Translated by Cara Steenstra
News released by Government Information Office
Release Date: 2006-04-15

The very popular Taichung City Confucius Temple well wishing activity took place on April 14, over 500 students and their parents took part in the well wishing ceremony that morning. Under the guidance of Mayor Jason Hu, every one burned incense and asked for Confucius' blessings for success during the exam period. Mayor Hu also wished all the students success in their school examinations.

When the ceremony began, as the master of ceremony, Mayor Hu first wished everyone success in their school examinations. Then he continued to read out well wishing words. The 600 well wishers were led in prayers to Confucius for a minute. They paid respects to Confucius, and under the leadership of the masters of ceremony Mayor Hu, every well wisher passed through the dragon's gate to take a bow before Confucius.

After praying to Confucius, the students wrote their wishes down on wish cards and placed them in the wish box. This box will then be placed in front of Confucius for three days, in the hope of bringing good luck to all those who have exams. Taichung's Confucius Temple is the first in Taiwan to offer free well wishing activities to students, and has been very popular since 2003.