The Miraculous Master A-fa

Taiwan's Well-known Statue Sprucing Craftsman Master A-fa

Master A-fa’s full name is “Shin-fa Lin.” He has been engaged in statue sprucing for more than 40 years and is good at god statue carving and restoration. The Buddhist tools shop he runs is located in front of “Nanyao Temple” near our school. In 2021, the ancient “Xiang Dan” used by Nanyao Temple for 250 years since the Qing Dynasty was retired. The new Xiang Dan was commissioned to be produced by Master A-fa, which was a major local event.

 

 

 

 

 

The new Xiang Dan produced by Master A-fa has taken over the important responsibility of Nanyao Temple's “Pilgrimage to Bengang” event

 

Master A-fa'’ statue sprucing craftsmanship is even more famous locally. Many national and county-designated monument temples in Changhua enshrine statues of gods made or restored by him. The temples in other counties and cities also often commission Master A-fa to perform some difficult restoration or production work of statues. In recent years, government authorities, such as the Ministry of Culture and the Cultural Affairs Bureau have paid increasing attention to the inheritance of traditional crafts. These authorities issued Master A-fa Changhua County intangible assets “statue sprucing” and “statue restoration (wood carving, clay sculpture)” double certificates as a preserver. The Ministry of Culture also registered Master A-fa’s statue restoration craftsmanship on the National Cultural Heritage Network https://nchdb.boch.gov.tw/assets/overview/ptp/20210415000006. Moreover, TV stations, radio stations, etc. also often interview Master A-fa. Master A-fa is also willing to cooperate with schools and cultural institutions to contribute to the preservation and inheritance of traditional crafts. Master A-fa’s reputation spread far and wide, and even craftsmen from foreign temples came to seek assistance from him.

Master A-fa is the technical preserver of national culture asset

 

 

 

Figure 1-2e: Master A-fa’s technology has been certified by the government.

Figure 1-2f: Invited as a consultant by famous temples.

Figure 1-2g: Curriculum cooperation with schools.

 

Figure 1-2h、1-2i、1-2j: Certificates of appreciation from various organizations.

Figure 1-2k: Master A-fa not only possesses superb skills, but is also willing to pass them on and carry them forward.