The Long-Shan Temple had long been the spiritual strength for the local folk beliefs in Taipei. The medicine buddhas were worshipped, people pray and ask for the herbal prescriptions for their illness by the draw lots ritual. The Herb Lane located next to Long-Shan Temple was therefore prosperous at that time.
It is worth mention that one of the crucial concept of taking herb as medicine: herb is beneficial if you take it right, and it is also harmless if you take it wrong. On the other hand, the philosophy of taking fresh herb is to eat according to the changes of seasons, since the seasonal herbs are always the freshest ones. In sum, the herbal-draw-lots culture is the realization of the folk’s faith in both the religion and the traditional culture.
However, as the national health insurance system becomes comprehensive, the herbal business declines rapidly and is now seen as the sunset industry. The young generations gradually disconnect with the herbs, remaining the old herb shops and old generations stick to the long-standing culture.
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