Finally an idea that took 4 months to materialize..
I was welcomed warmly into the temple by the caretaker. He even blessed me with sweets that were kept as offerings to the God. As much as he would like to give me the details about the temple the language barrier made it impossible
When visiting a Chinese Buddhist temple if you are alert and tuned in you can experience what is termed in Chinese as “ling” a type of magic or presence. I felt it too.. A feeling of serenity , tranquility and peacefulness.A charged energy created by prayer ,sincere chanting and meditation of the monks.In the courtyard of the temple a chimney-like structure made of bricks, located outside the temple is used for burning joss paper to the gods, ancestors or spirits. .Joss Paper, also known as ghost or spirit money. Joss paper is also burned in traditional Chinese funerals.
Walking into the glorious hall, with elaborately decorated pillars, a traditional roof and numerous statues of deities on the altars made me aware that theres so much more to be learnt and understood about the chinese. About their mystifying culture and traditions..
I made friends with Mr. Oh, who has invited me to come back to the temple again this friday... to attend a ceremony which he promises will be spectacular....
An amateur effort ...
Singapore- Land of diversified cultures. Chinese being the largest ethnic group inhabiting the country.
This is the San Qing Gong temple.The Chinese have 3 main religions- buddism confusianism and taoism. This is a taoist temple..The Taoist trinity, San Qing (Three Pure Gods), is worshipped in Taoist halls. The San Qing Gong Temple is named after the three highest deities called the Three Pure Ones .They are Yu Qing (Jade Pure), Shang Qing (Upper Pure) and Tai Qing (Great Pure) Although the traditions and culture is alien to me I find it very fascinating. The chinese inscriptions in gold, the exquisite architecture of the temple is all so overwhelming.So many gods. So many idols.God of weatlth, god of luck, god of health and so on..Chinese Names that cannot be pronounced- at least not by me!
This temple is only 8 years old and unfortunately I have no history to share. Nevertheless, words cannot explain what I felt ,when I entered the temple.. The colours of flowers and paintwork in Red and Gold are breathtaking.The temple is filled with the incense aroma.
I was welcomed warmly into the temple by the caretaker. He even blessed me with sweets that were kept as offerings to the God. As much as he would like to give me the details about the temple the language barrier made it impossible
When visiting a Chinese Buddhist temple if you are alert and tuned in you can experience what is termed in Chinese as “ling” a type of magic or presence. I felt it too.. A feeling of serenity , tranquility and peacefulness.A charged energy created by prayer ,sincere chanting and meditation of the monks.In the courtyard of the temple a chimney-like structure made of bricks, located outside the temple is used for burning joss paper to the gods, ancestors or spirits. .Joss Paper, also known as ghost or spirit money. Joss paper is also burned in traditional Chinese funerals.
Walking into the glorious hall, with elaborately decorated pillars, a traditional roof and numerous statues of deities on the altars made me aware that theres so much more to be learnt and understood about the chinese. About their mystifying culture and traditions..
I made friends with Mr. Oh, who has invited me to come back to the temple again this friday... to attend a ceremony which he promises will be spectacular....
An amateur effort ...
I don't how you get these idea's.... only Journalist can think.... amazing many more to come and just waiting to see the next one... keep up and all the best for the next one.......
ReplyDeletegreat work...i also had a glimpse of the chinese monastery and their relegious beliefs,through ur video.
ReplyDeleteFantastic! A cultural extravaganza!
ReplyDeleteThere are 10 major religions in the world: four from the Middle East and six from the Far East. The six religions from the Far East never had any conflicts. There was no war between these six religions. Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, Shintoism and Taoism they all coexisted.
ReplyDeleteWhen President Nixon went to Japan, he had a Shinto priest on one side and a Buddhist priest on the other side. He asked the Shinto priest: What is the percentage of Shintos in Japan? The priest said: 80 percent. Then he turned to the Buddhist priest and asked him: What is the percentage of Buddhists in Japan? He said: 80 percent. Nixon was perplexed as to how this was possible. Shintos go to Buddhist temples and Buddhists go to Shinto temples. Similarly, Hindus go to Sikh gurudwaras and Sikhs go to Hindu temples. The same may be said of Hindus and Buddhists in India. Similarly in China, there is no war between Taoists and Buddhists.
The four religions in the Middle East were always at war. I think they should learn how to co-exist from the other six. Judaism and Christianity are friendly. Judaism and Islam have an issue
Fantabulous...!!!
ReplyDelete