Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Buddhism
Buddhism (
Fójiào
) came to Taiwan in the 17th century with the Ming loyalist Koxinga,
but there were few orthodox associations until Japanese times. Many Japanese were de-
vout Buddhists and supported the growth of the religion during their occupation.
In 1949, thousands of monks, fearing religious persecution in China, fled to Taiwan
with the Nationalists. Under martial law, all Buddhist groups were officially organised
under the Buddhist Association of the Republic of China (BAROC). By the 1960s,
however, independent associations were emerging, and it is these maverick groups that
have had the most influence in modern times.
Buddhism in Taiwan is largely Chan (Zen) or Pure Land, though few groups are
strictly orthodox. The main Buddhist associations are Foguangshan (the Light of
Buddha), Dharma Drum, Tzu Chi and Chung Tai Chan.
The Bodhisattva Guanyin, the embodiment of mercy, is the most popular Buddhist
deity in Taiwan.
Folk Religion
Beliefs about ancestor worship permeate almost every aspect of Chinese philosophy.
Most homes in Taiwan have their own altar, where family members pay their respects to
deceased relatives by burning incense and providing offerings.
Closely tied to ancestor worship is popular or folk religion, which consists of an im-
mense celestial bureaucracy of gods and spirits, from the lowly but important kitchen
god (
zào jūn
) to the celestial emperor himself (
tiāndì
or
shàngdì
). Like the imperial bur-
eaucrats on earth, each god has a particular role to fulfil and can be either promoted or
demoted depending on his or her job performance. Offerings to the gods consist not only
of food and incense, but also opera performances, birthday parties (to which other local
gods are invited) and even processions around town.
WHO'S WHO ON THE DOOR?
In Taiwan the most commonly encountered deities aren't statues of Matsu or
Buddha inside temples, but the colourful door gods that are practically every-
where. These supernatural bouncers are spotted not only at temple entrances, but
also on city gates, house doors or even indoors as bedroom guardians. The func-
tion of door gods is to frighten away evil spirits; they are right on the frontline when
it comes to securing the well-being of a temple or a family at home.
