The narrative of Buddhism in Taiwan is divided into three parts that
reflect the dramatic changes the island has been through in the last three
centuries. The first chapter stresses that the distinctive evolution of Buddhism
on the island has been shaped by the nature of Taiwan as an immigrant
society. Although some continuity with the tradition in the mainland
has been maintained in particular the reliance by the clergy on good
relations with the government for its survival important discontinuities
have emerged early. In particular, Charles Jones argues that privately built
temples have been more commonplace in Taiwan than on the continent
because of the weakness of the central governmentÕs control over the island
(p. 7). As a result of that phenomenon, heterodox practices have been
common in Taiwan.