Last semester saw four groups of our students win four naitonal-level innovation projects in the competions with others in our university. One of the Project is A Study of the Mazu Culture on Meizhou Island . It happens that Ms Zhang Ling and I are the mentors for our two students Guo Yanyan and Gao Xuejing who are in charge of the project. Therefore we need some field trips. We first paid a visit to the Original Temple to Mazu. One of the directors of the Board of the Original Temple to Mazu, Mr. Zhang received us and shared us lot of informaiton and books on Mazu, which are very helpful for the project. Then we looked around the temple. There are many magnificent buildings, carvings and scripts in memory of Goddess Mazu. Finally we came to the Mazu Cultural Exchange Association of China. Mr. Yan and Mr. Chen, heads there received us warmly and gave us a very enlightening or even unheard introduction about the origin of the Mazu belief and the present influence of her belief. The hightight of the belief in their opinions is to uphold kindness and ethics which are positive these days.They think the guard and guide of the beleif is vital for all the folks who believe.

At the end of the trip, we teachers and our students all felt nice with the visit. There are many new thoughts popping up. We have a better idea about our project and are much clearer about what we should write about it. Indeed seeing is believing.

A Visit to the Original Temple to Mazu on Meizhou Island

Meeting with Mr.Zhang of the Board of the Original Temple to Mazu

A Visit to the Mazu Cultural Exchange Association of China and Mazu Museum

A discussion with Mr. Yan and Mr. Chen, heads of the Mazu Cultural Exchange Association of China

Reported by Joe and Connie