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Practically every denomination of the Christian faith, as well as
Judaism, Islam and other Oriental religions are represented here, but the
bulk of Hong Kong people still practice
traditional forms of Chinese religion. Most Hong Kong Chinese are both
Taoist and Buddhist. There are around three hundred and sixty temples
throughout Hong Kong.
Taoism is based on the writings of Lao Tse
and aims to put mankind in context with nature. Its philosophies are in
perpetual debate and defy an in-a-nutshell explanation. Tao itself is
usually translated as "The Way".
The world best knows the Taoist yin-yang expression, in which
all existence struggles infinitely to find harmony. Gods must be worshipped
and spirits appeased. Specialists in feng
shui or geomancers are often employed before
a house is built to check that no spirits will be disturbed during the building
process.
Buddhism is originally from India
and is based on principles of dharma and the after life, which include
spiritual and moral codes that are little known outside Hong Kong's monk
and nun sister and brotherhoods which are mainly to be found in the New Territories. Buddha's birthday is
celebrated on the eighth day of the fourth moon (he celebrated his 2,549th
birthday in 2005).
Confucianism although not a religion has permeated Chinese thought
and personal relationships as well as national regimes for more than two
millennia. In its popular form Taoism can be said to be a religion,
but it did not begin this way. Buddhism was the first all-embracing
religion for the Chinese. Buddhist and Taoist worshippers do not gather in
large congregations, however, funeral services are religious rituals and
represent rare occasions when people need to assemble.
Church notices are posted in the Saturday edition of The South
China Morning Post (SCMP) newspaper, and radio RTHK broadcast weekly
ecumenical programmes.
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