Religious Analysis on Malaysia

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Religious Area Analysis Taiwan

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LAST UPDATED: 04MAY2023

OVERALL CLASSIFICATION: CUI

DERIVED FROM: MID AND OPEN SOURCE

Religious Support Team

Headquarters Support Company

1st Battalion 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)

Overview

Analyst Comment

Religion Overview

Religious Factors in PMESII-PTT

Religious Impact Assessment

Religious Dos/Don’ts

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1/1 SFG (A) Religious Support Comment

(CUI): The religious breakdown of the Presidential Republic of Taiwan leaves little room for variation with latest polling showing the population at 35% Buddhist, 33% Taoist, unspecified 18%, Folk religion 10%, and Christian 4% out of 23.5 million people. In relation to the majority Buddhist and Taoist faith groups, 80% combine into multiple other folk religions like Falun Gong (Spiritual self-discipline). This increases the number of adherents into the hundreds of thousands (State Dept, 2022). Religious minorities such as Folk Religion are the majority in the indigenous population while the largest group of foreign workers are Muslims from Indonesia (State Dept, 2022). Reports indicate an erosion of indigenous language, culture, and religion due to societal pressure from the Taiwanese government to assimilate. Instances of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) censorship and influence campaigns towards mainstream and native religious groups have occurred. The United States government has an unofficial relationship with Taiwan and does not support Taiwan independence due to recognition of the “One-China” policy (CIA, 2023). However, recent comments from POTUS have indicated that US troops will get involved for Taiwan’s defense “If, in fact, there was an unprecedented attack” (BBC News, 2022). United States influence in the country regarding religious freedom topics is within the American Institute of Taiwan.

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Major Religions in Taiwan

Religion in Brunei

38%

33%

10%

Buddhist Taoist Folk Christian 38 33 10 4

Political

Republic of China Constitution: Taiwan people and religious belief.

Pusin Tali, Taiwan’s Ambassador-at-Large for Religious Freedom (State Dept, 2022)

Registration of religious foundations

Transfer of religious assets

Does not guarantee a weekly day off for workers to attend religious services.

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Under articles 13 and 24 of Taiwan’s Constitution: Religious freedom shall not be restricted by law unless their ability to attennecessary to protect the freedoms of others, imminent danger, or public welfare.

Tali: Stated Taiwan’s failure to safeguard migrant workers’ rights, including guaranteeing d weekly religious services, might affect Taiwan’s relations with the migrant workers’ countries of origin. Taiwan authorities conducted outreach to the Muslim community – for example, by organizing an Islamic cultural exhibit in coordination with civil society groups and foreign missions of Muslim countries.

The government does not recognize a weekly day off for all faith groups. This mainly effects the Muslims and Christians working within the labor market of Taiwan. (State dept.2022)

Registration of religious foundations must be made through the central and local government. 3 different religious categories: Foundation (Country wide), Temple (less than 7 regions active), and Social Groups (local / regional). (State dept.2022)

In 2004, the 1929 Act of Supervising Temples has had multiple parts deemed unconstitutional due to religious properties having a restriction of transfer to only citizens of the Republic of China (Taiwan).

Indigenous people can ask for a day off work granted that they could show proof of their heritage (CIP, 2022).

Military

Mandatory Service

Only exemption by concrete religious convictions to pacifism

Comprised of Active, Reserves, and a growing civilian militia

Multiple faith groups amongst Taiwanese ranks

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Male citizens born after January 1994 are subject to 4 months of mandatory military service and 6 months for conscientious objectors based on religious beliefs against the use of violence. (State, 2022)

Economy

Due to the fast pace of Taiwan’s workforce, Muslim families are obligated to relieve their family members from work on the weekends (State Dept, 2022)

Expertise in electronics, communications, pharmaceutical, and information technology equipment. (CIA, 2023)

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Due to Taiwan’s high quality exports in integrated circuitry and computers, workflow may be highly technical and fast paced for the average worker. This causes a continuous work schedule to keep up with global demand that obligates families to take shifts to allow the other member to take a day off.

Increasing Chinese interference threatens Taiwan capabilities / socioeconomic inequality depending on proximity to Taipei. (CIA, 2023)

Social

Religious Leaders: Taiwan

N: Shin Cheng Yen

F: Mahayana Buddhism

O: Tzu Chi foundation

N: Gao Hui

F: Mahayana Buddhism

O: Dharma Drum

N: Hsing Yung

F: Mahayana Buddhism

O: Fo Guang Shan

N:Lhamo Thondup

F: Dalai Lama for Buddhism

O: Exiled Tibetan Buddhism branch

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- Leaders of various religious faiths, including the Chinese Muslim Association, the Tibet Religious Foundation, Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, and the Tzu Chi Foundation to discuss religious freedom in Taiwan. The 4 dominant leaders of Buddhism are referred as “The Four Pillars”.

Infrastructure: Mosques

Religious Buildings / Sacred Sites: Islamic

Islam- Largest Mosque

Taipei Grand Mosque

Location: Taipei, Taiwan

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Infrastructure: Churches

Religious Buildings / Sacred Sites: Christian

Largest Church: Presbyterian Church of Taiwan

Location: Taipei, Taiwan

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- Concentration of Taiwanese churches appear to be to the NE of Hu-wei and to the south of Chuanghua.

Infrastructure

Religious Buildings / Sacred Sites: Buddhist

Largest Temple:

Fo Guang Shan Monastery

Location: Dashu District, Taiwan

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Infrastructure

Religious Sacred Sites: Indigenous Tribes

Indigenous Tribes:

Pink  Saisyat

Red  Atayal

Yellow Truku

Orange  Sakizaya

Purple Amis

White Kavaian

Black  Brunun

Blue  Taou

Green Kanakanyu

and Hai’aiua

Navy Puyuma

Brown Rukai

Grey Paiwan

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Infrastructure (Cont)

American Institute of Taiwan

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- The American Institute of Taiwan is our only facility and main influence within the country of Taiwan.

- This institution has continually advocated for the freedom of religion and supports in the efforts to secure religious rights within the country.

Information

PRC-owned media outlet Wen Wei Po retaliation against any kind of Hong Kong protest support

Radio Free Asia (RFA) / Church database hack

American Institute of Taiwan (AIT) used social media to engage the public on religious freedom issues. (State Dept, 2022)

Wan-yiu “Giggs” Sing

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In April, the PRC-owned media outlet Wen Wei Po reported that PRC authorities temporarily blocked access to the Taiwan Presbyterian Church website for internet users in Hong Kong. Radio Free Asia (RFA) stated the interference was done in retaliation for the Church’s support of the 2019 prodemocracy movement in Hong Kong (State Dept, 2022)

The same Presbyterian Church reportedly had their database hacked because of their support for the Hong Kong protests in 2019.

Physical Location

Demographics EDIT THIS

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A large consolidated island to the east of the Taiwan Strait and is 30 times larger than our garrison Okinawa. Appears to be heavily populated throughout the western portions of the island with many mountain ranges to the east that are populated by native tribes.

- Key areas of religious temples and worship sites are indicated by PIN markers.

Religious Holidays: Buddhist 2023

Time

January 6	Mahayana New Year	Full moon mid-January	Meditation and prayer. Bathing Buddha statues, lighting candles for luck. Fireworks at midnight.
January 22	Luner New Year	January 22	Time of red decorations and lanterns, envelopes of money to children, traditional lion dance
February 5	Makha Bucha	February 5	Theravada Buddhists aim only for good this day, think pure thoughts, and go to the temples
February 15	Nehan-e	February 15	Date of reflection and meditation into the imperminance of human life. Common practice to meditate for departed family.
February	Losar	unspecified	For Tibetan Buddhist refugees this month when Tibetans followed the BON religion before Buddhism.
March 17	Higan - e	March 17-23	A week long festival dedicated to giving offerings to ancestors and Buddha for reaching Nirvana.
April 8	Buddha’s Birthday	May 14	Taiwan celebrates Buddhas Bday same as Mother’s day. Believers decorate temples and Buddha statues with flowers.
July 3	Asalha Puja	July 3	Bhudda’s first sermon after Nirvana. The start of Buddhism. Monks retreat for 3 months / believers meditate and practice righteous acts
December 8	Bodhi Day	December 8	When Buddha reached enlightenment. Specialized meditation, chanting, and acts of kindness
December 26	Unduvap Poya	Sanghamitta Day December 26	Offerings of food and gifts to nuns and monks. Day of honoring women in Buddhist faith.

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In Taiwan, believers observe Buddha’s birthday on the second Sunday in May, the same as Mother’s Day 2023.(Guibord center, 2023)

Religious Holidays: Taoist / General

Time

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Religious Holidays: Islamic

Time

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Dos and Don’ts When Visiting Buddhist Sites

Remove Your Hat and Shoes: Hats and sunglasses should be removed before you enter a temple, home, and rare stores. Leave your shoes on the rack at the entrance.

Be Respectful (Especially to Buddhist Monks): Return any bow politely, do not engage in deep topics, place gifts or items in front of them to pick up.

Do Not Point Feet: While sitting, avoid pointing your feet in the direction of a monk or a Buddha statue. The feet while sitting are pointed away and not crossed.

DO NOT give something to a monk directly. DO NOT touch a monk. DO NOT touch anyone on the head, even kids.

Do Not use the left hand. Instead use the right hand.

Dress Appropriately: Modest dress is required.

Men: Men should wear long pants and plain shirts without messages or slogans when visiting Buddhist sites. Short-sleeved shirts are acceptable as long as the sleeves are not shorter than average. If in doubt, wear long sleeves.

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Dos and Don’ts When Visiting Mosques

Remove Your Hat and Shoes: Hats and sunglasses should always be removed before you enter a mosque. Leave your shoes on the rack at the entrance. Some mosques will provide plastic covers for your feet.

Be Respectful: Avoid making loud noises or engaging in unnecessary conversation inside of mosques. Turn off mobile phones, don't chew gum, and do not bring food or drinks inside of a mosque.

Do Not Point Feet: While sitting, avoid pointing your feet in the direction of the Qibla - the primary wall inside the mosque indicating the direction of Mecca.

Dress Appropriately: Modest dress is required. Men and women should both cover as much skin as possible; women are required to cover their heads

Men: Men should wear long pants and plain shirts without messages or slogans when visiting mosques. Short-sleeved shirts are acceptable as long as the sleeves are not shorter than average. If in doubt, wear long sleeves.

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Dos and Don’ts When Visiting Mosques (Cont.)

Entering A Mosque: Sometimes men and women use separate entrances to enter a mosque - look for signs. The typical greeting in Arabic for those entering mosques is "Assalam Allaikum" which means "peace be upon you". The correct return is "Wa alaikum-as-salam" which means "peace be upon you too". Tourists are obviously not expected to return the greeting, but doing so shows great respect.

It is a Muslim custom to enter a mosque with the right foot first and then exit with the left foot first. Members of the opposite sex should never offer to shake hands upon greeting.

Visiting During Prayer Times: As a general rule, visiting during prayer should be avoided. However, if you are there while prayer is taking place you should sit quietly against the back wall. Due to the sensitive nature and potential compromise of these underground religious groups, taking pictures will not be tolerated.

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References

Taiwanese Work Culture: Four Key Cultural Differences to … | Taiwan Gold Card (nat.gov.tw)

Taiwan - The World Factbook (cia.gov)

Taiwan - United States Department of State

https://www.ait.org.tw/taiwan-2020-international-religious-freedom-report/

Buddhist Holy Days and Observances - The Guibord Center

2022 Indigenous Peoples’ Seasonal Ritual Holidays and Changes made by the Council of Indigenous Peoples to Accommodate Its People (cip.gov.tw)

China’s Influence Campaigns Among Taiwan’s Religious Organizations - Global Civil Society in a Geopolitical Age: How Great Power Competition Is Reshaping Civic Activism - Carnegie Europe - Carnegie Endowment for International Peace