The Taipei Confucius Temple Governing Board invited 100 senior deacons to pass on their experience serving in the position, Chen Tsai-hung, executive secretary of the organization, said April 22.
The event, held at the temple April 20, also featured an exhibition of photos from past ceremonies.
“Deacons are responsible for the smooth flow of the Confucian rites held every spring and fall, including offering incense, lighting candles and guiding ceremonial officers,” Chen said. “As many deacons have aged, we hope they can share their experience and the traditions can be passed on.”
Chen added that Taipei Confucius Temple and Taipei Municipal Ming Lun High School have cooperated on training deacons, with a special focus on deportment.
According to Chen, the autumn ceremony falls on Confucius’ birthday—September 28—every year, while the spring rite takes place on the fourth day of the first cycle of the tenth celestial stem, in lunar February. Many of the senior deacons have taken part in the ceremonies for decades.
“Currently, 92-year-old Chen Hsi-shuo, whose family has served the temple for three generations, is the oldest deacon, while 20-year-old Wang Kai-ping is the youngest,” Chen said. (SDH)
Write to Grace Kuo at mlkuo@mofa.gov.tw