清水祖師 Qing Shui Zu Shi {Hok Kian = Ching Cui Co Su} was a Deity who Protecting the immigrants originating from Quan Zhou {Coan Ciu}. His familiar title was 祖師公 Zu Shi Gong {Hok Kian = Co Su Kong}. There were also various honorary titles for him, for example: Qing Shui Yan Zu Shi (a Master from rocky ground of clear water (Cadas Air Bersih), Xian Ying Zu Shi (a Master who always acceded the request), San Dai Zu Shi (ancestor of three 3 generations), Luo Bi Zu Shi (Deity who lives freely), Hei Mian Zu Shi (blackface ancestor).
Co Su Kong was a Buddhist Monk named Chen Zhao Ying {Hok Kian = Tan Ciao Eng}. He was born in Fu Jian {Hok Kian} Province, Qing Xi Regency, the Feng Chai Shan Mountain on the 6 th day of 11 th month of Chinese Calendar (Imlek), in 1044 M, during Song Dynasty Era [960-1279 M], the fourth year of Emperor Ren Zhong Government. Chen Zhao Ying, since his early childhood had left worldly life, learnt to Acharya San Bing Sian Su, who then renamed with Pu Zu {Pho Ciok}.
Chen Zhao Ying was skilled in treatment & bringing about rain for the people around An Xi {An Hui} & Xia Men {E Meng}. He often helped poor people in terms of treatment and helped people built a bridge. Nearby a cave he did penance there was a source of clear water, named Qing Shui Yan {Ching Cui Giam} meaning the Rocky Ground of Clear Water. With clear water & meditation inside this cave Chen Zhao Ying healed people who asked for his helps. Therefore, he was called 清水巗祖師 Qing Shui Yan Zu Shi {Qing Shui Zu Shi} meaning the Master from Rocky Ground of Clear Water.
Qing Shui Zu Shi was often performed with different face, sometimes black, yellow or red. Black face represented the victory over evil spirit who disturbed him at the time of meditation at Qing Shui Yan. There was also a historian who had opinion that the different of face color caused by the different original place of adoration. Qing Shui Zu Shi statue was presented as a Buddhist monk sitting with the legs crossed by wearing hats with 5 Buddhist colors, by wearing a red robe {Jia Sha}.
It was said when he was angry, his nose might break off, but after praying, his bridge could be found again in the arm of his robe. That nose then was attached again on the original place. Thus, Qing Shui Zu Shi was also called 落鼻祖師 Luo Bi Zu Shi, meaning the Deity whose Nose Broken Off.
Co Su Kong died at the time of meditated on the 6 th day of the 6 th month of Imlek, in year of 1143 M, during the Emperor Wi Zhong government era of Song dynasty of the ninth year.
Qing Shui Zu Shi Temples were many existing in Fu Jian {Hok Kian} Province. In Taiwan & other Asian countries, Qing Shui Zu Shi temple was built by immigrant group from Xia Men { E Meng}.
In Sanxia in Taiwan, there is a yearly festival where pigs are sacrificed to Qing Shui Zu Shi. However, as he was a Buddhist monk, it seems strange making meat sacrifices to him. Could you let me know why?
Many thanks
Fabian