Friday, April 14, 2006
Pray pray pray
Today was a weird day. For some reason or another, I was compelled to walk into the Thian Hock Kheng temple (Singapore's oldest temple). I have passed by this temple countless times, every week without fail. Largely due to the fact that I have to walk to my printers and it is along the way.
Usually, I avoid it due to the crowd: camera-toting tourists in large groups snapping away; their loud mouthed tour guides talking very loudly so that they can be heard among the tourist chatter and traffic on the roads; pesky school children who are there because of their heritage tour... but today, it was deviod of all these. And when i walked passed, a sense of peacefulness washed over me. For the first time, the temple actually looked inviting. So taking a break from the hustle and bustle of work, I stepped in (ok fine.. I decided to chiak zua).
I really don't know why I actually gave it a second look. Maybe it's because I was recently a tourist myself (in Chiang Mai). Maybe because of the recent spate of events that made me want to get some assurance? The last time I went there, it was due to a secondary school heritage tour. The place has become more spartan. Lesser idols around. They have repainted the place, especially the roofs. They are now gilded in gold paint. The roof of the Thian Hock Kheng is after all well known to be built without a single nail (using only interconnecting beams). And if I am not mistaken, there used to be a pond where you can throw coins at bells. If you hit the bell, your wish could come true. Sadly it's no longer there. I was also looking for 2 old idols. The last time I was there, they were the last surviving evidence of the existance of opium in Singapore. People in the past smeared the mouths of these idols with opium in a bid to get a "good report" to the jade emperor.
Since I was there, I decided to pray. I prayed for the safety for my two close friends who have just left for Taiwan. That was pretty apt, because in the past, denizens went to the Thian Hock Kheng to pray for safe passage over the seas. When they (or their loved ones) were travelling to (or out of) Singapore, they made offerings to the deities. If they or their loved ones arrived safe, they will return to pay tribute to the temple. It was the most important temple for sailors then. I wonder if it still works for air travel? Ha ha
I also prayed for my other 3 close friends for a "smooth sailing" few weeks ahead. 2 had just gotten into car accidents. Kokodile's one was not so bad. But it's complicated because the opposition was drink driving and no insurance company was willing to take the case. The only alternative was to take it to the courts. King Kong's was pretty bad, with the whole rear being smashed in. I'm pretty sure that the damage would be in the thousands. I also prayed for more luck for King Kong. Maybe he might get lucky and get a new car :). And lastly for Kame, for her to find a job that she is happy in.
Should everything be smooth sailing for these people, I shall keep my promise and return to give thanks!
Usually, I avoid it due to the crowd: camera-toting tourists in large groups snapping away; their loud mouthed tour guides talking very loudly so that they can be heard among the tourist chatter and traffic on the roads; pesky school children who are there because of their heritage tour... but today, it was deviod of all these. And when i walked passed, a sense of peacefulness washed over me. For the first time, the temple actually looked inviting. So taking a break from the hustle and bustle of work, I stepped in (ok fine.. I decided to chiak zua).
I really don't know why I actually gave it a second look. Maybe it's because I was recently a tourist myself (in Chiang Mai). Maybe because of the recent spate of events that made me want to get some assurance? The last time I went there, it was due to a secondary school heritage tour. The place has become more spartan. Lesser idols around. They have repainted the place, especially the roofs. They are now gilded in gold paint. The roof of the Thian Hock Kheng is after all well known to be built without a single nail (using only interconnecting beams). And if I am not mistaken, there used to be a pond where you can throw coins at bells. If you hit the bell, your wish could come true. Sadly it's no longer there. I was also looking for 2 old idols. The last time I was there, they were the last surviving evidence of the existance of opium in Singapore. People in the past smeared the mouths of these idols with opium in a bid to get a "good report" to the jade emperor.
Since I was there, I decided to pray. I prayed for the safety for my two close friends who have just left for Taiwan. That was pretty apt, because in the past, denizens went to the Thian Hock Kheng to pray for safe passage over the seas. When they (or their loved ones) were travelling to (or out of) Singapore, they made offerings to the deities. If they or their loved ones arrived safe, they will return to pay tribute to the temple. It was the most important temple for sailors then. I wonder if it still works for air travel? Ha ha
I also prayed for my other 3 close friends for a "smooth sailing" few weeks ahead. 2 had just gotten into car accidents. Kokodile's one was not so bad. But it's complicated because the opposition was drink driving and no insurance company was willing to take the case. The only alternative was to take it to the courts. King Kong's was pretty bad, with the whole rear being smashed in. I'm pretty sure that the damage would be in the thousands. I also prayed for more luck for King Kong. Maybe he might get lucky and get a new car :). And lastly for Kame, for her to find a job that she is happy in.
Should everything be smooth sailing for these people, I shall keep my promise and return to give thanks!
# posted by Xallista @ 9:57 PM 
