Category: Indo-European
The influence of Indic and European culture have been profound in Taiwanese life. Buddhism—a religion, philosophy and way of life that originated in the Indian subcontinent—dominates the Taiwanese spiritual scene. One may also be surprised to find that the first successful non-Austronesian culture to colonize Taiwan did not come from nearby China or Japan; but rather, from the Netherlands in the far west of Eurasia. European folklore has, as a result, been mixing with indigenous Taiwanese traditions since the 1600s.
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Bodhidharma Tales: Origin of Zen Buddhism
In the heart of the Shaolin Temple, nestled among the ancient halls and towering trees, Bodhidharma, founder of Zen, sat in deep meditation.
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The Buddha
The story of the Buddha is a great source of inspiration and serves as a guide for millions of Buddhists in Taiwan and around the globe.
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Oriental Beauty: How Formosa Tea Shaped Taiwan
In the 1800s, Taiwan’s Formosa tea made merchants rich and drove social progress impacting female workers, banking and workers’ benefits.
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The Island’s Many Names
Taiwan has had many names over the centuries. What do they mean? Where do they come from? Here’s a rundown of these names and their origins!
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A Timeline of Taiwanese History
Taiwan has a long and colourful history. From Austronesian cultural explosions to modern tech booms, it has never ceased to amaze.
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Nine Categories of Taiwanese Folklore
We organize Taiwanese folklore into nine broad and overlapping categories. Four based on ethnic origin, and five on folkloric genre!
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That Time a Frenchman Pretended to be Taiwanese in 1704
In 1704, the fantastical book “Description of Formosa” was published in London, England—and it was full of nonsense and gobbledygook!
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The Dutch East India Company and Its Taiwanese Legacy
This is the story of how the Dutch East India Company arrived in Taiwan, named it, yanked it from its slumber and pushed it upon the world stage!
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Writing the Taiwanese Language: The POJ Story
This is the story of a bizarre and fascinating writing system, developed in the 1800s, used to write the Taiwanese language.
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From Far Formosa: A Canadian-Taiwanese Story
How Canadian George Leslie Mackay built Taiwan’s Presbyterian Christian Church and brought healthcare to thousands.