Chinese New Year: People in Taiwan participate in 'First Incense' competition
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In one of the most traditional ways to mark the Chinese New Year -- people in Taiwan are flocking to temples by the tens of thousands. They want to be the first ones to burn incense and pray for good luck. It is a tradition that temples in Taiwan hold, and it's called the "First Incense" competition. A cash prize goes to the winners who are the first to burn incense. It's believed that burning incense and praying on the first day of the New Year will make prayers more readily heard by the Buddha. People wish themselves and their families a happy, sound life. And it's believed that the first person to burn incense at the temple will have the best chance of seeing their wishes come true.