On May 14, 2024, Taiwan’s Beigang Chaotian Temple’s Mazu, visited and paid respects at the Mazu Temple in San Francisco. In the afternoon of that day, a grand welcome and incense ceremony were held inside the temple. Apart from members of the Chaotian Temple and the Mazu Temple, almost all staff of the Taiwan Representative Office in San Francisco attended. The atmosphere was vibrant with a large gathering of worshippers.
Chairman of Taiwan’s Beigang Chaotian Temple, Cai Yongduo, led the board members of the temple to accompany the Mazu statue and two guardian generals’ statues to San Francisco, kicking off a nearly half-month pilgrimage in the United States. From May 14 to 17, the Mazu statue will be enshrined at the first stop – the Mazu Temple in San Francisco for worshippers to pay their respects, and will then move on to Houston and New York.
The history of Mazu in Beigang can be traced back 330 years ago, originating from Meizhou, China, and brought to Taiwan, where it has been passed down to this day. Chairman Cai explained that although the Mazu faith originated from mainland China, Taiwan has greatly promoted this religious culture, making it more diverse. Through this event, he hopes to “promote compassion and bring Taiwan’s traditional culture to the world.”
The Mazu Temple in San Francisco, established 38 years ago, has always been an important spiritual sanctuary for local Chinese worshippers and the organizer of this event. Chairman Yan Rongli pointed out that promoting Mazu culture overseas is challenging, and the main significance of holding this event is to allow second-generation Chinese to “get to know” and “inherit our religious culture.”
Why do Taiwanese people have a special belief in Mazu? Ms. Vivian shared a legend: “In the past, Taiwan had many fishermen, and when they went out to sea, Mazu would light a lamp to help them return home safely.” Nowadays, being in a foreign land, Mazu culture has become a spiritual refuge for Vivian, and she hopes to receive Mazu’s protection.
Ms. Chen from San Francisco, who traveled back to Taiwan in April to join the Mazu pilgrimage, came to the event today as well, saying: “Mazu is like a presence always by our side for us, we can pray for her blessings anytime, anywhere.”
Ms. Tian, who has been in the United States for 20 years, expressed that this event is very meaningful because “faith can teach people to do good and bring solace to the soul.”
Chairman Yan noticed that Taiwan’s Mazu culture has become younger. In his life experience, the older generation in Taiwan “focused more on material things and money,” while the younger generation now pursues “spiritual growth and attainment,” which embodies the most meaningful values of Mazu culture.
This event not only allowed Taiwanese Americans to feel the culture and beliefs of their homeland but also promoted the dissemination and inheritance of Mazu culture overseas.