Premier Mao Chi-kuo attended the reception ceremony in Taichung City last night welcoming the Dajia Ma Zu Pilgrimage procession back to Dajia Jenn Lann Temple after a nine-day patrol.
The Dajia Ma Zu Pilgrimage is reputed as one of the three greatest religious festivals in the world and is recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Carrying a statue of the goddess Ma Zu, the pilgrims traversed more than 300 kilometers across Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin and Chiayi, visiting more than 100 temples and dozens of townships before returning to Dajia Jenn Lann Temple last night.
The premier congratulated the faithful for walking all the way with Ma Zu during her patrol while also finding life meaning and values in the process. He also conveyed great joy about participating in this major Taiwanese religious event personally. At the ceremony for Ma Zu's homecoming and the resettling of Ma Zu on the altar, he expressed hope that such a significant event can inspire more people to engage in social welfare, do good works and benefit mankind so that society and the nation will become better and more harmonious.
The Ma Zu pilgrimage returned to Dajia Jenn Lann Temple in the wee hours today. Escorted by temple president Yen Chin-piao and Legislator Yen Kuan-heng, Premier Mao and the delegation welcomed Ma Zu's palanquin at the temple's plaza and accompanied it to the temple sanctuary, where Ma Zu was settled. After offering incense, flowers and fruits, the premier prayed for Ma Zu to protect Taiwan, for the state to be prosperous and for its people to live in peace and harmony.