Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou bows before the portrait of Confucius in the government office yesterday. He presided over a ceremony to commemorate the great sage on his 2,559th birthday. CNA

TAIPEI: Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou set a precedent in Confucius worship yesterday by burning incense as part of an ancient ritual to honor the great sage on his 2,559th birthday at the Tainan Confucius Temple in southern Taiwan.

It was the first time in the temple's 400-year history that the burning of incense was included in the annual ritual to commemorate the birth of the great Chinese philosopher and teacher, said Hsu Keng-hsiu, director of the Tainan city government's Department of Culture and Tourism.

Ma was also the island's first leader ever to attend the ancient sacrificial ceremony at the Tainan Confucius Temple, the oldest of Taiwan's 14 temples dedicated to the great sage, Hsu noted.

Ma arrived at the temple early in the morning and stayed for only about three minutes. He left the temple after burning the incense and did not give a public speech.

According to Hsu, the annual ritual to celebrate the sage's birthday dates back to the Koxinga period in the late Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), but there are no records of the details of the ceremony at that time.

"The ritual that is observed at the Tainan Confucius Temple today originated from the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911) and has been followed precisely without any change or modification for nearly four centuries," Hsu said.

Traditionally, the local government chief presides over the ceremony, Hsu said, adding that Ma attended as a distinguished guest.

The ancient ritual does not include the burning of incense, but Hsu said Ma's decision to do so did not necessarily violate the classic etiquette or traditional rituals.

During the ceremony, the Liuyi dance, staged by six dancers in six rows, was performed to classic Yayue music by 36 school children dressed in Qing Dynasty costumes as part of the ritual.

Similar traditional ceremonies were held at other Confucius temples throughout Taiwan yesterday to commemorate the great sage and teacher who had far-reaching influence on Chinese philosophy and culture.

Confucius' birthday is also celebrated as Teachers' Day in Taiwan to honor teachers for their dedication to nurturing the younger generations.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 09/29/2009 page2)