The Pao Shun Temple is the main temple in Lower Nien Village in Fuhsing Rural Township, Changhua County. It is dedicated to the deity Duke Tingfu, who protected the first members of the Nien clan who made the perilous journey to Taiwan. The main temple festival--"In Gratitude for Tranquillity"--is held each year on the fifth day of the tenth month in the lunar calendar. The villagers not only go to the temple to worship and make offerings, they invite friends from far and wide to come feast.
In front of the temple, a drama troupe playing the roles of spirits and deities is warming up the crowd, while villagers slaughter fowl and swine to prepare for a "three sacrifices" offering. The more thrifty bring forward their gift of a basket of vegetables; those with more "wherewithal" have baskets packed to the brim slung over their shoulder on a pole. When all the offerings have been lined up and opened, you can immediately see which families have the most capable daughters-in-law.
There is an enormous wuliu fish weighing more than ten kilos, which has been raised in the fish pond for three or four years now. In order to make a good impression, a chef specializing in catering large affairs has been invited to prepare it. Pigs, ducks, and geese--all raised by the donors themselves--are delivered, each villager putting forth the best they have. But will the gods like them?
First comes worship of Heaven, then of the temple deity, then of the Spirit Generals of the Five Camps. Although the foods for the "foot soldiers" of Heaven are not as abundant as the offerings to the temple deity, still there is rice in the electric cooker and plenty of fish, oysters, and kelp--all special local products--to offer to the armed forces of Heaven and to appeal to them for continued protection of man and beast against the forces of nature for yet another year.
The puppet show has already begun, and the festival reaches a lull. Picking up the offering baskets, it's time to go home. The big circular tables and stools at home are waiting to be set up. Although caterers are taking care of the food, it is still necessary to make sure everything is in order at home, for the guests will soon be coming.