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- How is religious freedom guaranteed in Taiwan?
Freedom of religion is the constitutional right of every citizen in Taiwan. Article 13 of the Constitution states that "the people shall have freedom of religious beliefs." Members of any religious faith are free to congregate and introduce their belief system to others. To be recognized, however, religious groups must register with the Ministry of the Interior and meet certain requirements regarding membership size and number of places of worship.
- What are the common religious beliefs of the people in Taiwan?
Numerous religions flourish in Taiwan's tolerant and diverse cultural climate. Active religions in Taiwan include Buddhism, Taoism, I-kuan Tao, Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, Hsuan-yuan Chiao, Li-ism, Tenrikyo, Bahaism, Tien Dih Chiao, and Tien Te Chiao.
Traditional religion in Taiwan is a polytheistic blend of ancestor worship, religious Taoism, Buddhism, and folk religions. Many people have religious altars in their homes, and shopkeepers can be seen making offerings in front of their shops during certain days each month.
Buddhism is the most popular institutionalized religion in Taiwan, and approximately 3.67 million individuals identify themselves as Buddhists. There are nearly 4,010 Buddhist temples in the Taiwan area.
Taoism borrows strongly from folk traditions and is viewed as an indigenous religion. Today, Taoism has about 4.55 million followers in Taiwan.
Christianity has long been influential in Taiwan, and efforts by Christian missionaries in Taiwan continue today. At present, some 593,000 residents of Taiwan are Protestant while another 298,000 are Catholic. There are also five mosques serving 54,000 Muslims in Taiwan.
One important development has been the rise of new religions in Taiwan, which appeal to people seeking to reaffirm their religious and moral beliefs in the face of rapid social change. I-kuan Tao and Tien Te Chiao are prime examples, with the two having around 845,000 and 200,000 adherents, respectively.
- How did Buddhism develop in Taiwan?
Immigrants from Fujian and Guangdong introduced Buddhism into Taiwan in the late 16th century. Buddhist missionary work was limited in scope until the beginning of Japanese colonial rule in 1895. In the 1920s, midway through the Japanese occupation, several Japanese Buddhist sects came to Taiwan to proselytize and were quite influential in the areas of moral codes, disciplinary codes, and education. Since 1945, however, Buddhist practices on the island have gradually returned to Chinese forms of Buddhism, due in large part to the efforts of monks and nuns from China. Since 1980, exiled Tibetan monks of the Tantric sect have been instrumental in popularizing Tantric Buddhism, which has significantly affected Taiwan's religious culture.
- What are the important features of Taoism?
Religious Taoism developed from a philosophic system based upon the writings
of Lao Tzu, who lived in the sixth century B.C. He emphasized
individual freedom, minimal government, human spontaneity,
and mystical experiences. Taoist philosophy takes The Classic
of the Way and Its Power as its central text. Today, Taoist
believers emphasize good moral conduct, consult and provide
offerings to numerous deities, and conduct ceremonies to ensure
a smooth and harmonious life. A huge pantheon of deities and
immortals are worshiped, including folk heroes, famous generals,
and sages.
- Is Confucianism a religion?
For more than 2,500 years, the ethical system of Confucianism has influenced the social mores of Asia, particularly China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and some countries in Southeast Asia.
Much of Confucian theory concerns principles for the cultivation of an ethical life, whereby their practice leads to harmonious relationships with others. It does not assert the existence of a deity. Therefore, Confucianism is viewed as a philosophy rather than a religion, and Confucian temples are halls to honor Confucius, rather than places of worship. Regardless of their religious affiliations, most people in Taiwan base their moral conduct on Confucian principles.
Confucianism is based on the premise that mankind is essentially altruistic. Consequently, most of Confucius' views on politics, economics, morality, and education take this notion as their starting point. A main tenet of Confucian thought is that moral cultivation of the individual leads to an orderly family, and consequently, to a harmonious society. Social roles and obligations are strongly emphasized.
Confucian thought continues to influence education in Taiwan, and an elaborate ceremony is held every year at Taiwan's Confucian temples on his birthday (September 28), which is also Teacher's Day.
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