Qing Shui Zu Shi, also known as "Ma Zhang Shang Ren," was born at Anxi, Fujian Province on the 6th day of the first lunar month in 1044 A.D. He was an expert in medicine and was well intentioned in helping people. He earned respect from local residents when his prayer for rain in a time of drought and suffering was answered. Local residents solicited donations and built a practicing site for him. The site gained the name "Clear Water Cavern," for there was a spring in front of it, thus accounting for the name by which he came to be known: Qing Shui Zu Shi (Clear Water Master). After his death, local residents built a temple to worship him that has stood ever since. It is said that the master will drop the nose off his joss in foretelling a calamity and warning people. For that, he earned himself the nickname "Nose-Dropping Master" from his followers.

The celebration ceremony of Qing-Sheng-Zu-Shi is usually held on its birthday, the 6th day of the first lunar month, at Zu Shi temples throughout Taiwan. In the Tamsui area, however, it is held on the 6th day of the fifth lunar month, the day when Qing-Sheng-Zu-Shi became a deity.

Display of giant pig

Giant pig contest winner

Worshiped pork for sale

Bei-kuan music troupe

　 Date   : 6th day of the first lunar month
　 Place : Qing Shui Zu Shi Temple, Sanhsia,
　　　　　Taipei County

      Founded during the Qing Dynasty in 1769, the Qing Shui Zu Shi Temple in Sanhsia has undergone three reconstructions. After the retrocession of Taiwan from the Japanese Occupation, the administration body of the temple invited Taiwanese artist Mr. Li Mei-shu and temple architecture master Mr. Chen Ying-bin to lead the reconstruction plan of the temple. The reconstruction lasted for 40 years, which eared the temple to be recognized as a masterpiece of Taiwan temples.
 
      Every year, when Qing Shui Zu Shi's birthday comes, the residents organize grand festivals to celebrate. These festivals start at midnight on the 5th day with the recitation of sutras by eminent monks. The worshipers and vendors arrive from near and far at dawn, and enlighten this small old town with animated festival atmosphere.

      The high peak of the festival activities is the "Giant Pig Contest." In order to win the contest, local residents will try every possible way to make their pigs gain as much weight as they can. With the utmost attention of their owners, the pigs normally reach 600 to 700 kilograms. The pigs receiving the top eight awards will be butchered and be displayed on rows of wooden stands, which are decorated with colorful frames, lights, golden plates, certificates of award, along with the special effect of dry ice. The giant pigs are set out in line according to their ranking; and owners will put pineapples (which sounds like "prosperity" in Taiwanese) in their mouths with hope that gook luck will be bestowed upon the residents. Altars are set up in front of the displayed pigs, adorned with flowers, fruits, and incense pots. With the sound of bei kuan and nan kuan music blaring, the temple square is bustling with noise and excitement.

      After noontime, the residents will cut the pork into pieces for sell. People believe that eating the worshiped pork will allow them to be protected by the power of God. Consequently, the pork can be sold for about NT$500 to NT$600 per Tai-kilogram (0.6 kg). When the night falling upon Sanhsia, the small town will be packed with traffic; people come from near and far eager to take part in the ceremony feasts hosted by the residents, and make the entire town into a carnival world.