From May 10 to 11, the Center for Buddhist Studies at Fo Guang University (FGU), in collaboration with the Center for the Study of Chinese Religions at National Chengchi University (NCCU) and the FGU College of Buddhist Studies, jointly organized the workshop "Immigrant Buddhism and Guanyin Belief in Yilan." The event began with pre-fieldwork lectures where scholars shared their experiences and the current status of their on-site research. On the second day, the scholars led participants to visit five temples in Yilan for on-site surveys and interviews. A total of over 60 faculty members and students enthusiastically participated in the workshop.
Day 1: Special Lectures (May 10)
The lectures commenced at the Yunshui Hall of the FGU College of Buddhist Studies, focusing on two main themes: "Gender" and "Region."
The moderator, Professor Lin Hsin-Yi (Executive Secretary of the FGU Center for Buddhist Studies), opened the session by explaining: "Buddhist research can be diverse. It includes discussions on classics, literature, and doctrine, but also covers Buddhist rituals and activities related to birth, old age, sickness, and death found everywhere in daily life. We hope this workshop will take everyone to see the living, unfolding Buddhist world in Yilan, including Tibetan and Vietnamese Buddhism brought by new immigrants, as well as Guanyin beliefs introduced during the Japanese colonial period." She encouraged students to dig deeper into these diverse facets in the future.
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．Professor Li Yu-Chen shared photos and interview records from her multiple visits to Yuanshan Cihui Temple(員山慈惠寺), explaining the history and uniqueness of its Guanyin belief.
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．Professor Lin Jen-Yu presented information on Stone Guanyin(石觀音) sites and related historical records from the Japanese colonial period, which he has collected over many years. By analyzing geographical environments and urban development, he reconstructed the Buddhist sphere of life for Japanese immigrants in the Yilan area.
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．Professor Cheng Wei-Yi shared her insights and experiences in fieldwork. She illustrated a new model of Vietnamese Immigrant Buddhism developing in Taiwan by citing the example of Venerable Chunjing (a graduate of the FGU Department of Buddhist Studies) establishing Vietnamese Buddhist centers in Luodong (Yilan) and Taipei.
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．Professor Sonam Wangyal introduced Tibetan Buddhist beliefs, such as the Four-Armed Avalokitesvara(四臂觀音), and presented a Buddhist group propagating Tibetan Buddhism in the Sanxing area.
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．Professor Kan Cheng-Tsung, who has focused on surveying Buddhist temples in Yilan in recent years, concluded the lecture session and wished the participants a successful fieldwork experience the following day.
Day 2: Fieldwork (May 11)
Led by Professor Lin Hsin-Yi, a group of 42 participants embarked on the field survey.
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Fayueyuan Vihara (法悅苑精舍): Located in Sanxing Township and presided over by a Tibetan Buddhist nun.
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Ganquan Temple (甘泉寺): A temple built and managed by local elders and gentry.
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Luodong Shanfa Temple (羅東善法寺): The group was warmly hosted for a sumptuous vegetarian lunch. Abbess Cilong, who has presided over the temple for 45 years, explained the history of the temple's construction and its annual events. She also detailed the history and legends of the Japanese Stone Guanyin enshrined there.
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Beihou Temple (北后寺): The group visited this temple known for its Clay Buddha (a designated cultural asset). Participants learned about its unique evolution from a traditional folk temple to a Buddhist monastery and gained a deep appreciation for the localization of Buddhist temples and the importance of cultural preservation.
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Yuanshan Dasanjiu Cihui Temple (員山大三鬮慈惠寺): The final stop was this historic temple. Through explanations by Professor Li Yu-Chen and temple representatives, the group gained a comprehensive understanding of the temple's festivals, rituals, and daily religious activities, as well as a deeper insight into Guanyin worship in Yilan.
Through the two days of lectures and fieldwork, participants not only absorbed the valuable research experiences of Professor Li Yu-Chen and other scholars but also, under their guidance, engaged directly with temple staff and volunteers. Participants expressed that they learned a great deal about how to initiate temple fieldwork and looked forward to similar events in the future.
