About folk customs, talk about religion.

The popularity and prevalence of folk beliefs in the Bay is an "island of many gods". Churches and temples are well-laid, with many believers. According to the official statistics of Taiwan Province Province, by 2000, there were 2 1 186 temples in Taiwan Province Province, with 49,658 clergy, 0.82 million followers, 0.926 foreign missionaries and 84 theological seminaries. There are more than 200 kinds of gods, mainly Guanyin, Mazu, Tuye, Sakyamuni, Guan Gong and Emperor Baosheng. Religious beliefs in Taiwan Province Province can be divided into three categories. The first is the primitive belief of Gaoshan people. The second is popular folk beliefs. Third, various formal religions.

The primitive belief of Gaoshan nationality

The Gaoshan people in Taiwan Province Province still retain their original religious beliefs, but they have also accepted many other new religious beliefs. Its sacrificial activities have primitive religious characteristics, such as Ami wrestling festival (1 early month), Cao Unity Festival (February 15), Bunun ear-beating festival (end of April), Ami exorcism ceremony (end of May), North-South Harvest Festival (early July), Ami priest festival, short spirit festival, and so on. Nowadays, many ceremonies have become the main programs of tourism.

February 15 every year is a day for Cao people to unite and sacrifice, hold a grand song and dance activity to meet the gods, and pray and thank the tribe's will with the structure of the God Corps. Legend has it that the Hundred Steps Snake is the ancestor of the Lukai people, so the Lukai people worship the pattern of the Hundred Steps Snake as a symbol of the ancestral spirit. Lukai people also have the "Harvest Festival" sacrificial activities. The traditional sacrificial activities of the Ami people are the "Harvest Festival" of various tribes, which generally starts at the end of the annual harvest period and lasts for one and a half weeks. At that time, Ah Mui, who can sing and dance well, will wear traditional costumes, sing and dance, drink and eat meat, and be knowledgeable. At the end of May every year, the Ami people also hold an exorcism ceremony, which is presided over by priests. The little boy holds betel nut leaves to drive away the ghost who eats rice and ensure a bumper harvest. In the early years, the Atayal people had the custom of stabbing people in the face. It is said that it can ward off evil spirits, make Huang Jun beautiful and represent ethnic groups. But now the younger generation of Atayal people have no habit of stabbing people. There are many sacrificial activities of Cao nationality, among which "victory sacrifice" and "unity sacrifice" (praying for blessings and thanking the gods for unifying the tribal will) are the most important. People in the north and south accepted modern civilization earlier, and some customs have been sinicized, but social organizations still maintain the hereditary leader system and belong to matriarchal society. In the past, the eldest daughter continued her family's house and property and married her husband's family. Generally, men hold their first adult ceremony at the age of 12- 13, and then enter the "youth club" in the village for "spartan training" to cultivate their physique and strength. Most women have to learn witchcraft. Sacrificial activities are also represented by the "Harvest Festival". Every year from mid-June to early July, organize song and dance activities according to age, thank the gods and celebrate the harvest. "Dwarf Sacrifice" is the most important traditional ritual activity of Xia Sai people, which is held every two years (1 1 at the beginning of the month). There are ceremonies and song and dance activities such as welcoming the spirits, delaying the spirits, entertaining the spirits, chasing the spirits and seeing them off, in order to thank and remember the legendary ancestor black dwarf.

Folk belief

Folk popular belief refers to a kind of folk belief which is widely believed by most people by combining general customs and habits. Folk beliefs are very popular in Taiwan Province Province. Generally speaking, it can be divided into three categories: heaven and earth, gods and buddhas, and ancestors, but different groups have different beliefs and worship. Basically, Quanzhou people mainly believe in Baosheng Emperor, Masataka Shimizu and Guo, Zhangzhou people worship Harmony, and Hakka people worship Sanshan King and Yimin Temple formed locally. On New Year's Day, weddings, funerals and celebrations, people will worship heaven, land, Buddha and ancestors. Among them, Mazu worship is the largest and most common folk belief in Taiwan Province Province.

Mazu belief. Mazu, commonly known as Molinyang, was born in Meizhou Island, Putian, Fujian on March 23rd in 960 (the first year of Song Taizu Stegosaurus). Because she didn't cry when she was born, she was named Mo Niang. There are seven brothers and sisters in the family, ranking the smallest. He is good at swimming since he was a child and has a kind heart. He often rescues fishermen in distress at sea and is loved by the people. At the age of 28, Mo Niang died of illness. To commemorate her, the villagers set up a temple fair in Meizhou Island and soon built a temple in Penghu, honoring her as "Tian Fei", "Shengfei" or "Mazu". After Zheng Chenggong recovered Taiwan Province Province, Mazu was also enshrined on the island of Taiwan Province Province, and was honored as the "Virgin". When the Qing Dynasty unified Taiwan Province Province, General Shi Lang led troops to Tianfei Palace in Penghu, which happened to be short of water in midsummer, making it difficult for soldiers to drink water. The next morning, the soldiers found that there was water in the well of Tianfei Palace and it was inexhaustible, so they thought it was the result of Mazu's epiphany. After Shi Lang unified Taiwan Province Province, Emperor Kangxi was asked to make Mazu the "Queen of Heaven", and people sacrificed Mazu more ceremoniously. Since then, many Mazu Tempel have been built in Taiwan Province Province. According to incomplete statistics, there are currently 383. Among them, the incense in the Chaotian Palace in Beigang is the most vigorous, and a grand Mazu parade around Beigang is held every year. Every year on March 23rd of the lunar calendar, good men and women who believe in Mazu flock to the Temple of Heaven in Yunlin North Port from all over Taiwan Province, and set off a grand pilgrimage for Mazu's birthday.

It is another big festival for Mazu in Dajia to return to her mother's house. Taijia Tianhou Temple in Taichung, every year in late spring and March, she will visit relatives in Tianhou Temple in Beigang and reunite with her parents, forming a sacrificial activity of "Daijia Mazu going back to her mother's house". At that time, hundreds of thousands of Mazu believers from all over Taiwan Province will gather in Dajia Town, Taichung, and visit relatives and friends in Tianhou Palace in Beigang with Mazu statues. After the ceremony, escort back to Dajia Town, with a round trip of 300 kilometers.

The biggest event is that Mazu believers return to Meizhou Island in Fujian to burn incense every year. At that time, Mazu believers from all over Taiwan Province gathered in Beigang and elected a "pilgrimage group" of thousands of people to worship Mazu's "golden body" and crossed the Taiwan Province Strait to make a pilgrimage to Meizhou, which was unprecedented. Around 1920, the Japanese colonial rulers ordered the cross-strait maritime traffic to be cut off, and Mazu believers had to sacrifice in Beigang. Shortly after the recovery of Taiwan, the two sides of the Taiwan Strait entered a period of military confrontation, and this pilgrimage failed to resume. It was not until the end of 1990s that people from Taiwan Province province broke through the restrictions of Taiwan Province provincial authorities and began to make pilgrimage to Meizhou Island in Fujian.

Lord Huang Cheng is on patrol. Every year, on the 13th of May in the lunar calendar, it is the birthday of Lord Huang in Xiahai City, Taipei, and there is a grand tour for Lord Huang, commonly known as "Bye-bye on the 13th of May". Huang Daren of Xiahaicheng, Taipei, was the county god of the Freshwater Hall in the Qing Dynasty. In the first year of Daoguang, he was invited to Taiwan from Tongan, Fujian Province, with many followers and a grand ceremony. When Lord Huang Cheng made a tour, he first held a ceremony to invite God, that is, invited Lord Huang Cheng and the gods to worship, placed them among the gods, and then set out. There are North-South wind bands, lion dance teams, believers and tourists on patrol, and the number is unprecedented.

Return home to worship ancestors. Every year on March 2 1 day of the lunar calendar, Tzu Chi Palace in Xuejia Town, Tainan will hold a large-scale ancestor worship ceremony in Upper Bai Jiao. On the one hand, I miss my ancestors in the mainland; On the other hand, the ancestral hall of Ciji Palace in Bai Jiao Township, Tongan County, Fujian Province was sacrificed. At that time, the Fujian subordinates who followed Zheng Chenggong to Taiwan specially invited the statue of Baosheng Emperor from Tzu Chi Palace in Bai Jiao Township, hoping to protect it with them and send it back to their hometown in the mainland in the future. They came to Xuejia Town and set up a temple to worship the statue of Baosheng the Great who sheltered them from coming to Taiwan. March 25th of the lunar calendar is the birthday of Emperor Baosheng every year. In order to give Emperor Baosheng enough time to cross the sea to worship his ancestors, the "White Reef Festival" was held four days in advance, that is, on March 21st of the lunar calendar. This festival has been going on for more than 300 years since Zheng Chenggong came to Taiwan, which fully shows the spirit of the Chinese nation's thinking of drinking water.

The ceremony of offering sacrifices to Confucius. Confucius, the most sacred teacher, occupies a very special position in the folk beliefs in Taiwan Province Province. Although Confucius' thoughts and images are deeply rooted in people's hearts, there are very few Confucius temples, only one in each county and city, which is too few compared with other gods. Confucius' sacrificial activities must be carried out in full accordance with the "ceremony of releasing rites" and cannot be changed at will, and the people cannot celebrate Confucius' birthday in other ways. The early ceremony of offering sacrifices to Confucius in Taiwan Province Province was held in Spring and Autumn, and later on September 28th every year, Confucius' birthday. At the beginning of the ceremony, first of all, with the sound of guns as a signal, the sacrificial personnel dressed in various ancient costumes were in place and began a series of complete ceremonies, including welcoming the gods, inviting sacrifices, initial sacrifices, final sacrifices, laying sacrifices and offering sacrifices to the gods. Among them, the most special and attractive is playing music and dancing.

Purdue in Mid-Autumn Festival. The fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month, commonly known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Yulan Festival and the Ghost Festival, is a day for Taiwan Province people to pay homage to their ancestors' souls, and it is also an extremely important festival for Taoism and Buddhism. On this festival, every household in rural areas of Taiwan Province Province will kill pigs and sheep, prepare extremely rich wine and meat sacrifices, worship ancestors and ghosts of the underworld, and hope to "purdue" sentient beings and the undead. On this festival, lanterns should be lit to guide ghosts to gather around the dead. If you invite ghosts in the water, you have to "turn on the water lights." Loi krathong in Taiwan Province Province is very common and grand in scale, but it is out of fashion now. This tradition still exists in Keelung, Hsinchu, Xinpu and Taoyuan. The way of paying homage is also different from the past. Every household no longer kills pigs and sheep, but mostly replaces them with flowers and fruits.

Religion in which Chinese and Western cultures coexist.

There are 14 official religions registered and organized in Taiwan Province Province according to law, which are Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Christianity, Catholicism, Datong, Tian Li, rationalism, Xuanyuan, Tiandi, Tiande, Yiguan, Baha 'i (Datong) and True Light.

In the early development of Taiwan Province Province, folk beliefs were mainly some religious beliefs introduced from the southern mainland. /kloc-In the 7th century, after the Dutch and Spanish successively occupied Taiwan Province Province, they began their missionary activities in the West. By the Ming and Qing Dynasties, except Catholicism and Christianity, other religious beliefs in Taiwan Province Province were unrestricted and religious activities developed. After the Opium War, Catholicism and Christianity began to spread in Taiwan Province Province. After the Japanese occupation of Taiwan Province Province, they implemented a religious policy of "respecting Shinto alone" and rejecting "heresy". For Islam, it is forbidden to slaughter cattle and sheep, and it is forbidden to hire imams from the mainland; Buddhism, Catholicism and Christianity were expelled, and the original missionaries were changed to Japanese control; For Taoism, preaching and belief are forbidden. At the same time, the development of religion is greatly influenced by "the temple gods ascend to heaven", the burning of idols and the confiscation of property.

After the recovery of Taiwan, normal religious activities were restored and developed. Taiwan's religious belief is free and develops rapidly, but at the same time, some new religions have emerged. In September of 20001year, the "Executive Yuan" of Taiwan Province Province passed the draft Law on Religious Organizations, which clearly divided religious organizations into three categories, namely, monasteries, temples, religious social organizations and religious foundations.

There are many kinds of religions in Taiwan Province, which can be divided into three categories according to their sources. First, China's traditional religions, such as Buddhism and Taoism, all originated in Chinese mainland; Second, it was introduced from foreign countries, such as Christianity and Catholicism; Third, it was founded locally in Taiwan Province Province, such as Xuanyuanmen and Heaven and Earth Society. Although the religious sources are different and there are great differences in doctrines and rules, they basically recognize and respect each other, and there are few conflicts between religions. Since 1990s, many new religious organizations and sects have appeared on the island of Taiwan Province Province, such as Neo-Confucianism, Neo-Confucianism, Salvation Sect, Tiangong Sect, Vacuum Sect, Existentialism, Scientific Humanism, Unification Sect and Mormonism.

Taoism. Taoism in Taiwan Province Province was introduced from the mainland. When Zheng Chenggong ruled Taiwan Province, Taoism had already appeared in the form of organization. 195 1 year, the 63rd Shi Tian Zhang Enpu initiated the establishment of the Taiwan Province Provincial Road Society. 1968 July, the so-called Daoist Society of the Republic of China was formally established. Apart from its headquarters in Taipei, Taoist House has three branches in Taiwan Province Province, Taipei City and Kaohsiung City, as well as branches in various counties and cities. By 2000, there were 8,604 Taoist temples in Taiwan Province Province, with 33,850 Taoist priests and 4.55 million followers. Taoism is a polytheistic religion and a Taoist temple in Taiwan Province Province. There are mainly Taoist gods such as Jade Emperor of Sanqing, Zhang Tianshi, Emperor Zhenwu and Lv Zu, as well as folk gods such as Baosheng Emperor, Sanshan King, Kaitai King and Zhang Kai King.

Buddhism. Buddhism has a history of more than 400 years in Taiwan Province Province. 1949, the "Chinese Buddhist Association" controlled by the Kuomintang moved to Taiwan Province, registered in accordance with the law in February 1950, and set up branches in various places. There are many Buddhist temples and followers in Taiwan Province. By 2000, according to official statistics, there were 4,065,438+00 Buddhist temples, with 9,304 Buddhist professionals and 3,675,000 followers. There are also many Buddhist colleges and publications in Taiwan Province Province. Among them, the Buddha's Light Society and Tzu Chi Moral Society are the two most influential Buddhist organizations in Taiwan Province Province. Formerly known as Foguangshan Temple, the Foguang Society was established in 1967, the Foguangshan Chaoshan Society in 1969, the China Foguang Society in 19 1, and the International Foguang Society in 1992. Master Xing Yun is the president of the World Association of the International Buddha Light Society and the honorary president of the World Buddhists Friendship Association. At present, Foguang Mountain has dozens of Dojo in Taiwan Province Province and 50 Dojo all over the world.

Tzu Chi Morality Society, founded by Master Yan Zheng, has become a worldwide Buddhist organization with branches all over the world. Located in Xincheng Township, Hualien County, Taiwan, the association is mainly engaged in charity. It has successively established Tzu Chi Hospital, Tzu Chi Nursing College and three foundations, with more than 3 million followers.

Islam. Also known as Islam. Islam in Taiwan Province Province was introduced from southern Fujian. After Zheng Chenggong resigned, Muslim soldiers began to build mosques in Taiwan Province, imitating Quanzhou Mosque in Fujian. During Japanese rule, Islam was attacked by Japanese colonial rulers, and its development was greatly restricted. After the Kuomintang withdrew from Taiwan Province, about 20,000 Muslims came to Taiwan Province. 1950, the "Muslim Youth League" in Taiwan Province Province founded the "Cultural Mosque", which became a place for Muslims to recite scriptures, worship and pray. There are six mosques in Taipei, Taoyuan and Kaohsiung. Imams are responsible for spreading teachings and holding Arabic writing workshops. By 2000, there were 53,000 Muslims and 34 clergy.

Catholicism. 16 19, the Spanish Dominican godfather went to Taiwan to preach with the Spanish invading army, and Catholicism was introduced into Taiwan Province province. 1952, the holy see moved its embassy in China from Hongkong to Taiwan Province, and built a large number of churches to attract more believers. From 65438 to 0976, Catholicism formally established "China Anglican College" in Taiwan Province Province. Taiwan Catholicism has seven parishes and two acting parishes, Penghu and Jinma. By 2000, there were 1 193 churches in China, with 693 clergy, 304,000 followers and 664 foreign missionaries. Among them, Wanjinzhuang Innocent Original Sin Cathedral in Kaohsiung Diocese was named "Pontifical Temple" by Pope John Paul II. Catholicism has established theological seminaries, 24 schools, 22 hospitals (clinics) and 9 publishing houses in Taiwan Province Province.

Christianity. After the Dutch East India Company occupied Taiwan Province Province, 1627, the Dutch Reformed Church pastor was hired to preach in Taiwan Province, and Christianity was introduced to Taiwan Province Province. 1949 After the Kuomintang withdrew from Taiwan, Christian sects such as Methodist Church, Baptist Church, Anglican Church, God Society and Presbyterian Church moved to Taiwan one after another. By 2000, there were 3,857 churches in Taiwan Province, with more than 3,000 clergy, more than 65,438 foreign missionaries and 593,000 followers. There are 29 theological seminaries, 62 schools, 29 medical institutions and 78 publishing houses. Its branch, Taiwan Province Presbyterian Church, is a religious group advocating the independence of Taiwan Province Province.

Xuanyuanjiao 1957 was founded by Wang Hansheng, a member of the old CC faction of the Kuomintang. It is based on the tenet of "following the Taoism of Xuanyuan Huangdi, restoring the inherent religion in China" and "inspiring the soul of the Chinese nation", the creed of "respecting the ancestors of heaven", the theoretical basis of "the homology of Confucianism, Mohism and Taoism", the highest realm of "harmony between man and nature" and the practice of "developing national culture, purifying real life and improving spiritual life". The Sect takes Xuanyuan Huangdi as the patriarch, the missionaries call it "Zongshe", and the believers convert to "Guizong". Headquartered in Guisui Street, Taipei, it is known as the "Holy Land of the Yellow Emperor". By 2000, there were 265,438+0 religious societies with 65,438+050 faculty members and 65,438+050 followers.

Datong is also called Baha 'i or Datong Baha 'i. /kloc-0 was founded in Persia (present-day Iran) in 844,/kloc-0 was introduced into Taiwan Province province from the mainland in 947, and/kloc-0 was registered as a legal entity in 970. The basic doctrine of this religion is that there is a supernatural creator in the universe, and all religions are essentially the same. It advocates the life principle of "work is worship, service is prayer". The Academic Affairs Office is responsible for dozens of local "spiritual societies" and "general spiritual societies" in Taiwan Province Province, which are elected by believers on a regular basis. By 2000, there were 62 foreign clergy and 654.38+600,000 believers.

Shinrikyo was founded by the Japanese in 1838, and later spread to many parts of the world. The religion believes in the god of parents, Honormido, and believes that "the purpose of the god of parents to create human beings is to see the healthy life of human beings and achieve the realm of happiness between God and man". This religion was introduced to Taiwan Province Province in 1896, and its early activities were mainly in Taibei and Chiayi. After Japan surrendered, most priests were repatriated to Japan, and church activities were in a state of stagnation for a long time. 1962, Japanese missionaries went to Taiwan Province again to resume missionary activities. 197 1 year, "China Tenrikyo Association" was formally established in Taiwan Province Province, but the real power is still in the hands of the Japanese church. By 2000, there were 65,438+050 missionary schools with 24,000 believers and 32 foreign missionaries.

Rational education. Also known as "rational teaching". As a traditional folk religion in China, it was founded by Yang Lairu, a scholar in the late Ming Dynasty. During the Japanese occupation, the Methodist Church officially began to preach in Taiwan Province Province, and then stopped its activities. 1950, the head of the church, Zhao, called the believers in Taiwan to teach again and set up a general altar in Taipei. Zhao was elected as the 22nd generation "general leader who promotes exorcism". Avalokitesvara is the deity of the patriarch, taking "Wang Lun's Eight Virtues" as the doctrine, "lewdness, theft, smoking, madness and drinking" as the precept, emphasizing "double cultivation of life, internal and external skills, taking Confucian dogma as the criterion for joining the WTO, and taking Zen meditation, Buddhism and Taoism as the birth process". The main classics are the wordless Sutra, the Reference Sutra, the Heart Sutra, the Diamond Sutra and the Tao Te Ching. By 2000, there were 13 1 missionary places, with 638 teaching staff and 0/87000 followers.