Hello, everyone!
This week, I want to talk about religion in Taiwan.
It won't be a serious topic, just enjoy it!
The following are just my own opinion, so, don't be too serious about it. :)
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The reason why I want to talk about this subject is because the history class.
I'm studying in senior high now, therefore, I have learned lots of world history now.
As I remembered, there were some world involved to religion in the Western.(The war which I mean is between two or more different religions, it's not mean protest.)
Nevertheless, there were no war such this in the area where I live in.(Not including Middle East and North Asia.)
I don't think that there was a war between Buddhist and Taoist.
Unless I never heard that before.
I think people here are more tolerant about the religion.(Of course not "everyone", but most.)
There is something interesting that if you ask the person who are not an exactly Buddhist, Christian ,Catholic, Muslim(In short, that's mean most people in Taiwan.) what religion they follow, you may listen the answer like:
"Um....... I think maybe..... Taoism? Or Buddhism? oh... I'm not sure..."
More than half person will give you the answer like this.
So did me before.
Until my history teacher told us what religion we follow, I eventually knew what belief I'm.
Most of us believe in " Folk religion".
I can explain that why most people are not exactly know what religion we are.
Because we always go to the temple to 拜拜(The pronunciation is "bye-bye")
But most of us didn't get the ceremony to get into the religion group.
However, that's not mean that we are not believe in god.
We just not a formal member.(I don't think the explanation is well, but I think it's closed.)
As a result, let me show you some picture of temple in Taiwan.(Exactly in the area around my house.)
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In Taiwan, there are lots of temples.
For example, I take the bus to my school, and on my way to school(only 15~20 minutes), there are "4"temples!
Every temple have different god.
However, there are too many gods and goddesses in Taiwan,so, if you are interesting in it, maybe you can search " Taiwanese gods" in google.
I think "Mazu"(媽祖) is one of the most famous goddesses here.
Maybe you have heard that before.
In fact, I can see this temple from the window of my bedroom.
Therefore, this temples is where my family always go when there is some events.
This is another temple around my house.
(But, the photo didn't show the "temple" itself, just its "door"(I'm not sure if I should call it door or something else.)
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Now, I want tell you what 拜拜 is.
First, you should hold 香(incense stick), how many shall you hold is depend on temple.
Second, you need to you use fire to light it.
Once it burn, you cannot use your mouth to blow it, instead , you should use your hand.
Finally, stick it to the 香爐(censer).
Exactly, you should use your left hand to stick it.
That's all, it doesn't too difficult right?
截自google圖片
This is that we call 香.
And this is censer.香爐
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Finally,there is another thing you may heard that before.
We burn 金紙 or 紙錢 to God or ancestors.
maybe you can call it paper money.(I'm not sure how can I translate it into English.)
Some foreigners said that is pretty, how do you think?
(I don't know, because I have seen it since I was little...)
Of course there are many kinds of it.
The photo just show one kind of 金紙.
The thing you should know is that 金紙 is for God, and 紙錢 is for people who died.
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The above are something about temple in Taiwan, hope you like it!
Next week, I'll show you other interesting thing in Taiwan!
See you next time, Bye bye!
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