When I received a call from my cousin brother's wife that he had an operation to remove fluids from his brain a couple of days ago and that he was at present not behaving like his normal self, I got very worried. His mom, my Aunt Linda started to panic and even felt dizzy. To give her some assurance, I gave a call to my Sifu to ask if he could help. Unfortunately, he was busy with the 100 year celebrations of the Bercham temple and would only be free in a couple of days. However, the Sifu instructed my aunt and I to go to the Town God Temple in Ipoh Old Town to Wah Toh (God of Medicine) Oil Lamps for Simon. We were to seek help from this Taoist Deity to bless Simon with a speedy recovery.
The Town God Temple or Sing Wong Temple is dedicated to the Taoist Deity or Town God. Sing Wong is said to be responsible for protecting towns and cities.
Here is a bit of info about the Town God
The Town God Temple or Sing Wong Temple is dedicated to the Taoist Deity or Town God. Sing Wong is said to be responsible for protecting towns and cities.
Here is a bit of info about the Town God
Who is the town god?
In the old days, people imagined that the city was protected by a god known as Chenghuang (town god). Under his protection, people could live peacefully. Chenghuang's duty was just like that of the county head in feudal China. Taoists accepted him not only as an executive but as a law officer as well. It was believed that Chenghuang was empowered by the celestial ruler to exterminate evils in towns and cities and make citizens live a prosperous and happy life. He was even capable of granting what people prayed for. He gave rain when it was too dry and gave sunshine when there was too much rain. He brought big crop harvests for farmers and flourishing business for traders. As historical records indicate, the first known Chenghuan Temple was built as early as 239 A.D in the Three Kingdoms Period.
Interestingly, the town god had his mold in the practical society. The mold was always a hero who had done a lot and sacrificed his life for the public. People honored him as a god and believed that he would bring them peace and happiness. That's why the town gods in different cities often have different looks. Even today, every year at a fixed time, people come to the temples and show their respect for their protectors by kowtowing and offering some sacrifices. Chenghuang is a god in Taoism, but monarchs of different faiths in history all put him in a very important position.
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