Number of temples grows in Taiwan

In July's 28 printed edition of Taipei times there is short article with a statistics (I love statistics, there is a real life behind it), about number of temples in Taiwan.

Fow now, as Ministry of Interior says there is 14,993 temples in Taiwan. And there definetly is, because wherever you go you in Taiwan, you will find one - small and big - they are just everywhere, you can stumble upon one even in the middle of rice field.

If the nation has about 20 million residents, that means there is 1 temple for each 1500 people. Is that much? In my opinion, it's very much... however, I do not have data to compare for example with Cambodia or Lao, or India.

At the end of last year Taiwan had 11,731 temples and 3262 churches.

78.4 % percent are Taoist temples - there is not only Taoist folk deities but also Buddha, and also Buddhas Goddess Guanyin. Which part of the Taiwan have biggest density of temples. It's southern Taiwan, and Tainan county is a leader with 1245 temples, and then comes Kaohsiung 1142 and Pingtung county with 1068.

Taipei however has most of Taiwan's churches 432, and then of course next place where you will find more churches is at east side - Hualien county alone has 300 churches. And really, if you happen to be driving in east side of Taiwan - density of temples drops, they are very rarely seen.

Protestant churches outnumber Catholic churches by 3 to 1.

Let's juice up the the post with some of examples of temples in Taiwan - seeing is believing.

This temple can be found in beautiful mountains somewhere in Miaoli county - do not ask me exactly where though. But views are realy great - just look at this:











Closer view



Those are used for getting answers yes or no. Ask something with a question yes or no, and throw 2 pieces on a ground, and depending on how they land you will have instant answer from God.



To easy for you? For more detailed answers look for such shelves - together with numbered sticks (you should take 1 from many), which shows which card you should read, they provide more insights in your future.



Nothing different with horoscopes - if you believe in this, then you also should believe in those cards.

Comments

[Joe Stats]

You write that "there [are] 14,993 temples in Taiwan" and "At the end of last year Taiwan had 11,731 temples." This implies that the number has increased by 28% (3,262 new temples) in the last half year, which seems unlikely.

[Author]

Joe: that's what in Tapei Times article was. I would assume that temples was already there, just they got registration and official status

[London Caller]

Damn it, I can't even remember what we call those "Yes or No" thingummy!?

[Geotacs]

interesting post

thanks for sharing