Religious Beliefs and Practices in Taiwan
Taoism, Buddhism. and Christianity are Common Taiwanese Religions
Sep 28, 2009
Religion is inescapable among the Taiwanese. Evidence of religion is found everywhere in Taiwan. Not only are there thousands of temples throughout Taiwan, there are also shrines in the majority of Taiwanese homes and stores, and cars, particularly taxis, are adorned with religious icons.
Most Taiwanese do not focus on one God, but on a pantheon of gods and goddesses. Religious practice in Taiwan includes a mixture of Buddhist and Taoist deities, and an assortment of historical figures are also worshiped.
The primary religions practiced in Taiwan are Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and Christianity.
Confucianism in Taiwan
Though most view Confucianism as philosophy rather than religion, it is nonetheless a common component of Taiwanese religion. Confucianism was founded by Kong Zi (551 - 479 BC), who is known as "Confucius" in the West. Confucius was a scholar and teacher in what is now known as Shandong, China.
Confucius taught that happiness is achieved and the transformation of society takes place when people follow a strict moral code that is based on social values.
Although viewed as more philosophy than religion, Confucian temples have been erected to commemorate Confucius and also to facilitate the performance of rituals. The sayings of Confucius are compiled in the Analects. Confucianism was almost completely abandoned in China after 1949, but it still thrives in Taiwan today.
Taoism in Taiwan
The founder of Taoism (pronounced Daoism), Lao Zi was a contemporary of Confucius. Lao Zi's writings found in the Tao Te Ching were later expounded on by Zhuang Zi.
There are two primary streams of Taoism: philosophical Taoism and religious Taoism, with philosophical Taoism being more contemplative while religious Taoism is characterized by superstition. Religious, superstitious Taoism is what is most commonly practiced in Taiwan. Most Taiwanese worship a mixture of Taoist and Buddhist deities.
Buddhism in Taiwan
Buddhism was actually founded in India by Prince Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BC). It is believed that he attained enlightenment in 528 BC. At that time he became known as Buddha which means, "enlightened one."
After Buddha's death, his followers divided into two primary schools of thought: Theravada, which is common in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia and Mahayana which is most common in Northeast Asia and Taiwan. Mahayana Buddhism is mixed with Taoism and Confucianism. The primary difference between Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism is that Mahayana Buddhists believe in multiple Buddhas.
Buddhist monasteries were started in Taiwan during the Japanese occupation and have grown since that time. At present Taiwan has one of the highest populations of Buddhist monks in Asia.
Christianity in Taiwan
There are over 1 million Christians in Taiwan today with the majority being Protestant. Christianity first came to Taiwan in 1624 via the Dutch East India Company. Dutch people, including missionaries, were driven out of Taiwan in 1662 by Ming loyalist during the war of resistance against the Manchus.
Catholicism returned to the southern part of Taiwan in 1859 through Rev. Fernando Sainz . In the 1860s Presbyterian missionaries expanded Christianity primarily through education and medical relief work.
Today Catholicism in Taiwan is most dominant among indigenous peoples since the initial missionary work was done primarily among the aborigines.
Protestant churches in Taiwan today are represented by more than 50 denominations. In addition to denominations founded in Western countries, Taiwan has it's own network of independent Christian churches. Those founded after 1949 most commonly include the Mandarin Church and the Bread of Life Christian Church.
References:
Keeling, Stephen and Minnigh, Brice. The Rough Guide to Taiwan. New York, London, Delhi: Rough Guides, 2007
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