初七投燈 at Ching Chung Koon (青松觀)
On 22nd February 2018, Matthew, Jonas and I (Fanny) went to Ching Chung Koon again and watch about the consuetude of Daoist during Chinese Lunar New Year.
This was my first time to join this custom and it was a great experience for me to learn more about Daoist.This activity held at the main basilica. First sight, we saw a lot of lights were hanging on the top and there are 10 lights were hanging on the shelves.
Those lights were the main character of today. There were different symbols of those ten lights, such as wish to have good health, wish to dream come true etc. All of the scripture were the blessing of the new year.This ceremony was to bless believers and the tempo to have a great year.There were around 15 priests will sing the scripture which to make that scripture to come true.During the event, those 15 priests will follow the music and sang about those ten scriptures.They had a specific costume for the ceremony.
During the priests were singing scriptures, one of the representatives used a fired paper to draw a talisman on each light. This is an action called "開光", which to make the blessing come true. Believers can pay from $300-$3300 to buy the lights, then their name will be recorded on the lights, However, they can't take the lights back, it only put in the tempo.
At that day, the president of tempo and lot of believers had participated the ceremony.The president of tempo had given a speech, at last, to wish everyone good and end of the ceremony.
This was my first time to join the ceremony, I felt very fresh and this was a new experience for me.Also, I have learned more about the consuetude of Daoism.Besides, it brings blessing to people.Whatever it is superstition or not, it was a meaningful ceremony.
Hi! Here is Hung Chuen Wai from Buddhism group 2.
回覆刪除The lights are bright and attractive in your photos! Learnt from my last site visit experience in Ching Chung Koon before, I know this Daoist temple often holds various significant and fantastic activities. Besides the Lighting Ceremony (投燈) as your blog mentioned, Ching Chun Koon also organizes “Fuji” (扶乩) event (spirit- writing for divination), “Penjing” (盆景) gardening competition every year. I think these local unique religious activities are worth recommendation for tourists.
Hello! I am Weng MingYu from group 1. I have been to the same event, the "consuetude of Daoist during lunar new year", as well. Your group have comprehensively and detailedly described the ceremony, such as the procedure, the costume, what is written in the lights and what the priests would do. It is really a good job. However, I found that it would be better if some ideas behind the ceremony could be noted down. For example, more about the meaning of the lights. As a reader, I would be interested in the article if the history of the temple is included.
回覆刪除I think that every person wants to release the gods in their minds by such a collective ceremony. They all will pray to this god whether they are Buddhists or Taoists, as long as this god can make them rich. Just as one great man once said, "it's a good cat to get mice, whatever black or white". People pray to them for a big treasure this year, enjoying wine, meat, money, houses, cars and honours.
回覆刪除All the Buddhism, Taoism and confucianism pay attention to save and love the whole world. How can they treat people differently? Li Shutong said before his death that a person will not find a real friend if he only looks through the surface. Of course, we are eager to get some preference and to be loved by the destiny. However, people should also understand the spirit of letting nature take courses if they believe in Buddhism and gods. It is the sincerity but not the perfect worship forms that really makes sense.
回覆刪除Hi, I am Qiu Yi Jin from group 6. I think your group finish an excellent job on both content and photos which is fascinated to me. I heard that all ten lights have their special meanings and benediction,and people have chance to make wishes to the lights which represent the blessing they want. I think spending lunar festival in Ching Chung Koon and watching beautiful lights must be a great choice.
回覆刪除Hello, I am Tang Wing Sze from group 3. It is an interesting and unique experience because a lot of teens do not know what is 投燈.
回覆刪除I still think that it is superstition but if they can feel better after the ceremony, the money still spend meaningfully.