My students educated me today on a few practices that happen when a person dies. The first thing they do is put the body in a freezer until there is an auspicious day according their calendar and tradition. Today must of been one of those days, because I a saw 3 funerals going on today.
They put tents at the edge of their townhouse type home. This tent usually goes out onto the street. So the driver has to be aware of different unexpected obstacles including a tent for a funeral.
In the tent is the dead person in a type of freezer. Someone has to stay with the body at all times. If a cat or possibly any animal crosses over it, this is supposed to bring bad luck. So the person makes sure this does not happen.
On student informed me that they are not allowed to speak each others' names. If you do, the dead person's spirit could go into you. This is considered bad.
They are very concerned about the dead person's spirit going to a good resting place. They burn fake money and many fake things like houses, cars, etc that is believed to end up on the other side for the person to use.
About a month ago there was a funeral procession. I was told we needed to turn our backs to it so that the spirit of the dead person would not enter us.
Fear and concern about where the dead person's spirit ends up is a main concern. They believe that if the funeral goes well, that the spirit will once again be reincarnated.
This is a far cry from our way of thinking. Please keep people in Taiwan in your prayers that they will come to know Jesus and need not fear death.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Saturday, October 20, 2007
God has give me some wonderful friends here in Taiwan. I am sitting with Phebe, Winnie and Tanya (those are there English names). Once a week I spend the night at Winnie's house because my English classes on Thursdays and Fridays are close to her house (and far from my house). This has been a great experience as I am learning things about the culture that just don't come up in usual conversation.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Culture - beliefs in Spirits/Ghosts
During an English class, a student, about 20 years old, told me that if she goes on vacation to Hong Kong, she will not be able to take a shower by herself, she will need to have her friend with her in the bathroom. She went on to explain that it had to do with a dream that she had. In this dream she saw a ghost sitting on the toilet while she was in the shower. This really scared her. Now she is wondering if she should go to Hong Kong.
This past week a student (about 50 years old) told me that she was having a hard time adjusting her sleep. She was feeling stressed and worn down after returning from a trip to Europe. She was concerned that a spirit possessed her because she visited many old churches in Europe.
A newspaper article reported about a man who was wronged by a woman. He committed suicide. In a note he left behind, he threatened to hurt this woman as a ghost when he is dead.
In several classes I have asked my students (all adults) how many believe in ghosts and spirits. They kind of look at me like that is a silly question, because they all do. It's like asking how many people believe there is a sun and a moon.
It is comely believed that when a person dies he/she becomes a ghost. But what type of life they have as a ghost depends on how well the family treats the dead relative. For the funeral, it is common to burn miniature houses, cars, and other things, including fake paper money. It is believed that when these things are burned, the dead relative will be able to use them. After that, there are certain holidays they put food out and burn fake paper money. It is believed that their dead relatives will get them. It is also done to appease other ghosts that haven't been treated well. These mistreated ghost needs to be appeased so that they won't harm you.
August is 'ghost month'. That is the time when the spiritual world is open and ghost roam around the earth. People avoid activities like swimming because if a person drown or died at some place, that spirit could possess you. Also large purchases such as houses and cars are avoided for the same reason. A ghost might be inside and come and possess you.
These ghosts and spirits seem to be feared. People take extra efforts to avoid and appease these ghosts. It is a real part of their lives.
This past week a student (about 50 years old) told me that she was having a hard time adjusting her sleep. She was feeling stressed and worn down after returning from a trip to Europe. She was concerned that a spirit possessed her because she visited many old churches in Europe.
A newspaper article reported about a man who was wronged by a woman. He committed suicide. In a note he left behind, he threatened to hurt this woman as a ghost when he is dead.
In several classes I have asked my students (all adults) how many believe in ghosts and spirits. They kind of look at me like that is a silly question, because they all do. It's like asking how many people believe there is a sun and a moon.
It is comely believed that when a person dies he/she becomes a ghost. But what type of life they have as a ghost depends on how well the family treats the dead relative. For the funeral, it is common to burn miniature houses, cars, and other things, including fake paper money. It is believed that when these things are burned, the dead relative will be able to use them. After that, there are certain holidays they put food out and burn fake paper money. It is believed that their dead relatives will get them. It is also done to appease other ghosts that haven't been treated well. These mistreated ghost needs to be appeased so that they won't harm you.
August is 'ghost month'. That is the time when the spiritual world is open and ghost roam around the earth. People avoid activities like swimming because if a person drown or died at some place, that spirit could possess you. Also large purchases such as houses and cars are avoided for the same reason. A ghost might be inside and come and possess you.
These ghosts and spirits seem to be feared. People take extra efforts to avoid and appease these ghosts. It is a real part of their lives.
Sherry
Sherry is a 30-year-old Taiwanese woman who is realizing that the answers her family and friends are giving her about life don't satisfy her deep down inside. Her family is a typical Taiwanese family whose religion is a mix of Buddhism, Taoism, ancestor worship and lots of superstitions. Like most Taiwanese families, when they worship their ancestors or do other rituals, they don't know why they do certain rituals, certain ways. They just follow the instructions passed down to them from their mom and grandmother. They are told that if they do the ritual, they will keep their ancestors or other spirits happy, so that they will have a healthy and prosperous life.
Sherry told me that one thing she likes about Christianity is that we have an explanation for the things that we do. It makes sense to her.
She is still not a Christian. She told me that she wants to believe in the truth. but doesn't think that has to be Christianity, Buddhism or any other religion. Even though there is still confusion, I still see her seeking.
Please keep praying for her.
Sherry told me that one thing she likes about Christianity is that we have an explanation for the things that we do. It makes sense to her.
She is still not a Christian. She told me that she wants to believe in the truth. but doesn't think that has to be Christianity, Buddhism or any other religion. Even though there is still confusion, I still see her seeking.
Please keep praying for her.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Funny jokes
1.The Silent Treatment
A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment. Suddenly, the man realized that the next day, he would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning business flight.
Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper, "Please wake me at 5:00 AM." He left it where he knew she would find it. The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and he had missed his flight. Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn't wakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed. The paper said, "It is 5:00 AM. Wake up."
Men are not equipped for these kinds of contest
A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment. Suddenly, the man realized that the next day, he would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning business flight.
Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper, "Please wake me at 5:00 AM." He left it where he knew she would find it. The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and he had missed his flight. Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn't wakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed. The paper said, "It is 5:00 AM. Wake up."
Men are not equipped for these kinds of contest
My life in Taiwan
Currently, much of my life is filled with my job of teaching English to adults. Teaching adults is much different than teaching children. You don't have to discipline them like children, instead they ask many more questions, keeping me on my toes. Another difference is when whn I taught children and they wanted to fall asleep, I made them stand up and do jumping jacks. You can't do that with adults. Instead, I try to fill the class with jokes and a fun atmosphere.
In return, they teach me many things about the culture, Taiwan and encourage me in my limited ability to speak Chinese. I enjoy teaching them.
I attend a bilingual church. Because English is highly sought after, the church attracts people who come to be exposed to the English. This can lead some interesting opportunities to meet people and share with them about God.
I have really been enjoying teaching a Bible Sunday school class. The purpose is to equip the believers in the church. I have learned that a weakness of the Christians in Taiwan is their Bible knowledge. It is common for them to base their faith on experiences. While this is not bad, without a solid Bible foundation, this could lead to problems.
I am going to begin taking Chinese classes again. I took them for a few months and stopped. Recently I have been teaching myself how to write. I'm looking forward to some formal instructions to help me establish a good foundation. One of the difficulties is that this language has 4 tones. It's a little like singing. However, one sound pronounced with two different tones could produce two completely different words. Makes life interesting :).
In return, they teach me many things about the culture, Taiwan and encourage me in my limited ability to speak Chinese. I enjoy teaching them.
I attend a bilingual church. Because English is highly sought after, the church attracts people who come to be exposed to the English. This can lead some interesting opportunities to meet people and share with them about God.
I have really been enjoying teaching a Bible Sunday school class. The purpose is to equip the believers in the church. I have learned that a weakness of the Christians in Taiwan is their Bible knowledge. It is common for them to base their faith on experiences. While this is not bad, without a solid Bible foundation, this could lead to problems.
I am going to begin taking Chinese classes again. I took them for a few months and stopped. Recently I have been teaching myself how to write. I'm looking forward to some formal instructions to help me establish a good foundation. One of the difficulties is that this language has 4 tones. It's a little like singing. However, one sound pronounced with two different tones could produce two completely different words. Makes life interesting :).
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