1987, Kaohsiung
War of the lotus - by Ma Tai-i
Having recently moved to Kaohsiung, into what was known among foreigners as the MTV building overlooking the park, I became increasingly curious about the various events in both locations.
I took a short cut through the indoor stadium which was unusually elaborately decorated, like the inside of a temple. All the gods were there. Buddha, Ma Dzu Shou Xing (寿星 , Baosheng Dadi (保生大帝) and a wholly host of frightful looking demons with big eyes and beards. It didn't occur to me that with long brown hair, a full face beard, in fact the only beard besides the idols, I might have fit right in.
The seating faced a stage like a performance center. The crowd was mostly older people, agrarian type, not the usual city rabble, and people with far too many tattoos. I walked up the aisle and asked one who looked reasonably educated hoping that he spoke English. “ Excuse me sir, what religion is this activity?”
All eyes were upon us. What's this foreigner doing at this activity? He looks like Jesus.
He stammered in English,” Confucius.”
2 seats away another man countered,” Buddha”
And another, interjected with all too familiar vulgar expressions, “$@#%@#@ Madzu!”
Others rose up and offered less than polite corrections.
I was reminded of a barroom arguing about the football teams and I got the hell out of there as the noise levels rose too high.
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