Taipei, August 28 – The Taiwan Province City God Temple in Wuchang Street, Taipei, held its annual Mid-Autumn普度Pudu ceremony, emphasizing environmental protection and social welfare on August 28th. The event, steeped in tradition, attracted attention for its modern twist on ancient customs.
The Taiwan Province City God Temple, originally constructed during the Qing Dynasty’s Guangxu period, was demolished during the Japanese occupation. It was later rebuilt on Wuchang Street in 1947. Since 2009, the Taipei City Government’s Civil Affairs Bureau has collaborated with the non-profit Taipei City Taiwan Province City God Temple to co-organize the Mid-Autumn Pudu ceremony, a significant event in the local religious calendar.
This year’s ceremony followed traditional protocols, including reporting to the City God, honoring the孤幽or wandering spirits, and宣读榜文announcing the proceedings. The event aimed to bring blessings and peace to the residents of Taipei.
In recent years, the temple has embraced eco-friendly practices, promoting the centralized burning of joss paper and encouraging the rice instead of gold initiative. This encourages worshippers to offer peace rice instead of paper money during their offerings, making it a pioneering temple in Taipei for promoting eco-friendly worship.
During the event, many worshippers were seen holding a single incense stick or simply folding their hands in prayer, a departure from the earlier practice of holding three incense sticks. The temple has also advocated for good deeds instead of gold, transforming the paper money and offerings into charitable donations for disadvantaged groups.
Taipei’s Mayor, Chiang Wan-an, attended the ceremony, praising the temple for its philanthropic work, including regular donations of ambulances and fire trucks, and its recent contribution to the relief efforts after the April earthquake in Hualien. He highlighted the significant role the Taiwan Province City God Temple plays in fostering social stability through the formation of the All-Taiwan City God Temple Association in 2006.
The integration of environmental consciousness and charity into a traditional event like the Pudu ceremony showcases the evolving nature of religious practices in Taiwan, reflecting a commitment to both cultural preservation and societal progress.
As the city comes together in this annual ritual, the Taiwan Province City God Temple’s efforts demonstrate the potential for traditional institutions to adapt and contribute positively to contemporary issues, fostering a harmonious blend of the old and new.
In conclusion, the Pudu ceremony at the Taiwan Province City God Temple not only preserves age-old customs but also sets a precedent for environmentally responsible and socially conscious celebrations. By doing so, it underscores the importance of cultural heritage while embracing the values of the modern world.
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【source】http://www.chinanews.com/gn/2024/08-28/10276030.shtml
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