The Zhulin Mountain Divine Pig Competition is so loving! Painted pigs, bread pigs to environmentally friendly pigs, believers: the important thing is worship.

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The animal protection group named the Guanyin Temple in Zhulinshan, Linkou, which "holds the most divine pigs in Taiwan" (Note 1), to hold three divine pig competitions a year for the few Guanyin temples (Note 2) that retain the weight of divine pigs. Animal protection groups have called on the temple and believers to stop encouraging animal abuse and killing.

This year, the turtle mountain area "Tai Hu Ping position" ("Ping position" is a proxy for the rotation area), which celebrates this year's "Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Anniversary Day". The six townships participating in the competition reached a consensus to replace "real pigs" with "creative god pigs". The scene was full of bread pigs, fruit pigs and environmentally friendly pigs, and believers scrambled to take photos and become the focus of attention for alternative sacrifices. Believers say that if the current offering takes the all-vegetarian route, the acceptance of the residents is higher, and "the effect of the festival can also be achieved."

This year's "Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Memorial Day" is the turn of the Turtle Mountain Dahuping site, with a total of six miles of villagers participating in the event. The third from the left in the front row is Huang Mingzhu, the head of the culture. (photo / Lin Xiejun)

Little knowledge: part of the Shenzhu weight competition was accused. In order to make the Shenzhu "gain weight" continuously, the Shenzhu was often restricted, forced to feed, and even so fat that he could not stand, paralyzed, and his body was covered with bedsores; and the night before the ceremony, he was also treated in rough ways such as five-flower binding and trailer hanging, and the slaughter process lacked human means such as electric shock, but directly cut his throat and bled. The process of activities often leads to criticism of animal cruelty.

Show off your creativity! Bread pig and environmental protection pig appear on the stage.

Every year, September 19 of the lunar calendar is the "Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Memorial Day" in Zhulin Mountain. This year, it is the turn of the Turtle Mountain Dahuping site, with a total of six-mile villagers participating. Today (17) at 8: 00 in the morning, the temple courtyard square was packed with crowds and "pigs". One after another, "creative god pigs" were carried into the venue, of which only one "real pig" took part in the competition.

Tsai Zhaozhi, the head of the Great Lake, invited villagers to collect empty bottles of Baote, washed them and stuffed them into plastic buckets to make pigs. The appearance was decorated with discarded CDs, and then dug holes in the washbasin to make pig heads, proudly showing "the most environmentally friendly pigs." Tsai Zhaozhi says that "environmentally friendly pigs" can not only promote the concept of waste reduction, but also enhance the happiness of residents in the DIY process. "these are all made by our residents themselves, not ready-made. Shenzhu will be displayed in the village as a souvenir."

The Great Lake shows "green pigs", using recycled empty bottles and exhaust discs to produce creative pigs. (photo / Lin Xiejun) "Pig" is only a symbol of tribute, it still has a ceremonial effect.

Dahuali, Wenqingli, Gongxili and Lesanli also display "bread god pigs", which are giant pigs made up of Shaqima, biscuits and shaped pig bread, respectively.

Chien Chiao-ting, director of Wenqing Li, says that it is the consensus of the whole region to take the route of "creative god pig" this year. The real pig can be represented by the furnace owner. "I also hope that the important thing is that the 'pig' is just a symbol of offering. our 'bread pig' will also be distributed to the masses of believers after noon worship, and everyone can also eat good 'god pork'."

Huang Chin-fang, the director of Leshan Lane, also wants to express his point of view, pointing out that now that the offering is all-vegetarian, the acceptance of the residents is higher. Dahuali said that at present, there are many industrial areas in Guishan District and there are few pig farmers, so the most convenient way to worship is to use fruit pigs and bread pigs instead. "the effect of the festival can also be achieved."

Dahuali makes "Bread Pig". After worship, it will be distributed to the people at the scene. (photo / Lin Xiejun) "painted Pig" Super Kawayi believers: the important thing is to worship.

What attracted the most attention was a three-meter-high pink painted pig standing in the center of the venue, with a skeleton made of wire, covered with paper, painted bright pink purple and decorated with rice fruit biscuits. The advertisement sign master surnamed Chen, who is in charge of the operation, said that the pig took a week to make and was deliberately matched with a cartoon version of its watery eyes. "the pig's eyes are usually small, but I want to make it cute, so that the children will want to get close."

Huang Mingzhu, the head of the culture, explains the origin of this "painted pig." he says that the current social structure is dominated by industry and commerce. "many people actually don't know how to kill pigs, they don't have the ability to kill pigs, and they don't want to kill pigs at the same time." Therefore, the choice of interesting ways to present the image of the god pig can also show gratitude to the gods, and the "painted pig" can also provide the public with photos and fun afterwards. He stressed, "what is important is the intention of worship, which cannot be diminished, but it must be found in a way that is more acceptable to the majority of the people in order to continue to build consensus and maintain traditional beliefs."