Temples, Hong Kong

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The Chinese use of burning incense in the temples, filling them with smoke that pushes Fernanda quickly out, is done in Man Mo temple in a special way, with dozens of spirals hanging over your head, and slowly releasing the smoke and smell from their extremities.

“Arraial” is a Portuguese word without an exact translation that defines the festive look of the whole.

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Windmill is a symbol for a change of luck and good fortune. Beginning of the first fifteen days of every Lunar New Year,tens of thousands of businessmen, tradesmen, entrepreneurs, professionals and even government offical pay homage to Che Kung Temple in Shatin for its harmonious blessings. A new set of windmills would bring home the betterment of fortune for the year to come. For the peace of mind the old set could be placed outdoors in the natural disposal of wind and sun if that gave you luck or burn it to rid the evils of the past year. Good Luck Chum !! Tlai

Wong Tai Sin is regarded as the bringer of good luck and a healer of illnesses via a practice called Kau Cim where prayers are answered in the form of fortune telling Chi Chi Sticks. 100 sticks are placed in a bamboo cylindrical cup and the querent thinks silently or whispers it to the deity about their question. The shaking of the cylinder results in at least one stick leaving the cylinder and being dropped onto the floor. Each stick, with its designated number, represents one answer via an answer paper. The writing on the piece of paper will provide an answer to the question.

The best place to witness this ritual is at the Wong Tai Sin Temple in New Kowloon.

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If I recall correctly, Wang-TaiSing is the correct pronounciation for this very famous temple in Hong Kong. Unlike temples in Taiwan or Singapore, prayer must buy incense before they enter the temple, usually they buy a bunch with HKD5. A bunch of incense is enough for two persons. Last time, my roommate and I bought two bunches and that was too much.

There are certain dos and don'ts when it comes to lighting incense joss sticks or paper prayer tokens. The correct way is to utilize a match or the candle flame provided. The reason is that incense is a medium for sending prayers to the heavens and nothing of permanence should be used. If a lighter is use and kept, the message will not be conveyed.

Occasionally, joss sticks might flame up and the flame should be brought down. The correct method is to use a hand to snuffle the flame. It is sacrilegious for a person to blow on the flame.

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While visiting Repulse Bay on Kong Kong Island, we were fascinated by the amount of people that were lining up to pay respects to the Chinese God of Wealth. A long line of people waited to rub their hands over the statue of the God, in hope that he would bring them riches. Ofcourse your odds were increased by donating money in the box next to the statue.

There are buddhist temples here and there - it is a special atmosphere to enter one and all of a sudden experience peace and quiet!

Buddhists and Taoists make up the vast majority of the people of Hongkong.

Christians: 500 000
Muslims: 50 000
Hindus: 12 000
Jews: 1 000

taken from: http://www.bworld.com.ph/handover/background/pstoryf.html

I don't remember where this Temple was but it was very dark and very interesting inside! It was almost scarey for me. hahaha Update...I think it is located near Ladder Street...I've finally found my journal from this trip. I have a note about visiting a Temple near Ladder Street but I guess I never did know the name of the place.

when you visit the temple, remember to cross the step of every door when you go into the temple.
Just to be yourself, as you are travelers in Hong Kong!

Buddhism is an integral part of HK culture. Offerings of food are left at temples for the dead ancestors. Do not mess with the offerings.