Thursday, May 13

Tian De Gong 

Went to watch 'Tian De Gong' shifting into their new premises yesterday.

Waited for Jave till almost three o'clock at Nines Cafe and felt bored cause my laptop is out of power and there are no cute guys to ogle at.

Spent a little more time at Nines Cafe after Jave arrived and we decided to come over to my home before heading to Geylang. I showed Jave some photos that I seldom show anyone as I believe that he would understand that part of my life more than anyone else. I didn't know why, but I gave him a crystal ornament which I bought a long time ago in Taiwan and a mini statue of 'Zhong Tan Yuan Shuai' which I have kept for very long time and I think is not available in the market anymore.

We took a cab to 'Tian De Gong' and realized that we were way too early to see any action, so we walked around a bit and to our surprise there were at least twenty odd temples in that area which we think might be a good addition to our impending project. We also had a chat with a 'Lao Ki' at 'Qiu Tian Xuan Nv Gong' and probably would be visiting him more often.

When we really feel pointless in waiting there, we hopped into a cab and whizzed to 'Yu Huang Dian' at Jurong West where the procession will be heading to later.

Talked a lot of crap about what might happen if I pray to The Jade Emperor calling him 'Lao A' in hokkien which means Father and telling him "Wa bo lui eng.' Jave and me concluded that He will not be offended as He is the Heavenly Father who provides for His people, that is - us. Sounds like Christian?

I always believed that The Christian God = The Jade Emperor as both their characteristics and merits are similar. Flame me if you want, cause I also believe that Allah is the same being as well. Stone me to death if you want!

There was this cute guy who is rather shy that I befriended while waiting for the procession and shared a bit about what I know about Chinese Culture with him and his friend, though not that cute but adorable in another way. Hee, at least got eye candy while waiting.

We waited till about 9 plus before the procession of 8 Lions, 1 Dragon, a Teochew Drums Troupe, a Golden Drums Troupe, 5 Sedan Chairs and 1 Medium sitting on a Nail Chair Sedan arrived.

The medium is here to inform The Jade Emperor that their temple is shifting into new premises and seek his blessings. If you know Chinese History and Literature well like me and Jave, then you will find it interesting to watch all this and know what is the significance behind.

We followed them to their new temple in their bus and talked more crap about how we will name our temple should we have one some day and loads more about all the Chinese Culture stuff.

The procession arrived in Old Tampines Road where the new temple is and went to surrounding temples to make courtesy calls to the many temples there informing all the Gods that they are shifting into the area.

We didn't watched till the end of the whole ceremony but left after the procession reached the new temple. We were real lucky to catch the last bus from that area and ended up in Yio Chu Kang before parting our ways to go home.

This is the first time I witnessed a temple's shifting from beginning to almost the end, though I watched bits and pieces of such ceremonies when young but this is a first time I watched from a spectator's perspective as I was always one of the people in the procession then.

It is an eye opening experience and more so meaningful as I could discuss with Jave on the happenings and procedures.

Looking forward to witness another such event in the Lunar eight month.

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andi at 10:00