Minxiong Dashiye Temple displays Taiwan's unique temple culture

Located in Minxiong Township, Chiayi County, the Dashiye Temple is a Grade 3 historic building. The main deities worshipped at the temple are the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (觀音大士) and Dashiye (大士爺). In Taiwan's folk belief, Dashiye is one of few deities that don't have a solid statute to worship. However, the temple is still a local center of faith and preserves the historical memory of Minxiong.

The ceremony of Dashiye held in “Ghost Month,” observed in the 7th month of the lunar calendar, is a unique salvation ceremony during the Ghost Festival in Taiwan. The temple makes a paper-mâché statue of Dashiye and enshrines it in the main hall for the public to worship. At the same time, a ceremony is held for three consecutive days to redeem the ghosts and spirits. At the end of the festival, the paper-mâché statue of Dashiye is "cremated and ascends to heaven" according to local belief, symbolizing the saving of wandering souls and the elimination of disasters.

以下為中文對照

台灣獨有廟宇文化 民雄大士爺廟

  大士爺廟是位於嘉義縣民雄鄉的廟宇，為嘉義縣的三級古蹟，供俸的主神為觀音大士和大士爺，在台灣人的信仰中，大士爺是少數沒有具體雕像讓信眾膜拜的神祇。但大士爺廟仍為民雄的信仰中心，保存著民雄的歷史記憶。

  每年農曆七月舉辦的大士爺祭，是台灣獨特的普渡祭典，廟方會製作紙糊大士爺神像，供奉在正殿讓民眾膜拜，同時舉辦法會連續三天超渡孤魂野鬼，並在祭典的最後將紙糊大士爺神像火化升天，象徵帶走好兄弟，消災解厄。

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