Center for Multi-cultural Studie

Time: 2021. 4. 14 (Wednesday) 14:00-16:00

Speaker: Lin, Mei-Rong

Location: Conference room on the 7th floor, College of Liberal Arts, National Cheng Kung University

Folk beliefs are often regarded as a mixture of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. Basically, folk beliefs may not always be viewed from this mixed view, for the following reasons: (1) The integration of three religions or five religions is actually a characteristic of Chinese sectarian religions, while folk beliefs are by no means sectarian religions. (2) This is a saying that only looks at the appearance but not the inside. Many people have seen that in some folk temples, in addition to the main gods and deputy gods, there are Confucius, Mencius,  Wenchang, Lingxiao Temple, or Sakyamuni Buddha, and have seen books on Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism in the good bookcases of the temples, this idea of syncretism is born; and this also means the blurred fog of pluralism.

The folk beliefs of the Han people are basically a diffuse religion, that is, folk beliefs actually spread to many aspects of life, such as politics, economy, society, art, entertainment, etc. The infiltration of folk beliefs can be seen at almost any level. Folk belief is also a kind of belief pattern based on the nationality, culture, and habits of the Han nationality. It has its own independent personality and essence, and it is by no means the same as Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. Its independent personality is mainly manifested in: (1) An anthropocentric view of the universe. (2) Regional sacrificial organizations and sacrificial activities. (3) Material basis of agricultural society. Because the foundation of society is very solid, folk beliefs have a strong openness and can accommodate elements of different religions.

This speech attempts to observe the change and unchange of folk beliefs from the perspective of metaphysical belief concepts, specific organizational activities, and corresponding technical and material foundations.