App幫助信徒儘管人不在寺廟裡也能收到神明建議。在做重要決定之前，台灣人通常會到廟裡尋求指點。但由於工作關係，許多人通常不住在家鄉，或常在辦公室工作到很晚，因此不能如願經常拜訪他們偏好的寺廟。南臺灣一座寺廟現在想出了可能的解決辦法：讓民眾尋求神明指點的app。

屏東縣鎮海宮在看到他們的網站大獲成功後，想出了這個原創概念。鎮海宮在2005年開設網站，提供民眾線上算命的服務。這個網站不只受到熱烈歡迎，也使得親自造訪寺廟的民眾人數大幅提升。寺廟紀錄顯示，自從網站上線後，香客增加了三成。

算命，或占卜，是道教信仰的中心，道教也是台灣主要宗教信仰之一。儘管信念和習俗是舊有的，但先進科技如智慧型手機app等能幫助信仰在科技時代中向前邁進。廟方表示，app將從明年起開始發行。

(Life) Taiwanese Temple Launches Divination App

The app will help worshippers receive advice while theyre away from the temple.

Before making important decisions, people in Taiwan often go to temples to seek guidance. Since jobs often take people away from their home towns or keep them working in their offices until late at night, many are unable to visit their preferred temple as often as they would like. One temple in the south of Taiwan has now come up with a possible solution: an app that allows people to ask for advice.

The Jhen Hai Temple in Pingtung County came up with the original idea after seeing that its website was a success. The temple launched the site in 2005 to offer people online fortune-telling services. Not only has the site proven to be very popular, but it has also led to a large increase in people visiting the temple in person. Temple records show that it has enjoyed a 30% increase in visitors since the website went online.

Fortune telling, or divination, is a central part of the Taoist faith, which is one of Taiwans major religions. Although the beliefs and practices are ancient, advancements like smartphone apps can help the faith move in the technology age. The temple says the app will be available from next year.

資料來源:Yam news/FunDay-2012.10.25

圖片來源:南港護國九天宮/修緣雜誌社