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Religion and Custom

charitable services to the public, including medical and general care for the young and the elderly. The association also runs 13 secondary schools, seven primary schools and seven kindergartens.

The major Buddhist festival takes place on Buddha's birthday, on the eighth day of the fourth month in the lunar calendar, which is observed as a public holiday in Hong Kong. On that day, followers visit Buddhist temples across the city to pay homage.

Taoism

Taoism is an indigenous religion of China with a 2,000-year history. Laozi, revered as the deity. Taishang Laojun by Taoists, is traditionally regarded as the founder of Taoism and the author of the Tao Te Ching, the main early Taoist text, dated to the late 4th century BC.

There are over one million Taoist followers and more than 300 Taoist abbeys and temples in Hong Kong, according to a survey carried out by the Hong Kong Taoist Association in 2010. The Hong Kong Taoist Association, formed by representatives of major Taoist temples and Taoists in 1967, organises a wide range of religious, cultural and charitable activities to promote the Taoist belief of the unity of heaven and man and Taoist scriptures, doctrines and moral values. These activities include the annual Taoist Day held on the second Sunday of March to celebrate the birthday of Taishang Laojun, the triennial Taoist Blessing Ceremony held on the 15th day of the 10th lunar month, lectures on Taoist scriptures and philosophy, Tai Chi classes and Taoist music classes.

The Taoist community in Hong Kong provides a range of educational, social and charitable services, including running more than 40 schools and kindergartens and subsidising courses. offered by universities and tertiary institutions. They also operate clinics, homes for the elderly, care and attention homes, child care centres and community service centres in Hong Kong and provide strong funding support for education, poverty alleviation and medical care on the Mainland. They also assist in the building and repair of a number of Taoist temples in the Mainland.

Confucianism

Confucianism is a religious, ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius, who lived in ancient China from 551 to 479 BC. His teachings are based on a moral code for human relations which emphasises the importance of tradition and rites. Confucianism has deeply influenced the academic, political, economic and social institutions of China through the ages.

Confucianism's main feast days are Confucius's birthday on the 27th day of the eighth lunar month and Mencius's birthday on the second day of the fourth lunar month. Confucian organisations in Hong Kong include the Confucian Academy, the Confucian Association and Confucius Hall. The Confucian Academy, founded in Hong Kong in 1930, promotes the inclusion of Confucian ideas in primary, secondary and university teaching. Its Confucian Tai Shing Schools incorporate the principles of Confucianism in their education and curriculum.

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