Temple Deacons and Stewards:

Divination for the world

Because Xingtian Temple is located near Songshan Airport, it can be reached easily by mass transit. Its convenient location makes it attractive to foreign tourists.

Zeng Sikai, a deacon at the temple, says the foreigners who most frequently use divination services are Japanese and Thai, especially people from Japan, where Shinto shrines also offer such services. Therefore, the temple offers Japanese translations of their fortune verses.

The most unique service provided by temples in Taiwan is that divination interpreters help visitors understand divination texts. At Xingtian Temple, this is the job of temple deacons dressed in blue Daoist robes. Zeng explains that this service is provided by the deacons to any visitor who has a serious request (i.e., they are not getting a divination simply to enjoy the experience).

The temple has Japanese- and English-speaking personnel for foreign visitors. Moreover, in today’s high-tech world, if there is a need for services in other languages, they use translation ­software. The goal is to help every person seeking a divination to understand the fortune verses.

Zeng Sikai, a deacon at Xingtian Temple for over a decade, often reminds people who come for divination that the deities’ advice is simply a suggestion, and they must ultimately make decisions for themselves.

Zeng Sikai suggests that when waiting in line for the shoujing ritual, one should set aside one’s mobile phone and focus on the sense of tranquility in the temple. This will go a long way to ensuring that the ritual succeeds.

Thoughtful reminder

Zeng reveals that no matter what their nationality, most of those who come to Xingtian Temple for divination ask about work, with health and relationships being the next most popular topics. He warns that while deities who can understand any foreign language may seem omnipotent, in fact those who seek to have their fortunes told must still provide clear information to get accurate divine guidance.

He says, for example, that if one is uncertain about a career change, when asking the advice of the deities one should report the names and addresses of the two firms involved and not merely ask, “Should I change jobs?” Many domestic and foreign visitors overlook this need for detail.

In fact, divination differs between temples in Taiwan, which is why the role of the deacons at Xingtian Temple is so important. When they see a person with an expression of confusion or frustration, they will jump in and offer help so that every visitor correctly understands the details of the divination process and the significance of each step.

After drawing a divination slip at Xingtian Temple, you can use the number on it to collect your fortune verse.

From “recalling souls” to peace of mind

At Xingtian Temple we also see a long line of people led by temple stewards (xiaolaosheng or “helpers”), who also dress in blue Daoist robes. Holding incense and circling the gathered people while quietly chanting benedictions, these trained volunteers are presiding over the shoujing ritual for “recalling a frightened soul to the body,” for which Xingtian Temple is famous.

Zeng Sikai explains that this ritual was originally created for people who remained troubled after having suffered frightening or tragic events. However, as Xingtian Temple’s reputation spread, many people came to undergo the ritual just for the experience, or to seek divine protection. To meet the public demand, the temple altered its practices: “Now, so long as you feel it is necessary, you can do it at any time.” Zeng adds that foreign visitors are absolutely welcome to try it.

Just as the founder of Xingtian Temple advocated “showing respect for the gods by cultivating a pure heart,” anyone who comes here, regardless of religious background, needs only to show sincere respect and they can feel the peace of mind produced by faith. Moreover, through the services provided by temple deacons and stewards, everyone can experience the inclusiveness of Taiwanese religion.

As the deacons at the temple counter help believers to interpret the classical Chinese language of divination texts, they are also providing solace to their troubled and anxious minds.