religion goes green in taiwan pollution
Last Updated : GMT 09:03:51
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
Last Updated : GMT 09:03:51
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

As concerns grow over ritual pollutants

Religion goes green in Taiwan pollution

Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Religion goes green in Taiwan pollution

Heavy smoke billows from burnt offerings and incense at a Matzu temple
Taipei - Arab Today

Smoke billows daily from temples across Taiwan as visitors burn incense and paper money to bring luck and prosperity -- but that familiar fragrant haze could be a thing of the past as concerns grow over ritual pollutants.

The potential damage to the environment and to the health of devotees from staggering levels of dangerous particles in the air is leading some temples and festivals to seek alternative -- if less spectacular -- practices, despite resistance from worshippers. 

Famous temples such as the Taoist Nan Yao in central Changhua city -- one of the island's largest and oldest temples -- are playing firecracker CDs instead of launching the real thing, as well as encouraging followers to clap hands to create smoke-free noise.

The popular Taoist Hsing Tian Kong temple in the capital Taipei has banned worshippers from burning incense, requesting they simply bring their hands together to pray, instead of holding the burning sticks. 

Other temples are sending paper offerings to be burned at state incinerators so the fumes can be treated.

And in New Taipei City, water lanterns that pollute the river have been replaced with a wall of lanterns outside a temple.

While the new alternatives may not be quite as atmospheric, activists say it is time for change.  

"People come to temples to pray for good health, but the way they are worshipping is not healthy," said Yeh Guang-perng, founder of the environmental group Air Clean for Taiwan.
"They might not get sick right away, but long-term exposure would be harmful to their health." 

Taoism and Buddhism are the predominant faiths in Taiwan, each with millions of followers and with worship centring around temples and festival events. 

During a nine-day pilgrimage last month in central Taiwan honouring the Taoist sea-goddess Mazu government monitoring revealed levels of harmful microscopic PM2.5 particles reached more than 60 times the World Health Organisation's recommended levels along the route after multiple firecrackers were set off. 

Environmental groups have also warned over hazardous chemicals, such as benzene and methylbenzene, released from burning incense and paper money.

- Old habits -

But some devotees are reluctant to let go. 

"The traditional belief is that the more firecrackers and incense used, the sincerer the faithful will appear and the more good fortune will be bestowed on them," said Chiu Jainn-fuh, director of Nan Yao Temple. 

The temple for the first time cancelled a budget of Tw$1 million ($30,860) for setting off firecrackers at a recent Mazu pilgrimage it hosted, but about half of its devotees refused to follow suit and set off their own, he said.
Dajia Jenn Lann Temple, in central Taichung city, also Taoist, is encouraging worshippers to dedicate fresh flowers and fruits to deities, and to donate the money they would spend on firecrackers to charity.

Again, the reaction has been mixed from worshippers.   

"Actually the smog coming from China is far more serious. Air pollution is not caused by religious activities alone," read one message on the temple's Facebook page. 

"Some followers are unhappy, especially elderly people who think they are being disrespectful and we can't force them. It's not easy to change and it takes time," said Yen Chin-piao, president of the temple.

- Scientific approach -

Authorities are banking on a scientific approach to persuade sceptical worshippers to go green.

The levels of PM2.5 registered at last month's main Mazu festival pilgrimage were posted real-time online by Taiwan's Environment Protection Administration (EPA), which sent a dedicated team to follow the celebrations for the first time.
"We hope that with the scientific proof from the on-site data, we can persuade the public to change," said Chen Shyan-heng, head of the EPA's air quality protection and noise control department. 

The EPA has promised to bring in new restrictions on the amount, location and timings for setting off firecrackers within the next year, after pressure from lawmakers shocked by air pollution at the Mazu celebrations.

Currently, only setting off firecrackers at restricted hours is punishable under a noise control law, with a maximum fine of Tw$30,000. 

There is no official record of how many religious establishments are now adopting green approaches. 

Taipei's Hsing Tian Kong and the Buddhist Dharma Drum Mountain in New Taipei City are the only ones known to have imposed an outright ban on worshippers burning incense and paper money. 

But environmentalists say awareness is growing.

Hsing Tian Kong is still packed with worshippers since going green.

"We need to cut down on the religious offerings that pollute the environment and hurt our health in a world with growing pollution," interior designer Lai Su-hui told AFP during a visit to temple in central Taipei. 

"Sincerity matters the most and the gods will bless us," she said.   

Source: AFP

almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday

GMT 14:04 2018 Sunday ,14 January

Fossil fuels blown away by wind

GMT 18:15 2018 Saturday ,13 January

1.5 C climate goal 'very unlikely' but doable

GMT 12:37 2018 Friday ,12 January

Race to save Indonesian croc stricken

GMT 15:08 2018 Thursday ,11 January

California mudslides death toll reaches 15

GMT 14:06 2018 Wednesday ,10 January

Philippines to protest over China activity

GMT 14:33 2018 Tuesday ,09 January

Poisonous and running out

GMT 16:42 2018 Saturday ,06 January

'World's ugliest pig' spotted

GMT 12:01 2018 Wednesday ,03 January

Hong Kong's mountain warriors
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

religion goes green in taiwan pollution religion goes green in taiwan pollution

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

religion goes green in taiwan pollution religion goes green in taiwan pollution

 



Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017

GMT 09:22 2018 Monday ,22 January

Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way

GMT 11:03 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Modern colorful bedroom renovation

GMT 10:57 2017 Thursday ,21 December

Modern colorful bedroom renovation
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president

GMT 13:56 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Turkey detains dozens more

GMT 10:47 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

Turkey detains dozens more

GMT 12:48 2011 Monday ,04 July

Gilbert favourite for win number 2 on Tour

GMT 08:12 2017 Wednesday ,15 February

UAE, Pakistan can benefit from CPEC, says envoy

GMT 09:07 2016 Friday ,19 August

Gawker.com to shut down next week

GMT 03:39 2012 Saturday ,04 August

Shyamalan, Noxon team up for Syfy pilot

GMT 20:13 2012 Friday ,21 December

We need a new cabinet to solve the crisis

GMT 10:01 2014 Thursday ,31 July

Kirstie Alley's TV Land series canceled

GMT 08:15 2016 Thursday ,29 December

Why Don’t We Conserve Water?

GMT 10:58 2011 Sunday ,17 July

IMF urges Europe to bolster lenders

GMT 18:21 2011 Wednesday ,29 June

Zarkana\': Cirque du Soleil debuts new gamble in NY

GMT 11:24 2013 Wednesday ,24 July

Living room interior decoration ideas

GMT 08:35 2012 Thursday ,24 May

Ancient jewellery found in Israel

GMT 14:32 2011 Friday ,16 September

The Fat Years

GMT 11:32 2015 Tuesday ,06 January

Why are there spots on my apple?
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
 
 Almaghrib Today Facebook,almaghrib today facebook  Almaghrib Today Twitter,almaghrib today twitter Almaghrib Today Rss,almaghrib today rss  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

.almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday almaghribtoday almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday