Baosheng Cultural Festival

Baoan Temple is located in Taipei City's Tatung District. Its special location, at the crossing of two major rivers (Tamshui and Keelung rivers) in Taipei, allowed it to develop before most of the surrounding areas and it is considered one of the oldest communities in Taipei. The temple worships Baosheng Dadi, the 'Great Emperor Protecting Life' or the 'God of Medicine'. The god was first brought to Taiwan by immigrants of Tungan County in Mainland China's Fukien Province from the original temple in Paichueh County. The temple was built by immigrants from Tongan, Fujian. Construction of the temple in Taipei began in 1805, the construction of the temple was a tremendous work; all the stones and materials used were shipped from mainland China, it took 25 years for the temple to be completed. The temple has been declared a Secondary National Heritage Site. It is on of the three most important temples in Taipei, others include Lungshan Temple and Chingshan Temple.


Baoan Temple

Baoan Temple consists of front, middle and rear halls, as well as bell and drum towers. Renovations made to the temple are recorded on a tablet inscribed by the Ching scholar Chen Wang-tseng. There are also couplets by other famous scholars. During the Japanese occupation of Taiwan (1895-1945), the temple was converted into a Japanese language school and a bamboo mat factory. The buildings fell into disrepair over the years and were renovated with donations between 1917 and 1919, restoring them to their former glory. It is very well supported and now includes a large park across from its main gate. During Baosheng Dadi's birthday celebration firewalking are held as part of the festival. The present structure dates from the early twentieth century and is one of Taipei's finest examples of temple architecture and carving.

Baosheng Dadi

The Baosheng Dadi is actually a doctor who saved many lives in the Sung Dynasty; Wu Ben was his real name. He was born on the 15th day of the third lunar month in Sung Dynasty (around 979 A.D.) in Baijiao, Fujian Provice of China. Wu Ben was very intelligent and studied hard in his early years. His parents passed away when he was still young, which greatly influence on his devoting to medical study. He began to study the herbs and the acupuncture since its young age, and became a doctor. During his life, he healed thousands of people. After he passed away, local people constructed a temple in his honor to worship him, and consider him as the god of medicine and the protector of life. The believers think that Baosheng Dadi can grant their prayers. They pray for health, the peace and the recovery of the patients. Today, there are more than 4 hundred temples in honor of Baosheng Dadi in Taiwan.

The Celebration of Baosheng Dadi's Birthday

The Birthday of Baosheng Dadi is on the 15th day of the 3rd lunar month. Celebration of Baosheng Dadi's birthday is held every year. The best place to witness celebrations of the birthday of Baosheng Dadi is the Baoan Temple in Taipei City. The celebration is one of the major three temple fairs in Taipei.In general, birthday ceremonies in honor of Baosheng Dadi can last up to a week and include street parades, lion dances, Taiwanese opera performances, and many other traditional temple activities. During the celebration, it also includes the plays sponsored by followers wishing to reaffirm their vows or express their appreciation for the blessings of Baoshang Dadi. Of special interest is the 'Firewalking Ceromony', the worshippers create a 10m long path of burning charcoal in front of the Baoan Temple. After spreading a lot of salt on the path, the worshippers carry or hold the joss of Baosheng Dadi and run across the hot charcoal path with bare feet. This 'Firewalking Ceremony' is an expression of the followers' faith in their strong conviction.