《114-2 SA Event》Back To School - Sweet Dumpling Party x Hamasen Daitien Temple

IBMBA & GHRM MBA Students Gather in Hamasen for Academic Blessings and Lantern Festival Tangyuan

[Kaohsiung, March 4, 2026]

With the festive spirit of the Lantern Festival still in the air, the Student Association hosted the “Back to School! Sweet Dumplings part x Hamasen Daitien Temple Tour.” The event led students into the historic temple of Hamasen to introduce one of the religious cultures in Taiwan. Beyond the traditional rituals for academic success in the new semester, the event concluded with a heartwarming Lantern Festival Reunion featuring fun games and tangyuan to symbolize a smooth and well-rounded academic journey.

Wenchang’s Blessing for Academic Success

The pilgrimage began at the Hamasen Daitian Temple, which is a local landmark. Amidst the swirling incense, students held blessing cards and prayed to the Lord of Culture and Literature, also known as Wenchang Dijun, and local deities for wisdom and exam success. For students who usually spend their days grinding away at their studies on the mountain and sea-bound Sizihwan campus, the tranquility of the historic district in Hamasen provided a much-needed sense of peace and a break from their busy academic schedules.

A Moment of Reflection: The Wenchang Blessing Card Experience

During our visit to the Wenchang Temple, participants were invited to take part in a meaningful cultural activity centered on reflection and hope. Each attendee received a golden blessing card, symbolizing good fortune and sincerity in prayer.

On the card, everyone was asked to write their full name, their date of birth, and a personal wish or aspiration. These wishes varied from hopes for academic success and personal growth to wishes for health, happiness, and future opportunities.

Through this experience, participants were able to connect not only with an important aspect of traditional Chinese culture but also with their own personal aspirations. The golden blessing cards hanging in the temple now stand as quiet reminders of the hopes and dreams shared that day.

Eating for Good Luck and Team Bonding

Following the ceremony at the temple, the group headed to a local eatery to enjoy traditional Taiwanese tangyuan together. While savoring the sweet treats, the atmosphere turned lively with a series of engaging games designed to help students get to know one another. Through a spirited Charades competition, students bridged the gap between different departments and backgrounds with laughter and teamwork.

The Student Association stated that they chose to serve tangyuan to provide students with a sense of warmth after their prayers. They explained that it symbolizes that their studies and lives can be as sweet and harmonious as the round tangyuan themselves.

After the ice break games, participants enjoyed a bowl of tangyuan (sweet glutinous rice balls) which served with an assortment of classic toppings. The desserts included chewy taro balls, tapioca pearls, mung beans, red beans, soybeans, barley, and other traditional ingredients commonly found in Taiwanese dessert culture.

The colorful bowls not only offered a refreshing treat but also provided a glimpse into Taiwan’s rich dessert traditions, where different textures and natural ingredients are combined to create both comforting and satisfying flavors. Many participants were excited to try the various toppings, discovering how each ingredient contributed its own unique taste and texture.

The stop at Hai Zhi Bing became more than just a dessert break, it was a small but memorable cultural experience, allowing everyone to appreciate the diversity and creativity of Taiwan’s traditional sweets.