During COVID, temples have been severely impacted by the loss of visitors. And that hit not just the temple itself, but everyone who depends on temple culture to make a living. Even at Longshan Temple, one of Taipei’s most iconic religious sites, the pandemic has left its mark. The bustling maze of streets around the temple once hosted dozens of stores selling religious items. Now those businesses are struggling to stay afloat. Let’s take a look.
In bygone years, Longshan Temple brought prosperity to its neighborhood. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, visitor numbers took a steep dive. In today’s Taiwan, changing family dynamics mean religious habits are shifting, and the demand for Buddhist home supplies is falling. The 50 or 60 Buddhist shops that once thronged this district have now dwindled to just a dozen or so.
Chang Wen-chieh
Buddhist supplies store owner
There are fewer religious events. Locals don’t light incense when they come to pray at the temple, and young people don’t come and pray at all. They used to buy a whole set of supplies, but now folks just buy a single item, so the sales volume has changed radically.
This Buddhist supplies store owner says wood and bronze prices have gone up but sales have gone down: He’s caught on both sides.
Chang Wen-chieh
Buddhist supplies store owner
My customers don’t have such big budgets as they used to, and they’re not as keen to purchase as they were. It’s not a life necessity. Our production costs are going up and up, and as costs rise, our profits gradually decrease.
Hung Wen-ho
Taipei Business District and Industrial Confederation
I think many stores are pivoting, to offer art and crafts and the like. That’s not to say it won’t have a big impact on them. Of course if you don’t change then it will have a big impact.
Business rents are high, the price of raw materials is high, and sustaining a business in COVID is no mean feat. For these traditional stores, new ventures are the name of the game.
