I also remember that the reason for the little wooden plank was to prevent floods from coming in and that when people enter the temple have to look down first. This would means bowing your head before coming in! How innovative can the older generation get.
There is actually a website for Thian Hock Keng. This is the story of Ma Zu's origin quoted from the website.Ma Zu (Goddess of the Sea)
Ma Zu is the Goddess who can calm the sea and ensure the safety of those travelling across the seas.
Original Name: Lin Mo Niang
Born in Fujian Province (Meizhou Island), China, Song Dynasty, in 960 A.D. and died on the 9th Day of 9th Lunar Month in 987 A.D.
She was familiar with the sea and had the gift of predicting the weather and foreseeing storms and torrential rain. She saved many fishermen and traders from the many dangers at sea. When she was 16, happened that her father and brother were at sea during a storm. She took a small boat and tried to save them but she only managed to save her father. She brought back her brother’s body for a proper burial. Her act of filial piety was greatly commended by the villagers and she became known as “The Filial Daughter”.
On the 9th Day of the 9th Lunar Month in 987 A.D., she bade farewell to her family and told them that she was going on a long journey. She went by herself to the top of the mountain on Mei Zhou Island and ascended to heaven. It was said that some people on the island saw colourful clouds rising to the sky on that day and others claimed that they heard beautiful sounds from the sky.
Lin Mo Niang, who had often risked her own life to save people from the dangers at sea, was respected by the people and she was honoured by emperors of various dynasties. Her official title is “Mother of Heavenly Sage”. She is also often worshipped as the “Goddess of the Sea”.
Also check out the majestic dragons by the door way. Little wonders why even the sea have to give way.
No comments:
Post a Comment