The aim of this study is to investigate the relations between temples and the development of local societies, and the Sanyuan Temple in Bade District was selected as the primary research subject. This temple is located right next to the Bade District Civil Affair Office, and is central to local residents’ religious beliefs. According to historic records, it was first built during the Qianlong period in the Chin Dynasty, and was later rebuilt in Da-Cheng 14 (1925 AD); it is also the oldest temple in Bade District. The three holy spirits (gods) worshiped in the Sanyuan Temple are the god of heaven, the god of earth, and the god of water, the three gods (also called Yuans) formed the name of the temple. The religious sphere of the Sanyuan Temple are primarily from areas used to be called "Peh-Te-Tshu" and "Xia-Zhuang-Zi" in the Peh-Te-Zhuang period. The above two areas cover Xing-Ren Village and 10 other villages in today’s Bade District. Temples played a critical role in Taiwan’s history, because our forefathers crossed the Taiwan Strait to come to Taiwan, risking their lives in the process, they needed mental support and spiritual comfort. Temples were also of significant historic importance during the immigration and exploration periods, they not only served as centers of local religious belief, they were closely related to ethnic groups, politics, local economy, social education and cultural development as well.
The Sanyuan Temple and the development of local societies in Bade District are also related in the same manner, because various religious activities are capable of forming cohesion among ethnic groups and promoting local economy. Two prominent local families, the Chu’s and the Lu’s, successfully accumulated symbolic capital, expanded and retained personal and family wealth and power by way of supporting and participating temple affairs, and had therefore generated far-reaching influences. In addition, temples become political figures’ wrestling grounds in election years; candidates tend to think they could earn voters’ approval by participating Sanyuan Temple’s religious activities, and thus making the relation between the Sanyuan Temple and local politics mutually beneficial. Furthermore, besides being a worshiping place, the Sanyuan Temple also serves as a public space where local residents gather and interact with each other; its functions include not only passing down religious beliefs, but also holding activities such as charity events, religious celebrations, traditional architecture and decorative arts appreciation, and so on. All of the above functions are related to social and cultural education, and they all convey the moral concept of rewarding the good and punishing the evil to the worshipers in a subtle fashion.
Since the Sanyuan Temple has a very long history, the author hopes that this study could provide suggestions related to cultural heritage and preservation of history for local governments, the Sanyuan Temple, as well as subsequent researchers.
