Temples of Taiwan

Temples, you will find them all over Taiwan, probably the only thing you’ll find more in this beautiful country are convenience stores. From big and impressive, to small but with a very active following and tiny shrines along trials in the mountains.

Religion is big in Taiwan, even though the place is a secular state where religion is not actively mixed with the government.

When I tell people I participate in Taiwanese religion, the first question is always “what are you? Buddhist?” and the answer is not a quick easy one. Taiwanese religion is a complicated mix between Buddhism, Taoism and folk religion. Which means that no I’m not Buddhist, but I do pay respects to Buddhist deities like Guan Yin.