Taoist Thanksgiving Ritual at Zhao Ling Temple (昭靈廟答謝神恩法會)

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

Yesterday, the 14th Day of Lunar 8 Month, upon the invitation by the Member of Zhao Ling Temple (昭靈廟), a few of us, arrived at Zhao Ling Temple (located at Yishun Industrial Park A) to join in the Unique and Wonderful Ritual conducted by the Heng Hwa Taoist Priests.

Upon arriving at the Temple (which I was late), I managed to see our Old Friends and some new Friends (2 Ladies). After finding out from our French Brother Gilles on what the Event was about, I was told that this was a Thanksgiving Ritual that being engaged by a few Local Heng Hwa Families.

Before the Official Ritual started, dinner was served and we were all being invited to join in the dinner. At the dinning table, we were all delighted to see the various Home-made Heng Hwa vegetarian dishes. After trying the various, we all came out with one common comment - Splendid.

At around 6.30Pm, the Ritual began, before the Heng Hwa Taoist Priests take their actions, one of the assistants was being possessed by one of the Deities of the Temple to give the necessary advises on what to prepare and who to invite, etc.

Immediately after advises being given to the Temple assistants, the Heng Hwa Taoist Priests started to perform the Ritual for Making Initial-Reporting (上奏) & Environmental-Cleansing (淨壇).

During the Ritual, I went into the Inner Hall of the Temple to make closer Observation on the Taoist Priests and was Utimately & Anxiously to find out the Heng Hwa Taoist Priests were the Typical & Traditional Taoist Priests of China Lv Shan Sect (中國福州閭山派道士), this was totally a Delightful Susprise for me.

After knowing that, I stayed a little bit longer in the Inner Hall to observe the Priests and I can said that, the Skills that this Group of Priests had were wonderful.

Immediately after the Priests done with the Cleansing, another 2 assistants of the Temple got in-trance with the Deities known as Liu Jin Sheng Hou (柳金聖侯) & Da Di Sheng Hou (達地聖侯 2 typical Heng Hwa Deities – which were being known as the assistants of Ma Zu).

After the 2 Mediums got in-trance, they carried out their tasks of ushering in the Invited Deities, such as Jade Emperor of Heaven (玉皇大天尊), Bei Dou Xing Jun (北斗星君), Nan Dou Xing Jun (南斗星君), various Deities from various Temples around the World, etc.

Just before the ushering in ended, the Taoist Priests started their 2nd round of Ritual again, this Ritual was conducted to offer the various Offerings to the Invited Deities (known as San Jing Jiu 三敬酒) and last, the Offerings made by the Sponsor of this Thanksgiving Ritual (known as Xian Jing 獻敬).

By the time the Xian Jing ended, it was already 8.00Pm-plus and so, we had to make our leave.

For those who are interested to observe and join in the Joyous Celebration of this Temple, please do be there at 5.00Pm on 15th Day of Lunar 8 Month, I’m sure you will be able to see a lot of different stuffs that you cant see outside.