Taipei City Government

Does Chungyuan Festival (Chinese Ghost Festival) have to be about ghosts?

Taipei City Buddhist Implement Industry Association has broken the rules and hosted the “2019 Deities’ Taipei City Parade – Dashi X Journey to the West: Worship from All Gods,” inviting adults and children dressed up as Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and immortals from other mythologies to take a stroll on Buddhist Implement Street.

In addition to culture and history guided tours and traditional DIY craftsmanship that have been hugely popular in recent years, religion experts have also been invited to speak on the basics of the Chungyuan Festival, and a national treasure master has also attended the event to unveil his sculpture piece “Dashi God.” A century-old carving technique was once again made alive, inviting all to witness the cultural ambiance and exquisite arts of the Buddhist implement industry.

The Taipei City Office of Commerce (TCOOC) said that Taipei City’s Buddhist implement industry has had a long history; the “Buddhist Implement Street” on Xiyuan Road and Bade Road by Wanhua’s Longhshan Temple has especially been recognized as a living record of Taipei City’s Buddhist implement industry. Not only are there businesses spanning three-generation and century-old shops, the area has also nurtured many national treasure master sculptors who have been guarding Taiwan’s traditional religion industry with their extraordinary craftsmanship.

The Taipei City Buddhist Implement Industry Association has also been devoted tirelessly to the development of Buddhist implements, hosting many Buddhist implement industry related events to foster local culture. To give new thinking and new methodology to the religion industry, the organization has further brought in the innovative idea of “Chinese mythology cosplay.” Through dressing up as the immortals in the myths, the organization hopes to attract participation from city residents. And by integrating creative concepts with the religion industry cultures, it vows to pass down culture and make them naturally a part of everyone’s life.

Chairman Chang Chen-hua of the Taipei City Buddhist Implement Industry Association pointed out that religious belief has always been closely related to Taiwan’s culture. More than upholding its insistence on publicizing the cultures of Buddhist implement industry, the Association has also been actively transforming itself and developing new products, such as small cultural and creative religious accessories, immortal dolls in cute interpretations, and other small cultural and creative items. The Association’s efforts have altered people’s serious stereotypical impressions of folk religions, conveyed the friendly side of Buddhist cultural artifacts, and attracted many international tourists and local consumers to make purchases. In the future, it is hopes that more passionate young people will join the force and learn the superior craftsmanship from masters so that traditional arts industry and techniques of Buddhist implements can be preserved.

Today’s “Chinese Mythology Cosplay Competition” has attracted many adults and children to dress up as Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, Buddha, Bull Demon King, and other immortals to compete with one another in cuteness. The first place winner even took a prize home worth NTD 3,000! Also, in light of the upcoming Chungyuan Festival, religion experts were invited to explain the Ghost Festival’s worship methods and other basic knowledge, making the next generation familiar with the tradition of paying respects to ghosts and deities and also of worshipping ancestors. On the other hand, there were also culture and history guided tours providing detailed yet uncomplicated information on century-old shops, Herb Lane, and other famous sites, as well as traditional DIY arts experience where masters taught first-hand the fun of wood carving.

Everyone is welcome to visit Xiyuan Road’s Buddhist Implement Street to experience the vitality of the Buddhist implement industry! For more detailed event information, please visit 2019 Deities’ Taipei City Parade – Buddhist Implement Century-Old Classic Industry Cultural Festival Facebook fan page (https://goo.gl/CKcQE2) or TCOOC – I’m a Businessman (https://www.facebook.com/tcooc) Facebook fan page.