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Tainan Temple Holds First Public Blessing Ritual in 360 Years, Featuring Rare Vintage Vessel

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Tainan's Kaiji Yuhuang Temple will hold its first-ever public ritual to pray for blessings and longevity from October 12-14.
  • The temple, founded 360 years ago, will donate all proceeds from the event to support medical and educational initiatives in rural areas.
  • A rare, vintage tin 'dou' from the 1980s will be featured in the ritual, adding special significance to the event.

Tainan's Kaiji Yuhuang Temple, a historic site established 360 years ago, is set to host its inaugural public ritual for blessings and longevity. The three-day event, scheduled from October 12 to 14, will combine spiritual practice with charitable giving, with all proceeds dedicated to supporting medical and educational programs in underserved rural communities.

The Dou Mu Yuan Jun is the main deity of the ritual, leading the star lords under her command to care for people's destiny, health, and fortune.

— Kaiji Yuhuang TempleDescribing the main deity of the ritual.

The temple has a history of community outreach, extending its charitable efforts beyond Tainan to areas like Chiayi's Alishan, Pingtung's mountain villages, Hualien in the east, and the Penghu islands. Last year alone, the temple donated NT$30 million (approximately $910,000 USD) to various causes.

The Dou Jiao Ceremony (Bai Dou) is an extremely important and sacred ritual in Daoism for praying for blessings, eliminating disasters, and resolving misfortunes.

— Wu ZhengxianExplaining the significance of the ritual.

This year's ritual, known as a "Dou Jiao Ceremony," will be led by Daoist master Wu Zhengxian, whose family has practiced for six generations. A unique highlight of the event will be the display of a rare 1980s tin 'dou,' a ritualistic vessel used in such ceremonies, which holds particular significance for the temple. The temple is accepting registrations for the event until September 20.

Through the ritual, we express reverence and gratitude to heaven and earth deities, but most importantly, it is personal sincere worship.

— Wu ZhengxianHighlighting the importance of personal sincerity in the ritual.

Wu Zhengxian emphasized the spiritual importance of the ritual, describing it as a sacred Daoist practice for seeking blessings and averting misfortune. He encouraged participants to approach the ceremony with sincerity, good intentions, and a commitment to performing good deeds.

We encourage those with good hearts to do more good deeds.

— Wu ZhengxianOffering advice to participants.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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