Busy weekends

Temples in Taiwan are usually very busy on the weekends.The elders,with burning incense in their hands,come to ask for good health and family peace before the gods and goddesses.Outside the temple in the square there are soaring sound of firecrackers and competitive exhibition of kun-fu,and the terrifying performance of the god's interpretors.I just passed by the temple and happened to share their religious ecstasy by making numerous shootings.

Buddhists' Transcending Meeting

Recently the Buddhists held a meeting at Changhua Athletic Park on Pagumount to transcend the soul from suffering in the underworld.The meeting is closely related to the legend of Mu-lian(目蓮救母)who rescued his mother from the hell.Mu-lian's mother was orignally a devoted Buddhist before her husband was sick. She prayed to Buddha for her husband's recovery.But she was disappointed.After her husband's death she began to eat meat and committed wrongdoings which led her to the hell.Mu-lian,the obedient son,visited all the hells to save his mother. He opened one of the doors of the hells and the ghosts escaped from the hells,returning to the world.That is why the Chinese and Taiwanese call this month (July by Chinese calendar)ghosts' month.During this month,people do many bai-bais to treat the ghosts,burning lots of paper money to them,and let the Buddhist Master transcend the souls from sufferings in the hell.

Pantheism in Taiwan

Most Taiwanese believe in pantheism. The sea may have a god,the mountains may have another,while the stone,or even the tree still has its own god. You can see numrous temples ranging from extravagant to humbles ones worshipping their own gods. The Taiwanese enjoy complete religious freedom because none will force them to change their belief.(照片:埔里中台禪寺)

Sun-Moon Temple 日月禪寺

In Taiwan,there are numerou temples and churches for you to say your prayers in. Choose the one that suit you most. To me,religion means the belief or the building in which I feel comfortable and peaceful. No fear,no revenge. A state of tranquility dipped in the bright sunlight.

Pilgrimage in Taiwan

The Taiwanese spend a lot of time worshipping their gods.Every year in spring,they move from Daijia in Taichung County to Shinkong in Jiayi County. The journey is a symposium of Chinese folk music and folk arts.The pilgrimage includes eight days and seven nights.The picture on the right shows the followers of Mazu(媽祖),the goddess,are kneeing down to let the sedan of Mazu go over their heads which will help them to get rid of bad spirits and bring them good luck.