Hi all


Mei Zhou Dao Ma Zhu Temple, Pu Tien, Xiamen

This temple is dedicated to Ma Zhu, Goddess of the Sea. Her origin of birth as recorded by historians is at Pu Tien, Mei Zhou Dao. I regretted not reading the book on Ma Zhu worship before visiting this place.

Lin Mo (Ma Zhu’s name) only lived on earth for less than 30yrs. She is a very intelligent child …well I think most will expect this kind of write up…but I just want to add that she has mystical power as comparable to our present day Ki Tong. The day she passed away is Ninth Month Ninth Day (sounds Jiu Huang Ye) also known as Zhong Yang Jie. She passed away in the year 987 so next year is 2007 (Ting Hai Nian) already 17 cycles of 60 years. It was recorded she went up to the peak at Mei Zhou Dao and ascended to heaven.

To reach the temple, one will have to take boats. There are two types of services, the fast one and the slow one. Departure for the fast one is every (15 mins waiting time, 5mins traveling time). The island is much smaller than Sentosa but the island has hills and peaks.

Do take note the path to the temple is U shape. Have the new and old temple there. We took the route that led to the new temple and descend via the old temple. You will see a big parade square (search internet). This square is for congregation of tuas and temples over the world during Ma Zhu Birthday. The temple has a big sign board and its name is Ji Shun Miao. Do expect many steps of climb when you reach 3 main halls. The first main hall, you can see Ma Zhu Left and Right assistant, Shun Feng Er and Qian Li Yan. The deities are extremely huge. (Imagine the Chinese New Year God of Wealth at Waterloo Street or Marina Square, probably still much bigger). At every main hall, you will light joss sticks to offer prayers. Do take note; there is always a Main Urn outside for Jade Emperor.

Next climb is the Hall of 4 Seas Dragon King. Again the deities’ statues are big. The aperture ratio for all deities is Perfect. Each Dragon King carries a different object from the sea. The one that impressed me most is the Dragon King carrying sea corals. It is so special to me as we all know, corals need at least a century to form and coral reefs are also destroyed nowadays due to new resort being built.

Following climb is the main Hall of Ma Zhu. In this Hall, there are also other deities. Ma Zhu statue is immaculate. She carries the Ru Yu. There are maidens or goddess surrounding her. There are also other deities in the main hall. And I presume they are the deities found in our Xiao Gui Ren paper.

Next climb is to reach the Ma Zhu rock monument. It is more of taking a picture for mementos. Once at the peak, actually not the peak of Mei Zhou Dao, the paths are descending and will lead to the old temple. I did not tour the old temple as the last boat is scheduled to leave.
Again have we paused why Ma Zhu worship is so major in China? I have qualms is Ma Zhu worship spread to North China. The answer is yes. Although we are well aware that Ma Zhu started in the south, how does her worship spread to North? We must constantly remind ourselves her names (many salutations) are bestowed by major emperors and not by small kings in prefecture. In the early days say 1300s to 1700s, the grains from the south are transported to the north using boats via river ways. As it is not economical due to flow rate and upstream currents, the government has decided to transport via the seas. Since grain is to feed the many millions, prayers are offered to Ma Zhu that the ship when traveling via sea route must not meet mishap as the grains are needed to feed millions. Payers are answered and Ma Zhu worship begins to be widespread in the north. The so many dynasties emperors so touched by Ma Zhu graciousness bestowed many titles to Ma Zhu. <<the underlying message is emperor bestowed names to Ma Zhu, not someone just anyhow bestow>>


So back to why I regret not reading the book, well I completed reading only on 17th Jul night maybe 18 Jul morning. The Mei Zhou Dao temple is a designated HQ for Ma Zhu. Before China open up, there is a temple at Taiwan that hold key ceremony on Third Month 23rd. Now most activities have been transferred to Mei Zhou Dao. The author is also quick to point out this activity is called Ma Zhu Goes Back To Maiden’s Home that demonstrates all temples across the world will bring along their Ma Zhu Kim Sin to Mei Zhou Dao to celebrate on her birthday. The essential point is we are always keen to search our roots and is a good time to communicate with relatives and also make new friends. Well we need to see our local Yew Keng in this good spirit then it is more meaningful.

After writing this, I think I need to regularly visit Ma Zhu temple that is so close to my place.

This visit will be a life long memory and I am truly touched by her magnanimous graciousness to all beings.

Hi Bro,
Are you able to send me the photos of the 5 Dragon Kings' statues you saw in the temple, in China?

Thanks
Chow