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The Volunteer of Yuan-Shuai Temple, Mr. Shih-Rong Yang
The Volunteer of Yuan-Shuai Temple, Mr. Shih-Rong Yang
This was the first time that we interviewed person for our research in Yuan-Shuai Temple, and the interview was arranged by Guan-Ru's mother. Mr. Shih-Rong Yang is a man more than 70 years old, he said with a smile: 'all of you can be as my grandchildren!'
Grandfather Yang led us into the front of a wall, the wall had been inlaid with lighted Guang-Ming lamps(A Taiwanese custom; Believer lights a lamp in temple for blessing), He held a microphone in his hand and looked nervous.
The writer is Cih-Fang Guo
Interview
Before interviewing, we worshiped main gods of Yuan-Shuai temple first.
We didn't understand Grandfather's Taiwanese well, so Mr. Wu translated for us.
One memeber of our team, Sing-Yu Chen, spoke Taiwanese well.
Grandfather Yang explained to us with a microphone.
"Wait for me to look through the materials."
Q:Grandfather, why do you come to Yuan-Shuai Temple?
A¡G
I introduce myself first, my name is Shih-Rong Yang, I am one member of the temple committee.
Ask me any question whatever possible, I will answer it with Taiwanese.
If you can't understand what I say, please ask your teacher to translate for you.
I come here because I do volunteer work in Yuan-Shuai temple.
(The teacher asks:'how old are you?')I was born in 1929A.D.
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Q:Grandfather, do you know the built time of Yuan-Shuai temple?
A¡G The temple was built in 1661A.D. while Ming Dynasty(1647A.D.~)Marshal Jheng Cheng-gong arrived in Taiwan. When Jheng Cheng-gong arrived in Taiwan, his army adviser, Guo-Ching Liou, came to Youchang area and built the temple here. I find out the related materials later, then you take the materials back to study carefully.
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Q:Grandfather, what gods does Yuan-Shuai Temple worship?
A¡G The seven Marshals are the main gods, Marshal Liou, Marshal Sie, Marshal Chen, Marshal Chang, Marshal Tang, Marshal Chen and Marshal Jhang. We only know their family name. They are sworn brothers and have become objects of worship for more than 300 years. In Taiwan, there are two kinds of methods to become god; one kind is that he has great contribution to the society, after he died, the people worship him for thanking him. another kind is that he practises the magic arts and then becomes a god. The seven main gods of Yuan-Shuai temple are the former kind. Because of their greatness the Youchang residents worship them.
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Q:Grandfather, which help does Yuan-Shuai Temple offer to school?
A¡G The temple subsidizes the lunch expense of poor students. The subsidized schools are Youchang elementary school, Jia-Chang elementary school, Youchang junior high school and Guo-Chang junior high school.
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Q:Grandfather, what kind of community services has Yuan-Shuai Temple done?
A¡G Our community services are mainly the charitable activities. The funds of the charitable activities come from donations mostly. Because the donations are donated by believers. For repaying residents, the temple committee uses the donations to relieve the disadvantaged. In addition, for being environmentally friendly Youchang area is no Pudu in Lunar 7 Month.
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Q:Grandfather, can you tell us what is your feeling to Yuan-Shuai Temple?
A¡G The temple is one kind of religious faith centre! I think that most of people need one kind of religious faith to help themselves get through a difficult time. For example Christian go to church to worship; Taoist go to temple to worship. Both of them offer the places where person's soul reposes on.
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- Thanks to
- ¡·The Volunteer, Mr. Shih-Rong Yang