Other Independent Religions

As introduced by the Taiwan Yearbook 2006:

There are several other independent religions in Taiwan that generally fall into one of the following four categories: religions brought to Taiwan from China; religions brought in from other countries; religions developed from existing ones; and new religions created in Taiwan.

Religions from China

From this category, the most influential religions are Li-ism and Tiender. Founded by Yang Lai-ru in the 17th century, Li-ism (the Doctrine of Order) is a synthesis of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism given a new dimension by the worship of Guan Yin. Though Li-ists worship Guan Yin, they do not reject deities of other religions. They believe that providence may be revealed in the form of other deities and prophets. Li-ists abide by the great law of Li-ism known as the Precious and Official Decrees, which were written by Yang.

Some Li-ist clergy came to Taiwan from China in 1949. The Association of Li-ism was officially reestablished in Taiwan in 1950 with its headquarters in Taipei. Today, Li-ism has spread to Korea, the United States, Hong Kong, Japan, and the Philippines.

Tiender was founded in 1923 by a young shaman, Siao Chang-ming, and was introduced into Taiwan in 1953. Tiender is a synthesis of Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam. Its adherents practice various methods of self-cultivation, health preservation, and psychic healing, such as tapping acupuncture points to cure ailments. Under the guidance of their masters, believers learn to meditate in order to search for their original being, which is free and untainted by worldly ties and yearnings.

Religions from Elsewhere

The religions in this category have comparatively few believers in Taiwan and include religious groups such as Baha'i, Judaism, and Tenrikyo.

An Iranian husband-and-wife team established Taiwan's first Baha'i center in Tainan in 1954. The religion's primary headquarters, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Taiwan, is located in Taipei.

Baha'i communities all over the world target urgent social issues in each region. Since 1990, the Baha'i community has launched joint projects with government organizations to promote environmental education.

Taiwan's small Jewish community consists of expatriates (mainly Americans, but also Israelis and Europeans) who are either long-term residents or posted to Taiwan on assignments by multinational corporations, academic institutions, or international organizations. Most of the community's activities are held in a community center maintained in the Tianmu area of Taipei. Dr. Ephraim F. Einhorn, the only rabbi in Taiwan, has been conducting services in Taiwan for more than 25 years. A small room in a five-star hotel in Taipei is used regularly as the synagogue for Shabbat services.

Tenrikyo was founded in Japan in 1838 by a woman farmer, Miki Nakayama. The religion was first introduced into Taiwan during the Japanese occupation. Since its doctrines stress respect for ancestors, filial piety, self-cultivation, and service to mankind, which resemble traditional Chinese ethics and the concept of universal brotherhood, the religion was readily accepted in Taiwan.

New Extensions

A large number of new religions in Taiwan were developed on the basis of previously existing ones. The main representative of this group is the Tienti Teachings, which was founded by Li Yu-jie in the mid-1980s after he split with Tiender. The doctrines of this new religion emphasize the cultivation of one's moral self, and it has "Twenty Words of Truth" that serve as "required daily homework" for its followers. Believers are especially concerned about nuclear war.

Religions Founded in Taiwan

Few religions fall into this category. One example is Syuan Yuan Jiao, which was formally founded in Taiwan in 1957 by 82-year-old legislator Wang Han-sheng. Syuan Yuan Jiao is aimed at raising people's sense of nationalism and at uniting philosophical thoughts from different ages, including Confucianism, Daoism, and Mohism. Syuan Yuan Jiao's main creed is respect for heaven and ancestors. Adherents abide by the principles set forth in the scriptures, the Huang Di Jing.