The Kwun Yam Shrine is a Buddhist shrine off Repulse Bay (named so after the British fleet repulsed pirates based there who would terrorize Chinese merchants). Unlike other Buddhist shrines, this one wasn’t off-limits to photography. It was quite interesting, as there are so many different and colourful statues, large and small.
Each statue represents a different figure in Chinese mythology, and it’s said that if you perform a certain action to a statue, something positive will happen. For example, there was the statue of a fish god there, and if you throw a coin into it’s mouth, it’s said you’ll have good fortune. There’s also the Longevity Bridge; a plaque proclaims that every time you cross the bridge, you’ll have three days added to your life. The two biggest statues at the entrance — Guan Yin and Tin Hau — were worshiped as goddesses of the mercy and the sea, particularly important if you’re a fisherman.
At one point, I came to a statue of a rock with writing engraved on it, and red ribbons around the base. My dad said, “Jeff, you need to take a lot of ribbons and tie it around the rock”. “Why?” “Because this is the god of marriage. This way you’ll meet a lot of girls.” Funny, dad.
Wow I’ve never been to this one; really cartoon colored!. And thanks for naming Tin Hau, I couldn’t remember that name at all, but remembered the fishermen part. (I also recall wondering why it was called Repulse Bay — my Chinese friend didn’t explain it. Thanks!) very fun to see.
Yeah, this shrine really stood out because of the colours. I also didn’t notice any fruit for sacrifice.
heh, that’s cute. next step of joke, arrange a date with a whole cheerleading squad and leave books lying around on the idiot’s guide to polygamy. that’s out already, isn’t it?
The thing is, my dad wasn’t joking! He just wants me to increase my chances. Not sure if it’s so that he can say that his son is married, or if he wants grandkids.
Jeff, let us know how the ribbons work for you! lol
Seeing this and having studied Buddhism for several years at university I am always astounded at how much the religion changed when it came from Indian to China via the Silk Road. Were the Buddha alive today I think a temple, beautiful as it is in its own way, like this one would perplex him…he would have no clue what that it was in some way connected to him!
p.s. hurry and come back to taiji! :-)
To be honest, I only know the most superficial parts of Buddhism. I didn’t realize that there was a transformation along the way from India, although the fact that there are so many different types of Buddhism should have given me a clue. There also seem to be so many dieties and names and whatnot involved, that it’s confuses me to no end!
I’ll be back to Tai Chi next week. Hopefully the soreness in my joints and muscles (from running around the airports with all my camera gear and laptop strapped to my back) will be gone by then.
I’ll help you relax!! >:-)
With my most superficial knowledge of Buddhism, I think there is more in common between Buddhism and philosophical Taoism, than between religious Taoism and philosophical Taoism.