Goddess Belief And Community Life

Lady Taijun in the third hall in Nantang is one of the goddesses has a certain influence in Northern Zhejiang and even in the whole Taihu Lake area, she mainly plays a role of guarding women and children, and gives birth of children. Actually, Lady Taijun are grouped by three ladys, although people generally called them Lady Taijun, the youngest one who is in the third hall is especially believed in and particularly prefered.This paper selected ShiCong, the birthplace of Lady Taijun as an entry point, using the field investigation, participation in the observation, the depth interview, the direct experience and so on, which are common methods in the folklore and anthropology. This paper is divided into three parts:the history of Taijun belief, "September 16" event, the Taijun belief and people's life life rites.The author explain the change tracks of Taijun belief from the name change of Taijun Church (ie. Taijun Temple) There are two main changes:to the point of status, formed by the dependent father, Lu Gui too have become the people of God to the worship of the protagonist; from functional point of view, since the water from the revetment to pray for the child care children. The "South TaiJun BaoChan," in which people are trying to reinterpret the reason why Taijun becomes a God,----"TaiJun is an extraordinary woman". The kermess held on September 16 is to celebrate the birth of Taijun. The elderly and young people, even from Jiangsu, Shanghai and other places come to celebrate the Taijun's birthday. However, 2008 Wenchuan earthquake disturbed the Zhabixiang performing. In fact, the ceremony is being quietly out of the civil society to participate or affiliate with national events and activities. Taijun belief can be said ubiquitous. In local area, from a child's birth to adulthood,. there is a series of ceremonies around TaiJun belief. Such as "Stealing shoes", pray for breast milk and so on. People pray the bless of Goddess, or to thank Taijun.The poor and weak Song dynasty, which government by civilians produced a strange phenomenon. That is a large number of heroic spirits, who are worshiped by people and protected the local people. Some spirits are approved by goverment, Lu Gui and Taijun are two of them. However, at the beginning, people worship Lu Gui, but today Taijun. "worship likes gods exist, disrespect, gods turns into clod", which means there is no stable relationships between masses and gods.Taoism based on Yin Yang and Wu Xing, is one of the few religious respect for women. "appreciates yin and yang, equal treatment of men and women" all these features acquired women's favorite. In the course of history, Taoism constantly absorbed some goddess, such as Taijun. From historical records, we can clearly arrive at a conclusion that Taijun's original shape is one person. But in the legend, the masses linked her with Lu Dongbin, which retionalised her as a goddess in Taoism system. The author consider this phenomenon as a Taoism culture which serves itself, expands service to the community in the name of Taoism. It is not the true Taoism.