The rebirth of temple culture as deities become netizens

The popularization of mobile phones and computers has compelled many things to go online. The pandemic which struck the world in 2020 strengthened this online trend, and temples symbolizing traditional culture have followed suit. Divination stick readings, lighting candles, blessings, etc., are now all available online. Some temples have followed the online trend due to the recent pandemic, while others have been providing online services for many years.

Such online temple services serve believers far and wide, while also providing an opportunity for people to get acquainted with Taiwan’s deities and temples. Through using such services, people gain knowledge and understanding of traditional temple culture. By providing a source of spiritual sustenance, these modern online services may prove vital in keeping ancient traditional temple customs alive.

以下為中文對照

廟宇文化新生 與神明當網友

因為手機、電腦的普及，許多事物走上線上化，在2020年更是因為疫情，開啟了另一波線上化的新高峰，在這樣的潮流下，象徵傳統文化的宮廟也不例外，舉凡抽籤、點燈、祈福等......，都是線上服務的環節，有些廟宇因為疫情開始而重視，而有些則是行之有年，享負盛名已久。

廟宇開辦線上服務，不只是服務到遠在他鄉的信徒，也能讓原本沒有接觸過的人，在機運下與神、廟宇結下緣份，被服務的過程中，去認識及了解，原本就擁有此信仰的人再加上新吸引到的民眾，就能夠讓廟宇香火持續延續下去。

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