25-1-2025 (KAOHSIUNG) A Buddhist temple in Taiwan’s southern port city has found itself embroiled in an unusual confrontation between spirituality and simians, as footage emerged of a monk wielding an air gun to ward off invasive macaques.
The incident, which occurred at Yuanheng Temple in Kaohsiung’s Gushan District on 24 January, has sparked both amusement and debate on social media after a local resident captured video of the unconventional deterrent method.
The temple, situated near Chaishan Mountain, has long grappled with recurring visits from the area’s bold monkey population, which has become increasingly problematic for local residents and religious practitioners alike.
In the footage, shared on the social media platform Threads, a monk clad in traditional grey robes is seen brandishing an air gun to discourage the unwanted simian visitors, marking a departure from more conventional Buddhist approaches to wildlife management.
“The situation perfectly encapsulates the growing tension between urban development and wildlife in Kaohsiung’s Gushan District,” said the video’s original poster, who wryly noted that “sometimes Buddhist principles need a little physical assistance.”
The incident has prompted a flurry of humorous responses online, with social media users drawing parallels to popular culture. “Is this the Matrix or a monastery?” quipped one commenter, whilst another observed that “marksmanship, too, can be a path to enlightenment.”
The temple’s proximity to Shoushan, also known as Chaishan Mountain, has made it particularly vulnerable to macaque incursions.
