Death has always been a taboo topic in Chinese culture. However, the first generation of Dachen People who retreated from Dachen Island to Taiwan in 1955 considered wealthy afterlife as the greatest purpose of their life. “Burning Paper Vault” then becomes the highlight of their birthday ceremony. “Paper House” or “Paper Vault” is a traditional burial custom in Taiwan. Usually, the activity is conducted near the end of the Dharma convention one day before the funeral event. All families gather together at the “gathering vault” with the highest hope for the deceased that they can be settled and receive abundant wealth as well as gorgeous house in their afterlife, which will in turn give blessings and protection upon the relatives still in the mortal realm. This thesis discusses people’s hope for afterlife with Dachen’s paper vault and Taiwanese paper house/paper money as the theme as well as their meanings and symbolization. Firstly, it describes KMT’s defeat in the Battle of Yijiangshan Islands with CCP in 1955, in which the residents on the islands retreated to Taiwan under KMT Government’s shelter in the Operation King Kong assisted by American forces and the Operation Wyvern solely completed by the ROC Armed Forces. The refugees scattered across 12 cities and counties in Taiwan, and 35 new villages for Dachen People were built as their permanent residence. The Dachen New Village in Hualien is the subject in this thesis. The villagers sheltered by the KMT Government gradually restored their old customs based on the experiences of the members of “Jiolong Club” and “Bafo Club” and turned the original burial customs into celebration of birthday, which then became the most wanted wish in their daily life. In Chapter Three, the thesis explores the “paper house” and “paper money” used in funeral event in Taiwan. Since ancient times, Chinese people got the concept of grave goods, extending the comfortable life of the deceased when they’re still alive. As for “paying” and “distributing to other ancestors,” such customs derive from The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord Five Celestial Dipper Condition Repayment Scripture and The Heavenly Lord of Numinous Treasure Condition of Prosperity Scripture in Taoism as well as Buddha Speaks the Life and Repaying Sutra of Buddhism. They also symbolize people’s hope for prosperity and wealth in the future. In Chapter Four, with Professor Cheng Chin Min’s belief of life and death being the core, the thesis discusses the concept, ritual, and meaning of Dachen’s paper house and gold ingots as well as Taiwanese paper vault and paper money, whose distinctions are listed as well. Chapter Five describes the conclusion of the thesis and proposes the researcher’s perspectives towards life and death. There is still much room and directions for further studies as the reference for researchers in the future.
