〈Focus Times/reported by reporter Cai Zongxian〉
In response to the government’s 2050 net-zero policy, the Kaohsiung City Government’s Civil Affairs Bureau focused on net-zero green living, and guided the Kaohsiung Yicheng Hall Guandi Temple to completely replace the lamps with LED lights, and implemented low-carbon sacrifices such as rice instead of gold and one incense per burner. Introducing an electronic payment system and installing solar energy-saving facilities to transform it into a low-carbon and environmentally friendly temple.
Hong Rongfeng, chairman of the Kaohsiung Taoist Church and chairman of the Guandi Temple of Yicheng Hall in Kaohsiung, shared that after all lamps in the temple were replaced with LED lights and installed with solar panels for their own use, the electricity bill was reduced by nearly 50%; in the traditional way, cash was used to pay for sesame oil. There are risks in keeping cash and it also requires labor to count. After the introduction of electronic payment, it is not only fast and convenient, but has been well received by the public. More than 50% of the people have used it. Through the electronic payment system, the temple has greatly reduced labor costs, and even foreign tourists are using it. It’s an added benefit that I didn’t expect at first.
In addition, the number of incense burners at the Guandi Temple in Yichengtang in Kaohsiung has been reduced from 5 to 2, with one incense burner per burner. At the same time, the use of rice instead of gold is promoted, so that people who go to incense on weekdays can choose gold paper or safe rice, significantly reducing daily gold paper. The amount burned; at events such as Dharma gatherings, the amount of gold paper used is reduced and replaced with white rice, which is then donated to disadvantaged groups. Under the temple’s propaganda, the number of people who support the use of rice in lieu of gold has gradually increased. With both environmental protection and traditional beliefs, it not only achieves the goal of low-carbon sacrifice, but also responds to social welfare.
Director Yan Qingzhi of the Civil Affairs Bureau said that from the early days of encouraging temples to install environmentally friendly gold furnaces to the policy of centralized burning of paper money, and then guiding temples to implement low-carbon sacrifices using rice instead of gold, energy-saving measures and electronic payments, he hopes that through the successful experience of Kaohsiung Yicheng Hall Guandi Temple, Let more religious groups understand that low-carbon sacrifice is a new direction for preserving traditional culture and innovation, and it is also a practice and response to the concept of environmental protection. We look forward to contributing to the goal of net-zero emissions with the joint efforts of the city government and religious groups.
Gao Civil Affairs Bureau, Yichengtang Guandi Temple, green temple, solar energy-saving facilities, electronic payment system, 2050 net zero policy
Tags: Guandi Temple meets netzero challenge Kaohsiung Yicheng Hall replaces LED lights practice lowcarbon environmentally friendly worship Focus Times
