Taiwanese temple's 'Gā diàn' catchphrase sparks viral trend, clarifies divine meaning

The phrase "Gā diàn" (God damn), which has ignited a fervent imitation trend across Taiwan, has propelled the Xuanji Temple into the national spotlight. Wu Xinru, representing the "Jidian Chan Master" of the temple, addressed the widespread online discussions in her first-ever livestream, characterizing the commentary as a "围剿" (witch hunt) by "酸民" (haters).

Wu asserted that the temple has become more famous than celebrities, dominating headlines for three consecutive days without any advertising. She explained that from a divine perspective, "Gā diàn" does not represent a curse but rather an "awkward discharge of energy" by deities, a concept she attributed to "alien culture" that humans have misinterpreted as profanity. She urged the public not to judge divine matters with a secular mindset, noting the phrase's pervasive influence, with children and even infants reportedly learning it before "mama" or "dada."

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Gā diàn is not a curse word from the perspective of gods and buddhas. It's when the gods feel awkward, so they 'discharge energy.' This is just the 'Gā diàn' culture of aliens, but mortals have over-interpreted it as a dirty word.

Despite facing what she described as slander and rumors, Wu acknowledged that the public's attention has led to the temple's overnight fame. The surge in popularity has attracted numerous tourists, temple personnel, and performers to visit and take photos. Even a small steel pole outside the temple has become a more popular photo opportunity than Sun Moon Lake. Wu humorously mimicked tourists posing for photos, suggesting the installation of a popularity leaderboard and photo spot outside the sacred gate.

She believes the temple's current fame surpasses that of politicians and popular idols, attributing this to internet algorithms that amplify trending content. Wu also addressed criticisms regarding weather predictions, explaining that rain during processions was a divine sign, and the subsequent clearing was a manifestation of the deities' presence, rendering a sedan chair unnecessary. She argued that the absence of a sedan chair was not a failed prophecy but a demonstration of divine arrival.

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The public's push has made the temple famous overnight. This has attracted countless tourists, temple staff, and Ba Jia Jiang performers to come and take photos.