英文摘要 |
The Tu Di Gong (Earth God) Temple is located on Xianyue Mountain in the Huli District of Xiamen Island. Originally, it was just a small earth deity shrine situated under a banyan tree. However, with the loosening of Chinese religious policies, it has developed into one of the most efficacious (lingyan) temple in Xiamen. In the work of Maurice Freedman, popular religion in Fujian is always associated with patriarchal lineages with a strong local sense. This paper analyzes the differences between the newly developed earth deity temple in Xianyue Mountain and traditional village temples in terms of: 1. the rebuilding of the spiritual power by a fairy-like woman; 2. the impact of Taiwanese businessmen; and 3. the celebration of the transnational cultural festival. The example of Tu Di Gong Temple on Xianyue Mountain will shed new light on recent temple developments in contemporary Fujian and throughout Mainland China. |