Neipu’s Mazu Temple, which is more than two hundred years old, is a very important one in the area of Hakka Liutui. It possesses historical, cultural and religious meanings. This research is focus on the religious rituals and chanting group in this Mazu Temple and the Guanyin Temple next to it. The purposes of the research include keeping a record of the rituals, observing the interaction of the chanting group, indicating the characteristics of the rituals and group, exploring the reasons and purposes that those members participate in the rituals, and finally analyzing the religious functions which reflect on the rituals and group. I use grounded theory to analyze my study. In addition to reading related materials and papers, I use participant observation and interview to collect information which has been applied to analyze the rituals and group and explore the religious functions. The research has found out that the religious rituals include sutra-reciting ritual, worshipful ritual, eighty-eight-Buddha-adoring ritual, and Wain-worshiping ritual of Taoism. These rituals have similarities and dissimilarities of several aspects such as their purposes and procedures. Besides, the reasons why those members take part in the rituals can be sorted as psychological and physiological factors, personal interests, the influences of other people, and other factors. Also, these factors can be divided into two categories- personal need and external environment. Furthermore, the characteristics of the rituals and group include “middle aged women of mid-low socio-economic status as the main participants,” “an informal group whose only common activity is the rituals carried out with Hakka,” “coexisting of Buddhism and Taoism rituals” and “flexible ways of practice.” Finally, the religious functions which reflect on the rituals and group are “removing distracting thoughts,” “gathering religious groups,” “prompting persons to learn and grow,” “strengthening religious belief” and “regulate persons’ behavior.” According to the research, the objects of the study have proved the multiple functions of religion and religious rituals, showed their positive influences upon persons and society, and manifested the value and contribution of religion in modern society.
