuild it. This helped shape the look of the Lungshan Temple that we have now. In 1945, the temple was damaged during WWII and the Main hall was totally ruined. However, the statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva was still sitting on the lotus seat solemnly. In the past, when there was an air raid, people would seek refuge under the goddess’s lotus seat. Since then, the goddess’ power and grace became known to people. The motifs of the engravings were mainly taken from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Investiture of the Gods.

Banka Lungshan Temple current president is Dr. Steven S. W. Huang, President of Lung Shan temple of Taiwan & Vice President of World Fellowship of Buddhists. He is the Professor of Chinese Cultural University, Taiwan. National Parliament and Congressman of Taiwan for 10 years. Banka Lungshan Temple includes, Guanyin Bodhisattva / Mañjuśrī / Samantabhadra / Skanda / Samghārāma / Eighteen Arhats / Da Kui Xingjun / Wenchang Dijun / Ma Ye / Ziyang Fuzi / Fudezhengshen / Chenghuang Ye / Long Ye / Shuixian Zunwang / Taiyang Xingjun / Tianshang Shengmu / Taiyin Xingjun / Zhusheng Niang Niang / Chitou Furen / Shier Pozhe / Sanguan Dadi / Guan Sheng Di Jun / Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva / Yuelao Shenjun / Huatuo Xianshi.

艋舺，於日治時期的改正制度中以同音日本語改寫成「萬華」，原為平埔族凱達格蘭語Banka的音譯，意為獨木舟，乃當時平埔族人以獨木舟自淡水河上游載運蕃薯等農產品與漢人交易因而稱之。昔漢人至臺拓墾，乘船渡越臺灣海峽，其風浪強勁，海流湍急，時有翻船喪生變故，加上早期臺灣北部乃一未開發蠻煙瘴癘之地，環境險惡。清康熙48年（西元1709年），由泉州三邑人（晉江、南安、惠安三縣合稱三邑）及同安人共同組成的「陳賴章墾號」取得官方許可，有組織的開墾臺北盆地後，陸續有其他三邑人士渡海來此，並攜帶原鄉廟宇香火袋以祈神佑。在艋舺地區漸成聚落後，於乾隆3年（1738）迎請福建省晉江縣安海龍山寺觀世音菩薩分靈，合資興建艋舺龍山寺

正殿屋頂則採歇山重簷式，四面走馬廊共四十二根柱子構成，殿外牆堵留有多幅著名書法家石刻；殿內的螺旋藻井不費一釘一鐵，全由斗栱相嵌築構而成。後殿屋頂亦為歇山重簷式，兩翼為硬山單簷，屋脊為財子壽泥塑剪黏，為典型儒、道教諸神佛供奉處。左右護龍各配有鐘樓與鼓樓，晨鐘暮鼓，採用轎頂式扁六角形屋頂，造形獨特，全臺首見。全寺屋頂脊帶和飛簷由龍鳳、麒麟等吉祥物造形，飾以剪黏和交趾陶，色彩瑰麗，堪稱臺灣剪黏藝術之精華。艋舺龍山寺於民國107年升格為國定古蹟，身為臺北市重要的信仰中心，艋舺龍山寺除持續加強古蹟維護外，每年定期舉辦傳統節慶祭典及民俗活動，如農曆正月花燈展覽、四月浴佛節，以及於民國102年登錄為無形文化資產的中元盂蘭盆勝會等，同時亦定期辦理各大專院校獎學金，認助清寒學生助學金，不定期舉辦冬令救濟、急難救助、捐贈消防車及各類消防器材、復康巴士。民國94年再於板橋文化路興建文化廣場大樓，舉辦佛學講座、各類藝文活動、社教研習班，編印季刊及農民曆等，並持續推動公益慈善事業，以善盡宗教弘法利生，淨化人心，福利社會大眾之宗旨。