Over my two trips to Taiwan (May and July) I went to two different temples. They seemed to represent two different sides of Taiwan and two different sides of worship in that country.
The first example was part of my group trip with my colleagues – a temple set high on a mountain that was created to awe. The floors sparkled and the statues of the guardians towered over the people who were inside. It was probably the largest and cleanest temple I have ever been in. People walked around in hushed silence – though most of the visitors were groups who followed guides with little flags.

The temple was so large I couldn’t get the entire thing in my shot

Gold leaf and temple guardians

Frightening lion by the door

Enormous multi-headed guardian inside
When I confirmed the name with my colleagues, I got confused – it actually is called the Zhong Tai Mountain museum (中台山博物院)- but it is also a working temple.

Wishes floating to the ceiling like balloons

Beautiful tiled floors – spotless!

The Buddha – meditating

Holy individuals – larger than life
The grounds outside the temple were manicured – a golden bridge crossed a small pond where we posed for an occasional photo in the mid-afternoon heat. I was in awe of the surroundings and the peace at the temple – very different from the typical experience at a temple in China. We didn’t have enough time to visit both the temple part and the museum part, but I tried to absorb the peace and serenity that existed – even though it seemed just a little too squeaky clean.
The second temple was Longshan temple (Dragon Mountain Temple – 龙山寺) that is in downtown Taipei. It was on the subway line and one of the top tourist sights in Taipei. When I went though – it didn’t feel that there were any tourists at all – just me. I snapped a few photos of the outside of the temple – an obviously historic building with lots of character and lots of people!

The entrance gate at Longshan temple

Intricately painted walls at Longshan temple

The double dragons dancing over the entrance

A peaceful waterfall near the entrance
By chance I had arrived there at the same time as they were finishing an afternoon set of prayers. In addition to the many monks who were seated in the main body of the temple, over 100 people in street clothes were following along and chanting prayers and sayings with the monks. The smell of incense hung in the air. I felt out of place taking photos, so I decided to put my camera away and just enjoy the spirituality in the area, hoping it would soak in to me.
I have been to lots of temples over the last several years, but this was the first one that I visited where it felt like ordinary people were participating in the life of the temple in more than writing wishes on a page or making a donation. The temple had obviously been there for a long time, but it was neat and clean. People inside were very polite – letting others towards the front or offering lights for the incense. I am not a Buddhist, but it felt like some place I could feel comfortable in – a local temple, for the people who live nearby.
I thought the two temples summed up Taiwan for me – a city with many shiny new things – Taipei 101 – as well as a deep respect for history and culture found in the politeness of the people, the food and the worship.
I liked Taiwan. It was a wonderful transition before the end of my long trip. Taipei especially seemed very familiar – almost as if I had been there before – enough differences to make me notice, but enough similarities to mainland China that I still felt at home. I would recommend a visit to anyone looking for a view of what China may become.
Have you been to Taiwan? Do you have any feelings about temples and how they represent a people?
Tags: Buddhist temple, Longshan temple, Taiwan, temples, Zhong Tai Mountain museum