Jin Dong Fu Celebrates in Honour of Jin Mian Da
Ren
Jin Dong Fu, a local Taoist temple celebrates twice a year in
honour if it’s resident Deities, in the first lunar month (1M22)
and in the fifth lunar month (5M15). In the fifth lunar month, it
celebrates in honour of its chief resident Deity, Jin Mian Da Ren
(the Golden Face Lord). As with many small temples in Singapore,
when they hold celebrations, they would build temporary tentage to
accommodate the devotees as well as with the expanded praying
paraphernalia. This year, Jin Dong Fu holds its celebrations at the
open field next to Cassia Crescent, off Guillemard Road. 37 years
ago, this small temple started in this housing estate. After a
number of years of celebrating in the big Kallang Park
Sports complex grounds, it has returned to where it was.
As is traditional in Chinese folk Taoism culture, to start a
celebration, preliminary setting up of the tentage has to be made
with the appropriate ritual. In this case, the setting up ritual is
conducted by a spirit medium representing Jin Mian Da Ren. With
drums and gongs, and the chanting of invitation, the members
invited Jin Mian Da Ren to come to officiate the setting up of the
temporary temple.
As a visual indication of his presence in the spirit medium, Jin
Mian Da Ren, upon arriving would use burning joss-sticks to
brush against his body. After this mortification, he proceeded to
the various sections of the tentage to consecrate the statues
placed in position. He also positioned the celestial armies (In
folk Taoism, there are always the five main camps, East, South,
West, North, and Central Camp, to protect the temple) in the
perimeters of the tentage. It was a colourful affair with gongs,
drums, burning joss-sticks and joss-papers. There is the ubiquitous
presence of the spirit-whip which is an important part of folks
Taoism in Singapore.
Jin Dong Fu is well known in Singapore for its huge
statues representing quite a fair bit of the pantheon of Deities in
the folk Taoism world, covering the heavenly Deities, the Deities
of the Sea, and the Deities of the Netherworld. Grateful devotees
of the temple helped to contribute towards the growing collection
of Deities. During the celebrations, this temporary temple probably
has one of the most comprehensive collections of Deities. It will
be quite an enriching experience for those who are interested in
the local Singapore Chinese heritage and culture.
More reports of the events can
be found in http://jindongfu.blogspot.com