Page 83 - 來學華語課本第五冊

Traveling with Mazu

chéngshì, ràng cānjiā de rén xiàzài, suíshí kěyǐ chádào Māzǔ jìnxiāng huò ràojìng huódòng
de lùxiàn hàn shíjiān, hái yǒu zhíbò fúwù, zài shǒujī shàng jiù kěyǐ gēnzhe Māzǔ zǒu.

Lìngwài, yě yǒu hěn duō gēn huódòng yǒuguān de shāngpǐn, xiàng yīfú, màozi, ràng Māzǔ
gēn wǒmen de shēnghuó gèng jìn.
Báishātún Māzǔ jìnxiāng yǔ Dàjiǎ Māzǔ ràojìng huódòng gè yǒu tèsè, dàn dōu shì

Táiwān wénhuà zhòngyào de xiàngzhēng, bùjǐn yǒu zōngjiào hàn lìshǐ de yìyì, yě cùjìnle
dìfāng jīngjì, zēngjìnle rén yǔ rén de gǎnqíng.

英文課文 Text in English

The Mazu Faith is one of the most representative folk beliefs in Taiwan, with the

Baishatun Mazu [Worship] Pilgrimage and the Dajia Mazu [Circuit] Pilgrimage being
the two grandest among such religious events. These two events often attract millions of

believers and tourists who follow Mazu's palanquin for hundreds of kilometers. Regardless
of gender, social status, or wealth, everyone helps each other and works together to complete
the journey, demonstrating the power of folk faith.

What is distinctive about the Baishatun Mazu [Worship] Pilgrimage is that there
is no fixed route. The palanquin bearers proceed according to the directions instructed by
Mazu, starting from Gongtian Temple in Baishatun, Tongxiao Township, Miaoli County,

and ending at Chaotian Temple in Beigang Township, Yunlin County. Each day's itinerary
is full of unknowns. Wherever [the image of] Mazu arrives, local believers welcome the
goddess with firecrackers. People from all over prepare drinks, food, and some keepsakes of

blessings and safety for the passing devotees. Some even invite participants to rest in their
homes, in a gesture full of human warmth.

The Dajia Mazu [Circuit] Pilgrimage has a fixed route; the entire journey is nine
days and eight nights. Every year during the period of the Lantern Festival, the departure
time is determined according to [what is divined to be] Mazu's instructions. It starts from

Dajia Zhenlan Temple in Taichung during the third month of the lunar calendar, goes to
Xingang Fengtian Temple in Chiayi, and then returns to Dajia, traversing a total distance

of 340 kilometers. Along the way, there are many places where devotees prepare food and
lodging, and it is quite boisterous.
These two grand religious events not only have religious significance but also have

the function of comforting people. Participants use the method of following along with
Mazu's procession to pray for her protection and blessing. Some are even more devout,

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