TAIPEI, Taiwan, March 16 (UPI) -- A Buddhist temple in Taiwan was forced to close after hundreds protested its support for the opposition party in next Saturday's presidential election.
The Chungtai Temple in Puli has been the center of protests by supporters of President Chen Shui-bian, since Buddhist Master Wei Chueh last week urged his followers to vote for opposition candidate Lian Chan, the Taipei Times reported Tuesday.
Wei also called Taiwan's referendum illegal and urged Buddhists to boycott it.
The president's Democratic Progressive Party said it would send volunteers to guard the temple after 100 of its supporters protested there on Sunday. The temple has received angry letters, and Buddhist followers have been harassed or prevented from entering.
On Monday Wei announced he would close the temple for a month.
Other Buddhist leaders have criticized Wei, saying his stance is undemocratic and his behavior humiliating to Buddhists.
The incidents underscore the sharp divisions and strong emotions that surround the presidential election and referendum.
