My Diary

The Lunar 7th Month Festival used to be an annual event for ancestor worship among Chinese descendants. However, my new neighbor, who recently moved in last month from mainland China, seems busier than usual. They were told by acquaintances that they should offer joss papers every day for wandering spirits during that month.   It's good to follow the tradition of 7th month prayers. However, it is also important for people to understand the meaning and purpose rather than blindly following. In Chinese tradition, the fifteenth day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar is called Zhong Yuan Festival (中元節), and the entire seventh month is commonly known as the Ghost Month. During this time, ghosts and wandering spirits, including those of deceased ancestors, revisit the mortal world from the lower realm.   Intrinsic to the Ghost Month is ancestor worship, where traditionally, the filial piety of descendants extends to their ancestors even after their deaths. Activities during

Ancestor worship is based on the belief that the bereaved family members of the deceased have a continued existence and possess the ability to influence the fortunes of the living. Early forms of ancestor worship were deeply rooted and extensively developed by the Late Neolithic Period in China. With the teachings of Confucianism and Taoism, religious traditions such as ancestor worship have become an integral part of the daily activities of Chinese descendants.   The goal of ancestor worship is to ensure the well-being of ancestors in the netherworld and sometimes to request special favors or assistance. The social function of ancestor worship is to cultivate kinship values such as filial piety, family loyalty, and the continuity of the family lineage.   The rituals of ancestor worship commonly involve making offerings to deceased ancestors to ensure their welfare in the afterlife, which is often imagined resembling earthly life. Ancestor worship typically begins with the funeral

The event was held at Dewan Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang in Penang, organized by Lean Wah Thong Chinese Temple as part of the 115th anniversary celebration of the temple, coinciding with the feast festival of Tai Shang Lao Jun, the founder of Taoism. Taoist priests and residents from Penang, along with representatives from six countries, attended the forum. The forum's theme was ' Harmonious Society, Dao in the Heart‘ 和諧社會，道在人心. According to Malaysian speaker Professor Yan, every human being has an ego. If we can balance our ego with the Great Dao, people can maintain peace and harmony without being bound by worldly knowledge and desires. Master Cheng from Malaysia asked the audience to shake hands with each other. He observed that many people smiled and showed friendliness during the handshake. This positive gesture aligns with the Taoist belief “萬物負陰而抱陽” (All things carry yin yet embrace yang). During the handshake, our inner palms, which represent 'yang' or pos

Pasir Panjang Laut is a traditional Malay fishing village located in the Sitiawan district of Perak State, Malaysia. Pian Sian Chee Tua Pek Kong Beo (品仙祠大伯公廟) currently houses the tallest consecrated stone statues of Tua Pek Kong, the Goddess of Mercy and the Goddess of the Sea, in Malaysia. These statues stand upright, facing directly towards the Straits of Malacca, extending their blessings not only for the safety of villagers but also for fishermen.   The temple's annual thanksgiving celebration falls on the 29th day of the seventh lunar calendar month. It is noteworthy that this temple allows vegetarian food offerings for prayers only, out of respect for its ethnic group. It was reported that in 1993, a senior member of the temple communicated through meditation that a statue of the Goddess of Mercy was arriving from the sea. Subsequently, the statue was discovered floating on the sea and eventually placed next to the Tua Pek Kong Temple. Over time, there were multiple instanc

As per the Chinese saying, Xi'an stands as a symbol of Chinese culture. It was once known as Chang'an, the ancient capital of the Han and Tang Dynasties. Located in Shaanxi Province, the ancient capital of Xi'an has fostered a diverse religious culture encompassing Taoism, Buddhism, and Islam. Chong Yang Gong Temple in Xi'an is dedicated to the founder of Quanzhen Taoism, Master Wang Chong Yang. The Quanzhen Sect, also known as The Complete Perfection Tradition of Taoism, emphasizes that Taoist cultivation should begin with the self. Specifically, practitioners are taught to empty themselves of selfish desires as a foundational practice. Chong Yang Gong Temple has a historical establishment of over 800 years and covers about six acres of land. The palace underwent renovations two years ago, featuring a fascinating gallery of Taoist exhibits. Among these exhibits is a sacred tower that prominently displays the remains of Master Wang Chong Yang, offering visitors a close

Feng Tien Gong Temple (松山奉天宫) is located in the bustling housing estate of Songshan in Taipei City, Taiwan. Established approximately five decades ago, the temple is dedicated to the main deity, The Jade Emperor, also known as Tian Gong. A cultural exchange program between Fujian Province of China and Taiwan was proposed by leaders of both countries. It was held towards the end of 2010 in Taiwan and titled 八音花鼓鬧廰堂. Alongside our Taoist group, other performing troupes were selected from Quanzhou, Xiamen, Shishi, Nan'an, and Yongchun. Our Taoist group was assigned to perform a blessing ceremony at Feng Tien Gong Temple. During the cultural exchange performance held at a public theater in the Taipei City Government Building, the organizers arranged for our Taoist group to collaborate with the Yongchun Senior Folks Nanyim Association in staging a joint performance of Yongchun Traditional Music, 永春鬧廰, as the opening event. This musical ensemble boasts a unique artistic style rich in loc