2009/03/10
By Sharon Yu
Going to the temple and wishing for good luck are the most popular custom in Taiwan. In one’s whole life, it’s hardly to skip from this process except for Christians. Whenever there’s a big holiday, temples are always flooded with people and a bunch of vendors. In the crowds, people don’t need to walk but still be pushed forwards. There are some introductions of Chinese worship culture in the following context.
In the beginning of a new lunar year, people would get up early, preparing for offerings which often include fruits, vegetables, meats and biscuits. Not only Gods in famous temples but also Gods in kitchen or some local places are becoming targets to worship. There’s a superstition that the one who gets the first incense stick will have a good year. Hence, incense race is the well-known activity in every temple. People tend to mentally rely on Gods, wishing great fortunes, especially this year under the serious situation of worldwide economy depression.
In the countryside, people put on thick cosmetics and costumes like Gods and form a group of members to hold Buddhistic ceremonies. Lots of adherents then follow those members with an incense stick in hand, walking a long trail from city to city. This is the way people show there respects towards divine spirits. And they strictly believe that what they sacrifice will bring them luck and fortunes and, moreover, make them comforted.
People nowadays really need some supports to survive in this challenging society so that worshipping plays an important role.
In your report, we see the rich and interisting Chinese culture. All of them are unique. Especially the custom to get the incense stick. It shows how people respect the God and try to obtain the good luck for the new year. It is very crucial for people to find a mental comfort in the hard time like this. And sometime the faith can support us.
回覆刪除Edited by Amberlin
回覆刪除Going to the temple and wishing for good luck are the most popular custom in Taiwan. In one’s whole life, it’s hard to skip this process except for the Christians. Whenever there’s a big holiday, you can always see temples flooded with a bunch of people and vendors, especially in the crowds, you don’t even need to walk but still be pushed forwards. There are some introductions of Taiwanese worship culture in the following context which will take you more closer to the most exciting part of Taiwanese worship.
In the beginning of a new lunar year, people would get up early, preparing for offerings which often include fruits, vegetables, meats and biscuits. Not only Gods of famous temples but also Gods of kitchen or some local places are becoming center roles of worship. There’s a belief that the one who gets the first incense stick will have a good year. So, the incense race becomes the well-known activity in every temple. Generally, people tend to spiritually rely on Gods, wishing great fortunes, especially under the serious situation of worldwide economy depression, it becomes more prevailing this year
And don’t forget the most special ritual in worshiping－ Jhen Tou (or religionary array). In the countryside, people put on thick cosmetics and costumes like Gods and form a group of members to hold Taoist ceremonies. Lots of adherents then follow those members with an incense stick in hand, walking a long trail from city to city. This is the way people show their respects towards divine spirits. And they strictly believe that what they sacrifice will bring them luck in the future, and moreover, gain a sense of inner peace.
Nowadays, many people need some faith to sustain them in this competitive society, and therefore worshipping plays a prominent role within Taiwanese minds.
Can you find a title for your story? Put "Taiwan Story 1" as a label.
回覆刪除organized by Sharon
回覆刪除it's our discussion in SL in the following:
[1:00] Sharon Byron: I'm talking about the old but common custom in Taiwan
[1:01] Sharon Byron: whenever there's a bid holiday, temples are full of floowers
[1:01] Sharon Byron: followers
[1:02] Sharon Byron: people tend to mentally rely on Buddhistism
[1:02] Una Rewell: oh
[1:02] Brooke Yven: oh.
[1:02] Una Rewell: excuse me
[1:03] Una Rewell: your story is about religion?
[1:03] Sharon Byron: lots of offerings and incense stick are prepared by followers
[1:03] Amberlin Zuta: so do we need the photo about the news?
[1:04] Una Rewell: maybe
[1:04] Una Rewell: i think
[1:04] Mi Shinn: yes
[1:04] Mi Shinn: you need a pic for the news
[1:04] Sharon Byron: I got some pics on my own
[1:04] Una Rewell: fine
[1:04] Amberlin Zuta: But in Sharon's case, the pic is not so important
[1:04] Sharon Byron: but I didn't post it on blogger
[1:04] Amberlin Zuta: ok
[1:04] Una Rewell: do we need to post the pic on the blogger
[1:05] Sharon Byron: actually I'm talking about its activity
[1:05] Sharon Byron: rather than mental aspect
[1:05] Sharon Byron: maybe I'm done
[1:05] Una Rewell: ok