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In Taiwanese folk religion, Earth God oversees all matters just like a community supervisor. This divine being although not the supreme one, is considered the most common and popular with the masses. Guangming Fu-Teh Temple:The Earth God Temple (also known as the Earth God at NCTU and nicknamed the Earth God who loves Grass Jelly) locales at the NCTU Guangfu Campus. During major examinations, many believers and students come to this temple to pray and ask for blessings so they can pass their exams. The grass jelly brand identified with the Earth God is “TAISUN Mesona Tea”. Frequent visitors and young devotees as well as an altar filled with grass jelly cans are a common sight.
This study aims to explore and analyze Guangming Fu-Teh Temple, its history, current status, organization and activities of believers by means of field survey and literature review. It discusses the evolution of this small temple, which has gained popularity not only in Hsinchu but also in entire Taiwan. It also analyzes the special persona and function of the Earth God. Furthermore, it discusses the utilitarianism of Taiwanese folk beliefs and the relationship between efficacy and good attendance. The researcher hopes that this thesis can serve as a reference on folk beliefs and initiate further studies about the Earth God.
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