Jan 10th, 2025 Friday Cloudy
What is the most noteworthy building in Taiwan?
While this island boasts many attractions, architecture does not seem to be the reason that draws visitors internationally. It has no Great Wall, Taj Mahal, Louvre, Sydney Opera House, or Giza Pyramid. Most buildings that I saw were built practically, as residence, office space, or shopping areas. I would say they were generally pleasing to the eye, yet not memorable.
Except for the various temples.
Temples in Taiwan dated back several centuries, as the earliest immigrants brought their folk beliefs with them. Later influences added gods/goddesses/sages from different religions and tales. The outcome is a “salad bowl” temple that hosts scores of figures inspired by Confucianism, Taoism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and historical heroes, all under the same roof. You can find a temple like this in every district, and every city, and they are usually nestled in a neighborhood, next to shops and homes.
You will not miss them though, because they stand out. Given the age and the frequent natural disasters in this area (e.g. it seems that on average seven typhoons strike each year), you might expect that these temples should be a little bit run down. On the contrary, not only are they well-conserved, but the designs and arts also light up the scenery. Meticulously carved statues that carry auspicious meanings decorate the gate, walls, beams, ceilings, and facades. The vibrant colors and lively depictions of stories on all the paintings – 2D and 3D – showcase the skills of the craftsmen. What is the most amazing, is that these features are not limited to a few well-known tourist spots – rather, ALL of the temples that I came across, mostly unintentionally in a street corner or next to a train station, display the same amount of care in their preservation.
How is that possible? How much taxes do people have to pay to cover all these costs?
Surprisingly, very little if any. The temples are classified as non-profit institutions and operated by a board. The funds to keep up with the maintenance and sometimes upgrading or expansion are largely from the believers, who bring all sorts of gifts to pay their homage and pray for everything that could use some luck (relationship, career, business, exams, pregnancy, etc.). Conveniently, they can finish all their worshiping rituals in a single trip by going over to each stall, where the god/goddess/sage in charge of a specific realm resides.
We watched quietly as many of the regular guests knelt down piously, eyes closed, made their kowtow, and switched to the next booth. And I could not help marvel at the power of beliefs.
These people must truly believe the help of some supernatural forces is what will assist them in their endeavor. And their willingness to contribute to the temples demonstrates the strength of their faith. The collective pooling of resources from thousands of people keep these temples prosperous.
Is that superstition? Not so simple.
Even with the advancement of science, there are still countless things about the world and about life that we do not fully understand, and science is not the best in instilling meaning in life events, like the death of a loved one. We NEED the guidance from a trusted, impartial source, be it Buddha, Bodhisattva, Mazu, or Koxinga.
We all walk our own paths, but knowing the blessing and counseling of some more powerful being is readily available is always comforting, isn’t it?