In the previous article, we introduced Mazu, the mysterious guardian goddess of the East. She symbolizes support for ocean conservation and women’s rights, closely aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 14, “Life Below Water,” and SDG 5, “Gender Equality.” Today, the editorial team at《The Icons》International Celebrity Magazine will take you on a journey to visit Mazu temples around the world, exploring their unique contributions to sustainable development.
As Chinese immigrants spread across the globe, the belief in Mazu followed, originating from the southeastern coastal regions of China. Temples dedicated to Mazu, known as Tianhou Temples, have borne witness to the global expansion of this faith. In Chinese communities across Southeast Asia, and even in Europe and the Americas, Mazu temples serve not only as religious landmarks but also as symbols of cultural identity and historical memory for Chinese communities. With the growing global focus on sustainable development, many Mazu temples have integrated environmental protection and social welfare into their activities, becoming key players in raising environmental awareness.
The Green Pilgrimage of China’s Meizhou Mazu Temple: Integrating the Sea Goddess Faith with a Modern Environmental Mission
The origins of the Mazu faith trace back to Fujian, China, where the Meizhou Mazu Temple stands as one of the most important Mazu temples in the world, attracting countless devotees each year. With growing emphasis on environmental protection in modern society, the Meizhou Mazu Temple has actively embraced sustainable development by promoting “green pilgrimages,” encouraging followers to reduce their environmental impact.
Meizhou Island, due to its unique geographical location, is closely connected to the Mazu faith. Each year, the Meizhou Mazu Temple collaborates with local governments and NGOs to host coastal cleanup events, actively protecting marine ecosystems and blending Mazu’s role as the sea goddess with modern environmental principles. Additionally, Mazu temples in places like Tianhou Temple in Quanzhou, Nanputuo Temple in Xiamen, and Nanhai Tianhou Temple in Guangdong serve not only as religious centers but also as cultural hubs. These temples continue to promote low-carbon living and energy-saving initiatives, combining religious practices with contemporary environmental consciousness.
From Taiwan to Southeast Asia, the Mazu Faith Transitions from Cultural Pilgrimage to Environmental Action
Taiwan is one of the key hubs for the spread of Mazu’s faith, boasting over 500 Mazu temples, with Beigang Chaotian Temple and Dajia Jenn Lann Temple being the most renowned. The annual Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees and tourists, becoming a grand showcase of Taiwan’s folk culture.
In addition to religious activities, Taiwan’s Mazu temples continuously promote sustainable development concepts. For instance, during the Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage, the temple encourages participants to reduce the use of single-use plastic products. After the event, the temple initiates cleanup efforts to minimize the environmental impact. These measures enhance environmental awareness among devotees and reflect the integration of religious faith with modern environmental protection.
With the mass migration of Chinese communities to Southeast Asia during the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Mazu faith spread to countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand. Tianhou Temples, established by these Chinese communities, have become cultural and religious pillars in these regions.
In Malaysia, Selangor’s Tianhou Temple is a well-known Mazu temple that integrates sustainable practices. The temple regularly organizes environmental events, promoting waste sorting and reducing plastic usage. It has also installed solar panels to advocate for renewable energy, reducing dependence on traditional energy sources.
Singapore’s Thian Hock Keng Temple, a major religious center for the local Chinese community, not only venerates Mazu but also advances environmental and sustainable development initiatives. The temple promotes a “plastic-free festival,” encouraging devotees to bring their own reusable bags and bottles. Energy-saving equipment has been installed in the temple to reduce carbon emissions. At the same time, the temple frequently organizes community cleanup activities to raise environmental awareness among local residents.
Blending Tradition with Modernity, Mazu Temples in Europe and the Americas Become Bridges for Cultural Exchange Between East and West
In the late 20th century, with the wave of Chinese immigration, the Mazu faith expanded to countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia. In these nations, Mazu temples have become crucial spaces for Chinese communities to maintain their culture and faith, while also integrating into local environmental and charitable activities.
In the United States, San Francisco’s Mazu Temple serves as a spiritual cornerstone for the local Chinese community, with devotees regularly visiting to pray for peace and happiness. Meanwhile, Los Angeles’ Tianhou Temple has taken sustainability a step further by organizing tree-planting events and maintaining the temple’s surrounding green spaces. The temple actively promotes ecological balance, participating in charitable events and educating its followers on energy conservation and sustainable living practices.
In Europe, the Mazu faith has also spread to countries like France and the United Kingdom. In these regions, Mazu temples serve not only as religious centers but also as hubs for cultural exchange and environmental action, providing a vital window into Chinese culture for locals. The interaction between religious faith and society strengthens cross-cultural understanding and fosters environmental protection practices.
The Transcendent Mazu Faith: Blending Cultural Exchange with Environmental Action Across Borders
The global expansion of the Mazu faith has evolved beyond mere religious dissemination; it now represents the cultural adaptation and heritage of Chinese communities within the context of globalization. From mainland China to Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and across to Europe and the Americas, many Mazu temples have integrated sustainable development concepts. Through environmental initiatives and sustainability measures, these temples illustrate the blending of religious belief with the demands of modern society.
Whether through coastal cleanups, energy conservation, carbon reduction, or the promotion of green tourism and tree planting, Mazu temples continue to uphold traditional culture while merging religion with the ideals of modern sustainability. As a global cultural force, the Mazu faith will continue to play a significant role in fostering cross-cultural exchange and environmental protection worldwide.
The World Knows the Eastern Mazu! A Global Comparison of the Influence of Mazu Temples
As the Mazu faith spreads across the globe, Chinese communities have become increasingly devoted to this belief, and Mazu temples around the world have become symbols of religious and cultural identity for the global Chinese diaspora, exerting significant influence. According to online surveys, the top three most influential Mazu temples globally are the Meizhou Mazu Temple, Dajia Jenn Lann Temple, and Beigang Chaotian Temple. These temples, with their long histories and grand religious events, attract numerous devotees annually.
Following closely, the 4th to 10th ranked Mazu temples are located in Macao’s A-Ma Temple, Hong Kong’s Tin Hau Temple, Singapore’s Thian Hock Keng Temple, Malaysia’s Thean Hou Temple,Philippines’s Ma-Cho Temple, Los Angeles’s Tianhou Temple, and Vietnam’s Thien Hau Temple. These temples, spread across different continents, serve as essential religious and cultural pillars for local Chinese communities.
In addition, the temples ranked 11th to 20th include: Tainan Grand Matsu Temple, Lugang Tianhou Temple, Nangan Tianhou Temple, Songshan Ciyou Temple in Taipei, Gongtian Temple, Penghu Tianhou Temple, Donglong Temple in Donggang, Guandu Temple in Taipei, Magong Tianhou Temple, and Quanzhou Tianhou Temple. Each of these temples holds deep religious and cultural influence in their respective regions.
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