Characteristic of Folk Religion in Taiwan

The folk religion of Taiwan has been influenced by Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Not exactly as a mix, but as a comprehension of different theologies (Yung-meng Wu, 2003:83). Amongst these, Confucianism emphasizes filial piety and promotes ancestor worship. Taoism influences the concept of praying, and stresses the actual benefits to life from the ceremonial rituals conducted by Taoist monks. The influence of Buddhism includes the concept of karma, reincarnation, and that bad deeds, as well as good, may rebound on the doer. This is where the ideas of Yama and hell come from.

    In addition, the folk religions in Taiwan are mostly based on the worship of many different deities. The source of this has been traced to the animistic beliefs of the Han-Chinese (Fang-yüan Tung 1982:96, cited from Li-cheng lu 1992:9-10) that divides Gods into heavenly and earthly deities and ghosts and spirits (Lili Tzeng 1982:442-443). Heavenly gods and earthen deity are both natural worship. The emperor of heaven is the God of the universe who supervises the Gods of the sun, moon, stars, wind, rain, and lightning, as well as the five directional Gods of east, west, south, north, and center. The organization of the heavenly court is similar to the administrative structure of past emperors. The earthly deities include states, mountains, forests, rivers. The deity of states is the Earth Deity (Tudigong). The worship of spirits includes the worship of ancestors, ghosts and gods. After death, those with successors and who are being worshipped would be transformed from house ghost to ancestor; those without successors would become lingering ghosts, and Lonely Ghosts if worshipped by man. Those who have contributed to the community and are worshipped by the public can be promoted to Gods. Spirit worship incorporates fetishism and includes animals and plants as well as some non-living things. Tiger Gods, Tree Gods and Stone Gods belong here. Although each group usually have their own selection in this category, they are not fixed; new objects of veneration can be added at any time.