aipeChapter 13i T Religious Folklore

Taipei was founded over 120 years ago. Taipei not only has played a leading role in politics and economics; its influence over religion and folk art cannot be easily overlooked with the aggregation of cultural groups spread throughout the nation. The melting pot of different cultures, earcustoms, and religions of many ethnic groups has created y Taipei’s distinctive cultural characteristics. Taipei is a typical immigrant city with a growing cultural diversity that derives from the religious cultures, customs, and lifestyles brought into the city by immigrants. Everyone, from government officials to representatives of civilian organizations, participates in the religious bookcelebrations and ceremonies of this vibrant city. 臺 北 市 年 鑑 Taipei Yearbook 2 0 0 5 Religious Folklore 宗教禮俗

brought here by immigrants from their ancestral homes. These holidays are based on farming, aiwan is a gathering place for diverse cultures, and Taipei is a typical immigrant city. The religious religion, and social activities. Although modern Tcultures, customs, and lifestyles of different groups brought into Taipei by its immigrants make Taipei Taipei no longer has elaborate and formal the melting pot of many cultures and define its cultural characteristics. The religious activities occurring ceremonies, we can still see vestiges of this in Taipei include Buddhist and Taoist ceremonies, traditional temple fairs, Christian church gatherings on tradition in the rituals and religious activities that Sundays, gatherings of foreign immigrants, and Muslim sermons at the mosque on Xinsheng S. Road. In took place in each of the seasons in 2005; we can addition to maintaining the existing traditional folk customs, new cultural events are continuously being also bear witness to the creativity used in adapting added, enriching Taipei’s unique cultural characteristics season after season. and developing these activities for life in modern Taipei.

Ⅰ Vibrant Ceremonial Gathering 1. Spring Celebration

Lion dancing integrates various folk sports. When celebrating the New Year according to Temple fair activities throughout Taipei the traditional customs, families gather “around are the most typical display of traditional folk the stove” to have a New Year’s Eve reunion supper. As the New Year arrives, many local residents visit the culture, most notably the parade activities held various landmark temples, including Hsingtien Temple, Longshan Temple, Guandu Temple, and Songshan by temples. Residents pray for peace and good Siyou Temple. They pray for good fortune and burn incense to the gods. Some attend church services and fortune, and come away spiritually cleansed. pray for peace throughout the New Year. The refreshing feeling of a brand new year lasts until the fifth day In honor of a given deity’s birthday, residents of the New Year. from each neighborhood celebrate with fervor, a The Lantern Festival, which takes place on Jan. 15th kind of friendly competition among the various of the lunar calendar, extends the New Year festivities. localities an important part of local religious Everyone actively participates in the Lantern Festival. activity. Temple activities not only improve People always remember the traditional folk activities of relations among neighbors, but also stimulates lighting fireworks and floating lanterns. In recent years, local economic development as well. Taipei has created the world famous “Taipei Lantern Taiwan’s traditional agricultural society Festival.” The Department of Civil Affairs draws on its celebrates many holidays, which had been many years of experience in combining traditional and modern elements, using performance, modern technology, and traditional lantern features to create a city celebration unique to Taipei, while attracting over 5 million attendees to experience its modern customs and lifestyle. This Taipei

Ceremonial activities help improve relations and strengthen ties event attracted more attendees in 2005 than ever before and among neighbors. is a must-see international celebration for foreign tourists. Besides international sightseeing festivities, traditional community-based folk activities continue to be deeply embedded in everyone’s lives. Activities include “Lantern Riddles” which challenge wisdom and knowledge, and “Attack the Fort” which stresses teamwork. In Neihu’s Mujiantou area, one can find the famous “Teasing the Earth God” on the night of the Lantern Festival; you can really The Taipei Lantern Festival, combining the modern experience folk customs through the blinding fireworks, with the traditional, has become a world famous tourist Traditional folk performances are a display of religious destination. ceremonies. deafening sounds, and smoke-filled sky. These folk 220 221 臺北市年鑑 Taipei Yearbook 2 0 0 5 Religious Folklore 宗教禮俗

activities, which have been held for years, make the Lantern Festival a unique and outstanding experience Beginning from Mar. 5th of the lunar calendar, the show “Folk Drama-The Surname Show” is put on at traditional holiday for Taipei residents. the Baonn Temple Garden Square. The Baoan Temple Choir, the famous Gezai opera societies, and North Wind instrument opera groups, puppet show groups, and school community groups are invited to perform. 2. The Changching Temple Hakka Uncle God’s Birthday Festival On Apr. 22nd, folk arts competitions and performances are held. The Song-jiang Parade, the Twelve Old The Changching Temple is located on Jinjiang Street in the Guting area, and is over 210 years old. In Ladies Parade, the Dragon Parade from Tatung University, and various other groups are invited to perform. 1983, local residents provided donations to support its expansion, which has been completed. In recent At 7:00 P.M. that night, the fire lion, holding tens of thousands of beehive fireworks in its stomach is years, due to the participation of Hakka seniors in temple matters, Changching Temple has become the ignited, lighting up the sky. On Apr. 23rd, the folk custom of “crossing fire” is performed, a demonstration main area for the Hakka Uncle God religion in the greater Taipei area. To promote solidarity among of the power of the gods. In addition to the various traditional festivities, the Baoan Temple arranges the Hakka constituents, in 2004, the Taipei Hakka Affairs Commission began to celebrate the “Birth of activities to record the Baosheng Cultural Festival, including photography and sketching competitions. It Hakka Uncle God” on the second day of the second lunar calendar month at the Changching Temple in also conducts religious seminars, traditional Chinese and western medical clinics offering free treatment, conjunction with the Hakka organizations and local residents to celebrate the Earth God’s birthday. folk art study camps, and tour guide study camps.

3. The Hakka Three Mountain Kings Ceremony 6. The Matsu Cultural Festival in Taipei Similar to Taiwan’s local deity Yiminye the Three Mountain Kings myth was brought over by the The “Return of the Gdden-Face Matsu to Taipei Hakka. The Three Mountain Kings were the patron gods of the Hakka immigrants. The religion spread ” ceremony in late July of 2004 was received throughout Taiwan and among immigrants and other groups. Every year on the birthday of the Three warmly, and brought attention to the social Mountain Kings, fellow Hakkas travel to the Three Mountain Kings temples throughout Taipei to celebrate meaning behind Matsu belief. To maintain and and pray for peace. spread this treasured cultural heritage, the 10-day long “2005 Taipei Matsu Cultural Festival” was 4. Visiting Ancestral Graves held during the middle of the third Lunar month. Fourteen major temples in Northern Taiwan Visiting ancestral graves during the Qing-Ming Festival is a traditional holiday, but the actual visit participated: Sanzhi Fucheng Temple, Taiwan, takes place on different days for the various Taiwanese ethnic groups. For the Hakka, the auspicious day Chenghuang Temple, Taipei Tianhou Temple, occurs after the Lantern Festival; for the Zhangzhou people, on Mar. 3rd of the lunar calendar; and for the Hsinchu Tianhou Temple, Xinzhuang ciyou Quanzhou people it occurs on “Qing-Ming Day.” According to modern Taipei customs, a holiday around Temple, Taipei Guandu Temple, Shilin cicheng the time of Qing-Ming Festival is chosen. Incense, candles, and fruit are brought to the ash towers and Temple, Nangang Funan Temple and Nanfu gravesites. The Taipei City Government arranges Temple, Xinyi Tianhou Temple, Beihai Shengyun for additional necessary transportation on this day Temple, Wanli Shuntian Temple, and Songshan to help ease traveling congestion for residents, ciyou Temple. Tens of thousands of pilgrims adding a modern touch to this ritual. visited daily to prostrate themselves before and cast their eyes on Matsu, recreating the grand 5. The Baosheng Cultural Festival occasion of the Golden-faced Matsu in Taiwan In recent years, to celebrate the birthday of nearly a hundred years ago. Baosheng Ta-Di, the Dalongdong Baoan Temple has sponsored the annual Baosheng Cultural Festival, which takes place during March of the lunar calendar. This festival, which combines religious activities with folk art, has attained international acclaim and has become the leading The Baosheng Cultural Festival invites excellent traditional opera The 14 temples of Northern Taiwan join forces to hold the traditional temple fair in Northern Taiwan. groups to perform. spectacular Taipei Matsu Cultural Festival.

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The Endearing Hakka Uncle God Religion Ⅱ Rich Summer Feasting Fu De, the God of Land, also known as the Earth God, is called “Bag Gung” (an endearing term meaning “uncle”) by the Hakka. Bag Gung is the patron of the household, and represents the 1. The Dragon Boat Festival relationship between the Hakka and the land in an agricultural society, illustrating the respect the The Dragon Boat Festival is one of the three main traditional festivals. Every year, Taipei holds the Hakka have for the land and nature. “Taipei International Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament” at the Dachia Riverside Section of the Keelung River. On that day, people make steamed rice dumplings and drink water at noontime in accord with tradition, making the Dragon Boat Festival a festive and interesting event. The Qu Yuan Temple, Religion of the Hakka Ancestral Homeland located in Beitou’s Zhoumei area, is the only temple to worship the Narcissus King Qu Yuan as their main deity. During the Dragon Boat Festival, the locals regularly hold a grand ceremony to offer sacrifices to the The Three Mountain Kings originally hailed from the three mountains in the homeland of river and hold the dragon boat race. This year, the temple celebration, showcasing local folk customs, was Hakka ancestors in China: Jinshan, Mingshan, and Dushan. The Hakka ancestors brought with expanded into the “Zhoumei Cultural Festival.” them the statues of the Three Mountain Kings when they came to settle in Taiwan. The Three The turmeric wild rice dumpling of the Hakkas has become wildly popular in recent years, and has Mountain Kings have since become the embodiment of the religion of the Hakka immigrants. The changed many people’s perception of traditional rice dumplings. With a taste that differs from Taiwanese commonly recognized birthdays of the Three Mountain Kings are: for the King of Jinshan, Aug. and non-Taiwanese rice dumplings, the turmeric wild rice dumpling has come to represent traditional 28th (Lunar calendar); for the King of Mingshan, Feb. 25th (Lunar calendar); and for the King Hakka cuisine. The Taipei Hakkas Affairs Commission held the “Taipei Hakka Rice Dumpling Fragrant of Dushan, July 25th (Lunar calendar). All three ceremonial days are of great importance to the Festival,” using the distinctive turmeric wild rice dumpling to promote Hakka culture and cuisine. Hakka people.

2. The Taipei Hakka Yimin Ceremony Hakka Spring Paper Hangings July 20th (Lunar calendar) is the Yimin Festival. Every year during the Yimin Festival, the Hakka in Taipei invite the monks from the Hsinpu Fangliao Yimin Main Temple in Hsinzhu County up north to pray The Taiwanese Hakkas visit their ancestral graves immediately after the celebration of the Lantern for and bless the Hakkas who have traveled away from their homeland. Since 1988, the festival has grown Festival. In the Hakka language, the visitation of ancestral graves is called “paper hanging,” or “weighing in size; on Aug. 6th and 7th, eleven temples, including those in Hsinpu, Fangliao main temple, Guanxi, paper down.” Generally a stone or brick is used to weigh down rectangular sheets of yellow/white paper Gonglin, Pingzhen, Miaoli, Toufen, Sanwan, Nanzhuang, Shitan, Dongshi, and Pingdong gather at the or five-colored paper (red, yellow, blue, white, and black) on an ancestral grave, indicating that the Taipei Central Park to hold their grand prayer ceremony. descendants have visited. The Hakka in Northern Taiwan usually choose to visit the day immediately Festival activities include the procession of Yiminye, the presenting of rice, the main ceremony, and after the Lantern Festival, Jan. 16th (Lunar calendar), while the Hakka in Southern Taiwan visit from the offering of sacrifices. The highlight of the activities is the highly creative sacred pig activity. All of the February (Lunar calendar) until the Qing Ming Festival. This custom is deeply embedded in the Hakka Hakka organizations work hard to create their own version of the sacred pig. This year saw an orchid pig, a lifestyle, and fully demonstrates the filial piety of the Hakka. loose grains pig, and the winter melon fashionable cell phone pig, all of which received much press coverage. This festival is considered to be the A Model of Historic Monument Preservation biggest annual event for the Hakka, and gives residents a glimpse into Hakka culture, effectively The Baoan Temple of Dalongdong, located at 61 Hami Street in the Datong area of Taipei, raising the level of traditional cultural activities, is said to have been built in 1755, and is listed as a Class 2 National Historic Monument, with and injecting a more lively culture into Taipei. disciples and tourists coming from near and far to worship at this temple daily. The Baoan Temple has actively promoted the preservation and restoration of this historic monument. After Seven years and NT$260 million, the historic monument preservation project 3. July Festivities was finally completed, and received the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural July 7th on the lunar calendar (Seventh Night) Organization’s (UNESCO) Asia-Pacific Cultural Heritage Award. This was the first time is not only the traditional holiday for celebrating Taiwan attained this honor as a non-member of the United Nations, and it has great historical the constellations; it has been promoted by

significance. merchants into becoming a part of the Chinese The annual Hakka Yimin Festival is not only a ritual; it is also an Valentine’s Day celebration, combining sacrificial opportunity to improve interpersonal relationships. 224 225 臺北市年鑑 Taipei Yearbook 2 0 0 5 Religious Folklore 宗教禮俗

offerings to the God of Marriage with prayers for boyfriends/girlfriends to become the new Seventh Ⅲ Dignified Religious Praise and Admiration Night Festival. The Taipei Xiahai Temple of the City God on Dihua Street, the Longshan Temple of 1. The Confucius Ceremony Mengjia, and the Songshan Xiahai Temple of the Taipei celebrated the 2555th anniversary of Confucius’s birthday on Sep. 28th, 2005 in the Dacheng City God, who all host the ancestral tablet of the Hall of the Taipei Confucius Temple. Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou and Bureau Chief Chung Che-liang God of marriage, receive a huge influx of visitors led the ceremony from the Department of Civil Affairs. The ceremony was held according to ancient who hope to find a boyfriend or girlfriend for rules of etiquette, as all present paid their respects to Confucius and his memorial tablet. The ceremony themselves, transforming the Seventh Night into a was conducted in a dignified, solemn, and respectful manner. After the ceremony, Mayor Ma presented attendees with “wisdom cakes” and “wisdom pens” as souvenirs. Various activities were held after the romantic holiday. ceremony to allow visitors the opportunity to reflect on ancient times. Another important holiday during the 7th The centuries-old “Zhishanyan Sijiaotou Rotating Ceremony” of Lunar month is “Zhongyuan Pudu,” or the the Shilin and Beitou Districts. Ghost Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the 2. The Mid-Autumn and Double Nine Festivals month. Folklore beliefs affirm that during this time, rituals must be held to help stray spirits pass on and Aug. 15th of the lunar calendar is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and it is also the Earth God’s birthday also to commemorate one’s ancestors. For over a hundred years the Shilin area has maintained the local celebrated by the traditional agricultural society. During this time, farmers put on plays thanking the gods tradition and commemorated the ancestors who lost their lives during the fighting between the Zhangzhou for the autumn harvest. China has many legends surrounding the Mid-Autumn Festival, including and Quanzhou peoples. Every year, the Shilin Sicheng Temple holds the “Zhishan Sijiaotou Zhongyuan Chang-O Flees to the Moon, Wu Kang Chops Down the Cassia Tree, Jade Rabbit Grinds Medicine, Houyi Shoots Down the Suns, and Moon Cake and the Mongolians. The Mid-Autumn Festival is a time Lunpu Ceremony,” a local ceremony, which is held in turn by the residents of Shilin, Shibei, Beishan, and of reunion. After Mid-Autumn comes the Double Nine Festival on Sep. 9th of the lunar calendar. Most Bazhilan to commemorate their ancestors. people practice the custom of commemorating their ancestors on this day, and Taipei has further developed it into a holiday for revering elders. Taking advantage of the autumn season, Taipei sponsors folk activities The Origins of Yimin including hiking and kite flying. The Taipei government also observes this day by paying visits to senior citizens who are over 100 years old and wishing them a happy birthday. The Yimin Temple commemorates the ancestors who died in the battles in Taiwan, specifically those involving Zhu Yi-gui, Lin Shuang-wen, and Dai Chao-chun. The temple honors those who died protecting their country. In November of 1799, Lin Shuang-wen staged a rebellion and 3. The Folk Jiao Ceremony captured an important city in the southern part of Central Taiwan. Many died, and the governor The Songshan Cihui Hall in Xinyi District celebrated its 35th anniversary by holding the “Five Dynasty Sun Ching-sui was killed. In December, Lin attacked Danshui, and after gaining victory there Qing Jiao Peace Prayer Ceremony”. In addition to the traditional Taoist peace prayer rituals, a series of immediately attacked Hsinchu City. Inspector Zhang Chih-hsin was killed in the line of duty. At celebratory activities were added to this Jiao ceremony, including: a national photography competition, this time, the people of Hsinchu and Hsinpu organized their own militia force under the leadership an orchestral performance of Chinese classical music, and the Double Nine Festival senior appreciation. of Chen Zi-yun and fought fiercely against Lin for several months, and regained control of Hsinchu. Along with disseminating Taoist teachings, expanding religious cultural activities and charity work, Sihui Lin fled first to Miaoli and then to Dachia. In October of 1800, the soldiers commanded by the Hall strives to bring peace to people through religion and aims to promote interaction between people and governor of Fujian landed in Lugang, met up with the militia and fought against Lin at Lunziding in reduce violence in society through these activities. November. The fighting shifted to Niuchou Shan, where Lin and his forces were finally defeated. Shilin’s Zhishanyan Huiji Temple, classified as During the war, over 200 members of the militia died, and their remains were scattered in various a Class 3 National Monument, is a 250-year-old locations. Liu Xian-kun and Wang Yan-chang traveled back by ox cart and picked up remains along temple constructed by the Zhangzhou immigrants during the Qing Dynasty. It is presently a the way home. Originally, the plan was to bury the remains at Dawokou (today’s Hukou Xiang). temple that combines Buddhism, Taoism, and But after passing the Fengshan River, the ox refused to travel any further. After burning incense and Confucianism. In December of 2005, to celebrate praying to the gods, everyone realized that the spot where the ox had stopped was an auspicious its anniversary, a “5-Day Peace Prayer Jiao” was location. After confirmation by a geomancer, the remains of the loyal soldiers were buried in that held to pray for peace for the citizens of Taipei. spot. During the winter of 1801, the “Baozhong Temple” was erected on the site, and disciples Activities included offsetting up the Taoist lantern, have worshipped there continuously. Later, the deceased from the Dai Chao-chun incident were lighting the water lantern, and the Chung Kuei buried there as well. The Liudui Zhongyi Shrine was built there after the Zhu Yi-gui incident. The dance ritual. Prayers were offered for national Hakka spirit of commemorating the dead culminating in the Yimin belief has become a unique folk peace and good weather. It was an extraordinary religion for the Hakka people. The impressive and dignified ceremony in honor of Confucius’ occasion. birthday.

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4. The Ceremony at the Temple of the City God harvest, when the “Peace Play,” and “Harvesting for Winter Play” are performed to thank the gods for their A sacrificial ceremony celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Taiwan Temple of the City God of blessings throughout the year. Instead of plays, Taipei performed antiphonal arrangements of Hakka folk independence from Japan was held at the temple, located at Wuchang Street in Taipei, on Oct. 25th. songs to celebrate and share the year’s harvest. Deputy Mayor King Pu-tsung officiated the ceremony according to ancient rules of etiquette, along with The Taipei City Government at the Taipei Hakka Opera and Music Hall on Mingde Road of Beitou Department of Civic Affairs Chief Zhong Ze-liang, and Temple Chairperson and Supervisor Hu Yi-shou. District sponsored the 4th annual Hakka Folk Song Festival, with performances by 60 folk associations. The historically meaningful rituals were performed and sacrifices were offered to the City God to pray for The festival took place between Oct. 22nd and Dec. 18th. In addition to the three major types of traditional good fortune for its residents. Hakka songs, the beauty of Hakka music was conveyed through performances of eight traditional instruments, a drum parade, stringed instruments, and dance. 5. The Taipei Hakka Folk Song Festival Living conditions were not ideal in traditional Hakka agricultural society. In order to make a living, one 6. Chingshan Temple Historic Monument Restoration and Procession had to set out early, work diligently and return home late. There were not many recreational activities. One The Chingshan Temple was built in 1856, and houses the deity King of Chingshan. It is classified as a of the most popular local leisure activities took place in the beginning of the year. It revolved around the Class 3 National Historical Monument. According to legend, an epidemic struck in Mengjia many years reception and procession of the Gods before the busy farming season during the springtime, and praying ago. The temple answered the prayers of the sick and healed them, thereby increasing the number of temple for a good harvest. Another celebration took place in October of the lunar calendar, after the autumn followers and making the Chingshan Temple very important to the people of Mengjia. The annual “King of Chingshan Ceremony” is what is commonly known as the “Big Mengjia Prayer Ceremony.” In 2005, to celebrate the completion of the restoration of the historical site, a peace prayer procession What Does “Jiao” Mean? was held in Mengjia on Oct. 22nd of the lunar calendar. The procession began at noon after Yeh Ching- chuan, Deputy Mayor, Chen Qi-yung, the Chief of the Department of Civic Affairs, Liao Hsien-hao, the “Jiao” refers to a ceremonial ritual in Taoism, Chief of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Wang Jian-chang from the Chingshan Temple burned and is usually combined with “Zhai” to form incense and offered their prayers. Lead by the famous “Eight Generals of Chingshan,” the procession “Zhai Jiao,” which is the general term for a followed ancient paths and marched around Wanhua Street as a form of prayer for peace. With the Taoist ritual. “Zhai” refers to the act of spiritually participation of other local groups, the procession was several kilometers long, and the streets were filled cleansing oneself before engaging in the ritual, with people. This event, unique to Mengjia, was a grand occasion for Taipei in terms of both religion and and “Jiao” refers to the ritual itself. Eventually tourism. the two words were put together and became a unique term for Taoist ceremonial rituals. A spectacularly decorated Jiao altar at a folk temple. 7. Winter Solstice, End of the Year There is a saying: “The winter solstice is as important as the new year,” which points out that the traditional winter solstice holiday is just as important as the Spring Festival. In the past, on this day, besides Hakka Pomelo Tea performing the ritual for commemorating one’s ancestors and eating sweet dumplings servedin soup, the winter solstice is also a time for “patching up the body” by eating appropriate foods to strengthen one’s Pomeloes are in season during the Mid-Autumn Festival, but Hakka pomelo tea is rarely health during the winter season. Eating sweet seen in Taipei. Pomelo tea is a fruit tea made by the Hakka during the autumn and winter dumplings is symbolic of ending the present year, months, when there is spare time from farming. In the past, it was a means of extra income for and growing a year older, and welcoming the new the Hakka after the autumn harvest. Pomelo tea is a healthy drink, and attests to the thriftiness year. Another saying goes like this: “After eating and diligence of the Hakka. On Oct. 29th, 2005, the Taipei Hakka Affairs Committee held the wei-ya (the end of year meal), be prepared to “DIY Pomelo Tea” event at the Taipei Hakka Literary Arts Activity Center, and invited 82-year celebrate the New Year.” In Taiwan, “wei-ya” is a old Fan De-you to teach and demonstrate how to make pomelo tea. Also, Mr. Tseng Zhi-hsien traditional custom, which no family is exempted was invited to explain how to make compressed tea. The tea ceremony and floral arts teacher from. Around Dec. 16th of the lunar calendar, companies hold feasts for their employees. “wei ya” Ms. Liao Chun-yu brought pomelo tea made from last year’s crop to demonstrate the various has become the day where employers reward their ways to brew pomelo tea. During the activities, participants, including Taipei residents and their employees. Winning Raffle prizes and money after families, made their own pomelo tea, and sealed their wishes for the coming year with pomelo enjoying a feast has become the most attractive part and black tea infused with pomelo, and savor the sweetly sour Hakka taste with their close of “wei-ya.” friends. The procession of the King of Chingshan at one of Taipei’s three largest temple fairs. 228 229 臺北市年鑑 Taipei Yearbook 2 0 0 5 Religious Folklore 宗教禮俗

Ⅳ Foreign Ceremonies and Rituals in Taipei Ⅴ Progressive Ceremonial Innovations 1. Thailand’s Water Festival in Taipei Religion is closely bound up with our daily lives. In recent years, Taipei and local religious In celebrating the annual Thailand’s Water Festival, the Taipei City Government held celebratory organizations have diligently worked with all departments to promote the updating of ceremonial rituals activities during the holiday weekend at Songshan Elementary School. Many citizens and Thai immigrants and public welfare. Through mutual exchange, we hope to bring down the barriers of rejection and bias, turned out to celebrate what has become one of Taipei’s biggest annual holidays. The Water Festival and achieve selflessness as well as generosity in one and all. of Thailand starts off the New Year on the Thai calendar. In Buddhism, water represents 1. Charity Work of Religious Organizations purification and blessing, as it does on this day Temples and churches have provided assistance to many residents in their times of need. The religious when people spray each other with water. For organizations in Taipei have been active in promoting charitable activities and enlightenment, and have many Taipei residents, this is a unique and exciting received official recognition for their efforts. In 2005, the Taipei City Government was honored fifty- experience. two organizations. Besides spreading their respective religions, these organizations have also participated in childcare, counseling young people, welfare services for women, senior citizen care, helping disabled 2. The Holy Cross Festival people, and community building. They have shown their caring on behalf of society and our nation through Saint Christopher’s Church, located on their actions. Zhongshan North Road, is a gathering place for foreign laborers. In recent years, foreign laborers New immigrants and Taipei residents enthusiastically participate have traveled from Shilin, Tianmu, and even Taipei in the Thai Water Festival. 2. Religion and Ceremonial Culture Study Camps County to gather here on Sundays for church A “Religion and Ceremonial Culture Study Camp” was held to study the relations between religion, services. May 30th is the day of the traditional Filipino religious holiday “The Holy Cross Festival” folk culture, and customs. We hope to help religious organizations, schools, and people who are interested . This year, the festival was held one day early, on May 29th, on Zhongshan North Road. Visiting Filipino in understanding folk culture, and to build a database of study materials for folk education. In 2005, the dancers wore their traditional clothing and performed “Ati-Atihan,” their traditional war dance, attracting camp unified religion and folk customs, helping local residents understand how religion affects their daily crowds of people. This is both an important religious and cultural holiday for Filipinos. lives. The participation of school teachers and religious studies students helps pass on the education of folk The Holy Cross Festival in Taipei has been slowly incorporated into Taipei’s own culture. Although culture to them. Participants also studied religious rituals and ceremonies, and religious studies experts activities are presently limited to the area around Saint Christopher’s Church, the Department of Labor has were invited to give talks to establish a database sponsored this festival, which has lead to increased attention from many people for the past five years. The of religious ceremonies for historical preservation. efforts of foreign laborers are greatly appreciated, and through this type of activity, we hope to enhance This camp also arranged for visits to temples to the cultural exchange between citizens and foreign laborers, as well as increase the awareness of Filipino provide participants the opportunity to experience religion and culture. religious ceremonies, and create full effective learning through personal interaction. 3. Eid-ul-Adhha (Islamic Holiday Celebrating Loyalty and Filial Piety) The Taipei Grand Mosque, located on Xinsheng South Road and built in 1960, is the main religious 3. Continued Promotion of center for Muslims in Taiwan. It was erected in accordance with Islamic law and Arabic architectural design and construction methods. The weekly Muslim sermon services are one of Taipei’s most unique Centralized Collection and events. Eid-ul-Adhha is one of the two major celebrations for Muslims (disciples of the Islamic religion), Burning of Paper Money and is held on Dec. 10th. On this day, Muslims get up early in the morning, cleanse their bodies, put on In order to protect the environment, improve air new clothing, and attend service at the mosque. After the sermon, they listen to the mosque elder that quality and public safety in communities, Taipei relates the story of Eid-ul-Adhha, and then they offer their prayers and sacrifices to Allah. began working with the Taiwan Temple of the City Eid-ul-Adhha serves to remind the Muslim faithful about the Prophet Ibrahim, who because of his God many years ago to collect paper money from obedience to Allah, had blessings bestowed upon him and his descendents. This holiday also serves to various temple organizations in the month of July Religious groups are deservingly credited with improving public motivate everyone in society to achieve higher enlightenment and to aid people who are in need. of the lunar calendar, and burn the paper money welfare.

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at a central location. In 2005, 445.06 metric tons 6. Literary Arts Festivals of paper money was collected. This policy meets In order to meet the needs of Taipei residents whose standard of living has been increasing, and to current environmental needs and has become further enhance the cultural, folk, and geographical uniqueness of the various communities, Taipei has accepted by the public. been cooperating with 12 district offices in holding literary arts activities. Each district highlights its local culture, industry, and local festivals to hold literary arts activities 4. Natural Burial for Environmental unique to that district. Activities for 2005 included the “2005 Neihu Lantern Festival” and the “Dream Protection Festival” in Neihu; the “Fu De Cultural Festival” in Xinyi District; the “Zhongzheng Ancient City Search” Traditional burials include interment and in Zhongzheng District; the “Wenshan Tea Cultural Season” in Wenshan District; the “Shining Age of cremation. As time passes and society progresses, Literary Arts in Daan” in Daan District; the “2005 Wanhua Cultural Festival” in Wanhua; the “Yongle new environmentally friendly burial methods Elementray Kids Opera Show” and “Dadaocheng’s Night of Chinese Woodwind Heritage” in Datong have been developed, including tree burial and District; the “Songshan Puppet Cultural Holiday” scattering of ashes (into the air, sea, and outer in Songshan District; the “2005 Nangang space), which have become gradually accepted by Osmanthus Season” in Nangang; and “Go! Go! the public. In November 2003, Taipei established The Taipei City Government continues to promote the centralized Beitou: Exploring the City’s Emeralds” in Shilin. burning of paper money. the Fude Life Memorial Garden, providing the first Each district is unique and fully illustrates the tree burial site in the nation. That December, a diversity of literary arts in Taipei. communal burial at sea was held, which was also the first of its kind in Taiwan. Because Taipei City 7. Innovation in Rituals and does not border on the sea, great measures were Etiquette taken to receive approval from the Coast Guard to The “Coming of Age” ritual is an ancient hold this burial once a year. ritual in this country. In order for the young men In 2005, the communal burial at sea was held and women of Taipei to learn more about their on May 26th to 28th deceased and 67 family own hometowns, a wide range of coming of age members. After going through customs checks activities are held in the various districts of Taipei. by Coast Guard personnel, the participants were These unique activities provide a modernized and The solemn and dignified communal funeral ceremony. allowed onto the ship from Dadaocheng Wharf. meaningful coming of age experience. Pictures and personal effects of the deceased were In 2005, Taipei’s communal marriage brought along. Soothing music was played. The ceremonies made a breakthrough, providing a family members offered their prayers, kissed the The Taipei City Government holds the communal burial-at-sea thematic, creative, romantic, and unforgettable urns, and cast them overboard along with flowers memorial ceremony for residents. marriage for couples in Taipei. Unique themes and and petals, taking their final leave. locations, buildings, and locations representative of Taipei were used. 5. Communal Funeral Service Folk religion fusing Buddhist and Taoist beliefs Funeral rituals serve to commemorate the deceased, and are not meant to be fancy and stylish. In order has long been the center of the beliefs, lifestyle, to improve social conventions, simplify memorial service procedures, and reduce funeral expenses, Taipei and customs of many people. Desirable moral and took the lead and began holding communal funeral services in 1988. Families of the deceased gather character traits have been idealized into gods and weekly at the Taipei Second Funeral Parlor for a communal funeral service. The mayor and department worshipped by the people, serving as the moral officials take turns in conducting the service, and a representative from the District Office of the Deceased values of traditional society and inspiring people comes to pay respect. This service is highly appreciated by the public. In 2005, a total of 69 services were to perform good deeds. The gods have human City residents enthusiastically take part in the unique literary arts held for 796 deceased. activities of their local districts. 232 233 Taipei Yearbook 2 0 0 5

characteristics, and their duties are directly related to the daily lives of the people; the gods, therefore, are widely accepted by their disciples and provide needed spiritual support, especially in times of change. Religious ceremonies and rituals are an integral part of society, and incorporate aspects of culture, politics, and economics. The agricultural age of this society has come to pass, but in Taipei today, seasonal ceremonies such as festivals/holidays and marriage/funeral ceremonies still take place in accordance with the traditions of our ancestors, and fully illustrate the vibrant nature of folk culture. Through these ceremonies, people experience the rich traditional culture, and develop a loving care for literary arts and for the land. Religion and ceremonial rituals not only serve as a standard by which to Historical religious ceremonial activities for the spiritual wellbeing of the people. conduct one’s life, but they are also a continuous and integral expression of folk lifestyle culture, and lead people to respect nature, and enjoy the romance, wonder, and fun of citylife. Religious ceremonies remain an important part of everyday life, and certainly will not be forgotten over time.

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