Taoism in Taiwan

Like Confucianism, Taoism is a fundamental religious and philosophical tradition that has helped to shape Chinese life for more than 2,000 years.

The Taoist religion is noted for its polytheism. The old sages and philosophers, based on the advocacy of Huang-Lao (the Yellow Emperor and Lao Tzu) on wu wei (inaction), quiescence, and the unity of nature and man, created the philosophy of Taoism. Later, with the addition of magical arts of sheng shien (immortals), the Tao Chiao or Taoist religion gradually took shape.

In common usage tao means the "way," and by extension, a code of behavior and a doctrine. Taoist philosophy originated during the reign of Huang Ti (the Yellow Emperor). It is recorded in Chuang Tze that Huang Ti ascended to Heaven about 4,600 years ago, after he successfully mastered the essence of Taoism. When Lao Tzu compiled Tao-te Ching (Classic of the Way of Power), he expounded the spirit and canon of Taoism more fully.

In the second century AD, the first legendary celestial master, Chang Tao-ling, organized the Taoist religion into a formal system. He added mysterious cults including tien ting (imperial court), chu hsieh (banishing evil), chang sheng (longevity) and cheng hsien (immortality) to the original ideology.

Like many other religions, Taoism has an omnipotent god called Yuan Shih Tien Tsun (Celestial Worthy of the Original Beginning). He presides over an imperial court, in which lower deities have their own spheres of influence. Together with Ling Pao (Sacred Treasure) Tien Tsun and Tao Te (Way and Virtue) Tien Tsun, the triad is called Shang Ching (Three Pure Ones).

There are many celestial worthies connected with Taoism. Some of them, such as Yu Huang Shang Ti (Jade Sovereign God) were deified before the creation of heaven and earth. The first elements had souls which rose to become the five planets, and were thus divine. Many stars are also deified to oversee mundane affairs.

Man has to pass through the stage of personal sainthood to become divine, according to Taoism. Some deities, such as Tai Shan Lao Chun (Most Exalted Lord Lao), who is identified with Lao-tzu, and Kwanti, the God of War, became divine because of their noble deeds (fidelity, loyalty, justice and filial piety) while they were in human form.

As a religion, Taoism now has five major sects: Chi-Shan (Good Conduct), Chin-Tien (Classics), Tan-Ting (Alchemy), Fu-Lu (charms and Talismans) and Chan Yien (Prognosis). Each sect has been further broken down into innumerable denominations.

A unique feature of the Taoist creed is the practice of followers worshiping deities alongside their ancestors. This, coupled with patriotism and nationalism, is regarded as a ladder leading to sainthood. In addition, Taoism emphasizes freedom, equality, democracy, ethics and science. It was only natural that during the Han dynasty, the second celestial master, Chang Heng, invented an astronomical device called a hun tien yi (celestial globe), at a much earlier date than its equivalent in the West.

The tao tsang or canons (accepted texts) of all Taoist scriptures were divided into three tungs. The root meaning of the word tung is cave, but it also means "to communicate, to understand the mysteries." The term thus evokes the mysterious mountain grottoes, real or imaginary, harboring hidden revelations and dealings with the sacred powers.

To become a Taoist priest, one must be baptized, as in Christianity. A priest must also be ordained and given charms and amulets to become orthodox. Lay Taoists may keep the religious faith, but do not necessarily understand the canon and classics of Taoist religion.

Before the Chinese Communists occupied the mainland, there were some 318,000 Taoist temples, and 55 million Taoist devotees of the orthodox sect, of whom 6 million priests were recluse.

In China, it is sometimes difficult to separate Taoism from Buddhism. It was said in Sung Shih (the Sung Annals) that Emperor Tai Tzu of the Sung dynasty adopted the suggestion of a Taoist priest, Chen Po, that Taoism be made a national religion. Emperor Hui of the Sung dynasty extolled Taoism even more highly, on the ground that it contains nationalism in its text, thus providing relief from the spiritual setbacks stemming from constant invasions by northern tribes. Emperor Hui tried to banish all other religions. As Buddhism had too many adherents in China, however, he combined the creeds and rituals of the two religions into one. The tradition persists until today.

The growth of Taoism on Taiwan dates from the end of the Ming dynasty. Cheng Cheng-kung (Koxinga), in an attempt to capitalize on the nationalism inherent in Taoism, inaugurated several Taoist sects to pursue his plan to overthrow the Manchu rulers. Similar organizations were set up on the mainland. Later, when the Manchu court was conducting mop-up operations, Taoists on the mainland moved their headquarters to Taiwan, and the religion spread rapidly through the island. United under the religion, the Taoists organized more than 100 uprisings during the 200 years of Manchu rule.

Fearing that Taoism would inspire patriotism and nationalism among the local population, Japanese warlords disbanded Taoist organizations and closed down their temples after they occupied Taiwan. To protect themselves, the Taoists again hid their activities under the guise of Buddhism.

After the restoration of Taiwan to the Republic of China in 1945, Taoists renewed their religious activities and reopened their temples. They were reinforced by the arrival of Taoist priests and devotees after the fall of the Chinese mainland to the Communists in 1949.

Taoism thrives wherever its base, traditional Chinese culture, found. The best example is in present-day Taiwan, where the religion has, since about 1960, staged a renaissance. The orthodox Taoist priests in Taiwan preserve a vast liturgical heritage and still receive their rank in the Taoist church from the Celestial Master.

The National Taoist Association of the Republic of China was established in 1968, and the 63rd Celestial Master, Chang En-pu, who fled to Taiwan in 1949, was elected first president. Afterwards, the association launched such activities as compilation and publication of Taoist rituals and documents, dispatch of visiting missions to promote Taoism overseas, construction of Taoist temples, and assistance to Taoist sects in convening conferences.

In addition, since 1969, legislator Chao Chia-cho has been publicizing his great collection of Taoist texts all over the island. As a result, orthodox Taoist temples have been set up in Hualien, Ilan and Taichung. Statistics show that at present, Taiwan has 4,130 Taoist temples where some 247 gods are worshipped. The followers account for 67 percent of the total population of the island.

In the past, emphasis was placed on the construction of luxurious temples and on holding frequent pai pais (festivals) on a lavish scale. Today, adherents and priests pay more attention to preaching ideology through the mass media. In addition, Taoist temples use donations from worshippers to launch social welfare and relief projects. For instance, the Matsu (Goddess of the Sea) Temple in Peikang has built a modern hospital to serve the public. The Hsing Tien Temple (dedicated to Kuan Kung, a legendary hero from the 3rd century, who was deified) in Taipei has set up two large libraries.

In an atmosphere of full freedom of religion, Taoism prospers together with Buddhism, Protestantism, Catholicism and Islam in the Republic of China today.

[Picture Caption]

Left: Holder for draw sticks. Right: The Ling Hsiao palace at Chihnan Temple near Taipei.

1. The Taoist priests pray for the prosperity of the nation. 2. Carvings of mythological creatures can be seen on the walls of Taoist temples. 3. In Taiwan, Taoist templessuch as this are a common sight. 4-6. Exterior and interior of the libraries set up by the Hsing Tien Temple dedicated to Kuan Kung, a legendary hero from the 3rd century who was deified.

1. The Shan Ching Temple at Ilan features worship of the Three Pure Ones. 2. Worshippers chanting Taoist canons. 3. Nowadays, fruit, cookies and incense are used in ceremonies to pay homage to Taoist deities.

1. Bearing incense, worshippers murmur their prayers. 2. The Matsu (Goddess of the Sea) Temple in Peikang. 3. Pilgrimages to honor Matsu are led by two legendary figures Chien Li Yien (eyes that see a thousand miles), and Shun Feng Erh (ears that hear wherever the wind blows).

The Ling Hsiao palace at Chihnan Temple near Taipei.

The Taoist priests pray for the prosperity of the nation.

In Taiwan, Taoist templessuch as this are a common sight.

Exterior and interior of the libraries set up by the Hsing Tien Temple dedicated to Kuan Kung, a legendary hero from the 3rd century who was deified.

Exterior and interior of the libraries set up by the Hsing Tien Temple dedicated to Kuan Kung, a legendary hero from the 3rd century who was deified.

Exterior and interior of the libraries set up by the Hsing Tien Temple dedicated to Kuan Kung, a legendary hero from the 3rd century who was deified.

Bearing incense, worshippers murmur their prayers.

The Matsu （Goddess of the Sea） Temple in Peikang.

The Matsu （Goddess of the Sea） Temple in Peikang.

The Matsu （Goddess of the Sea） Temple in Peikang.

Pilgrimages to honor Matsu are led by two legendary figures Chien Li Yien （eyes that see a thousand miles）, and Shun Feng Erh （ears that hear wherever the wind blows）.

Pilgrimages to honor Matsu are led by two legendary figures Chien Li Yien （eyes that see a thousand miles）, and Shun Feng Erh （ears that hear wherever the wind blows）.