Religion in Taiwan

A wide diversity of religions can be found on Taiwan, due to its multicultural history, and religious freedom written in the constitution.

History

The original taiwanese aborigine tribes traditionally practice nature worship. With the arrival of the Dutch in 1624, Protestant Christianity was introduced to Taiwan via missionaries. The first converts were aborigines. Two years later with the arrival of the Spanish, Catholicism was introduced into Taiwan. The Japanese brought Shinto to Taiwan during the Japanese colonial period which began in 1895. Chinese migrants brought Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism with them to the island over a few centuries of immigration and settlement. In the last half century, Taiwan has also been a safe haven for religions banned in neighboring People's Republic of China, such as Falun Gong and Yi Guan Dao.

Religions

People praying at Longshan Temple in Taipei

Incense is commonly used in Taoist prayer

People visit a modern Buddhist temple in Ilan County

Blended Religion: Buddhism, Taoism, and Folk Religion

According to the ROC Interior Ministry figures, there are about 11.2 million religious believers in Taiwan, approximately half the population, with more than 75% identifying themselves as Buddhists, Taoists, or practitioners of Chinese folk religion. It is common for people to practice a blend of the three. Many people practice Buddhism exclusively, but those who practice Taoism more often blend Taoist religious practices with elements from Buddhism and folk traditions. It is not uncommon to find a Buddhist temple adjacent to a Taoist temple, or even under the same roof. One example of this is Longshan Temple in Taipei City. Religious diversity has never been a significant source of conflict in Taiwan.

Besides large temples, small outdoor shrines to local deities are very common, and can be spotted on road sides, parks, and neighborhoods in Taiwanese cities and towns. These small pockets of religious atmosphere let people stop by and pray informally anytime. Many homes and businesses may also set up small shrines of candles, figurines, and offerings. Some restaurants, for example, may set up a small shrine to the Kitchen god for success in a restaurant business. Students may visit a shrine to the Learning god for good luck before a test.

Taoist temples are highly decorative. Colorfully tiled sculptures of dragons and other mythological creatues highlight the roof, and temples are often filled with statues of many gods and semi-theistic historical figures, reflecting the polytheistic and ancestor worhipping tradition of Taoism and folk religion.

Festivities and picnics often take place at Taoist temples.

Buddhism

Buddhism was introduced to Taiwan in the late 1500s with the Chinese immigration. Several forms of Buddhism has thrived on Taiwan ever since. During the Japanese occupation, Japanese Buddhism was the dominant sect. After the Japanese left, Mahayana Buddhism as practiced by the Chinese regained popularity. Tibetan Buddhism, Tantric Buddhism also have followers in Taiwan.

Tzu Chi, one of the largest international non-profit Buddhist organizations, was founded in Taiwan by Venerable Master Cheng Yen (證嚴法師). They focus on community service, outreach programs, charity work, and international humanitarian efforts. They have opened hospitals, community centers, schools, and Tzu Chi University in Hualien County.

Confucianism

Confucianism, although not a religion in the western sense but a moral philosophy and ethical code, has been a major influence on the ideology, ethics, education, and everyday values of the Taiwanese. Confucianism has been a foundation for Chinese society and government since the sixth century B.C., and was spread to Taiwan with the migration of Chinese settlers over the past four hundred centuries. Confucian temples are not places of worship, but rather memorial halls honoring Confucius, regarded as the greatest teacher in ancient China. Confucius's birthday is celebrated as Teacher's Day every September 28.

Christianity

Christian churches have been active on Taiwan for many years, and today the island has more than 600,000 Christians, a majority of whom are Protestant.

Summary:

• Mixture of Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist 93%;
• Christian 4.5%
• Other 2.5%

See also

• Buddhism
• Taoism
• Confucianism
• Protestant Christianity
• Catholicism
• Shinto

Links

Introduction to Religion in Taiwan