Qingshui (monk)

Statue of Qingshui

Qingshui (Chinese: 清水; pinyin: Qīngshuǐ; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Chheng-chúi; 1047-1101), also known as Chó͘-su-kong (Chinese: 祖師公; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Chó͘-su-kong), born Chen Zhaoying (Chinese: 陳昭應; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tân Chiau-èng) was a Chan Buddhist monk during the Northern Song from Anxi County, Quanzhou. He was said to have gained supernatural powers through his skill in learning and preaching the Dharma and meditation.[1] Through this, he is said to have saved the town of Anxi during a period of drought, bringing rain as he went from place to place. In reverence, the villagers built shrines to him and hence became a Deity in Chinese folk religion.[2]

Qingshui is also known by the following nicknames:[1]

  • Dropping Nose Ancestor (Chinese: 落鼻祖師公; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: La̍k-phīⁿ chó͘-su-kong), known for the prominent nose featured in Qingshui's effigies
  • Black Faced Ancestor (Chinese: 烏面祖師公; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: o͘-bīn-chó͘-su-kong)

Worship of Qingshui Zushi (清水祖师) is especially popular in Taiwan, where he is worshiped by local villagers for protection and in overseas Hokkien-speaking communities. His birthday is celebrated on the sixth day of the first lunar month.

  1. ^ a b Tan, Chee Beng (2006). Southern Fujian: reproduction of traditions in Post-Mao China. Chinese University of Hong Kong. p. 125. ISBN 9789629962333.
  2. ^ "Chin Swee Caves Temple - The Founder". chinswee.org. Retrieved 2021-01-03.