GES1005/SSA1208 Everyday Life of Chinese Singaporeans: Past & Present Temple Visit Report Temple ID: D16 Group 4 Ling Jin Tang 灵晋堂 Tutorial D16 / Group 4 Lee Yi Ru Yoyo Jazreel Chua Jie Hui Lim Wei Shan Sandy Table of Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 1 History of Ling Jin Tang ........................................................................................................................... 1 Founding .............................................................................................................................................. 1 Relocation & Reconstruction ............................................................................................................... 1 Affiliations with other temples ............................................................................................................. 2 Current status of Ling Jin Tang ............................................................................................................ 2 Deities & Gods ............................................................................................................................................ 2 Main Deity ........................................................................................................................................... 2 Secondary Deities ................................................................................................................................ 2 Temple Artifacts ......................................................................................................................................... 3 Praying Sequence ....................................................................................................................................... 4 Rituals & Celebrations .............................................................................................................................. 4 Celebration for Main God .................................................................................................................... 4 Reflection & Conclusion ............................................................................................................................ 5 Appendices .................................................................................................................................................. 6 Introduction Ling Jin Tang is one of the temples in Jurong United Temple with four other temples which are Guan Shan Dian, Shui Gou Guan, Xi Shan Gong and Long Xu Yan. Despite being situated together as a united temple, each individual temple operates independently in terms of their rituals, celebrations, funding, volunteers and committee members. Nonetheless, joint celebrations for commonly worshipped Gods may be held. This is done by using moon blocks to get an answer from the God. Statues of Gods from the temples are all placed in the main hall and are separated according to the lines of the tiles. We realized that Ling Jin Tang is the main temple as it is located in the middle. History of Ling Jin Tang Founding The roots of Ling Jin Tang can be traced back to its original temple at China, Fujian Province, Quanzhou City, Nan'an Pengchuang Village. In 1915, Mr Huang Zhang Dun brought the ashes of the joss stick from Ling Jin Tang in China to Singapore, which was first settled behind Four Ya Lang Che Jian (四芽廊车间 后) at Jurong 10th milestone. Followers of Ling Jing Tang combined their efforts to erect simple structures for the temple and theatre stage using wooden planks and nipa palm leaves. From then, the temple gradually gained popularity and expanded. The temple underwent a series of renovations to improve its amenities. In 1949, the roof of the temple was reconstructed with zinc plate and in 1973, the empty field in front of the temple was constructed with a layer of concrete. During War World II, the Japanese army attempted to bomb the area around Jurong Road 10th Milestone but were unable to identify a target while airborne. After the Japanese surrendered, soldiers who were on the plane visited the area to verify whether it was land or sea, and were surprised to have found that it was land. It was thus believed that the temples located in that area are sources of blessings. Relocation & Reconstruction When the land was expropriated by the government in 1979, the relocation and reconstruction of the temple was initiated and led by 23 worshippers from Ling Jin Tang. In collaboration with Qiong Yao Jiao Di, that also faced the same issue, worshippers applied for a plot of land under the government. During this period, two other temples located along the same street, Long Xu Yan and Guan Shan Dian, had also been invited by Ling Jin Tang to join. The temple was fully constructed in 1985. Under the agreement of Qiong Yao Jiao Di, the name of the new temple was registered as Jurong United Temple. Deities of the respective temples ascended in Jurong United Temple on 27 September 1985, which is the thirteenth day of the eighth month of the Chinese calendar. 1 In 2003, representatives of Xi Shan Gong requested to join Jurong United Temple and the committee of Ling Jin Tang gave approval on 8th April. A consecration ceremony was held on 20th April for the Gods of Xi Shan Gong. The temple applied for the lease to be extended for another 30 years due to their expiration of their 30- year lease in 2011. This amounted to a yearly rental of $1,200,000, half of which are beared by Qiong Yao Jiao Di. The remaining expenses were split amongst the five temples under Jurong United Temple. Ling Jin Tang and Shui Gou Guan, combined, sharing 30% of the costs. Contributions by the two temples are shared as Lord Jin of Shui Gou Guan has long been worshipped under Ling Jin Tang. Guan Shan Dian contributes to 30% of the fees. Lastly, Long Xu Yan and Xi Shan Gong each contribute to 20% of the total fee. In 2013, the reconstruction of Jurong United Temple was completed. The Reconsecration Ceremony for the five temples was held on 25th December that year. Affiliations with other temples There are other similar temples in other parts of the countries but there is no affiliation with them. However, they do organize trips to China to visit the mother temple. Current status of Ling Jin Tang There are a total of 80 members in the committee approximately. The committee comprises of the Chairman, secretary, treasurer, public relations, general affairs, audit and a panel of honorary and legal advisors. Deities & Gods Main Deity The deities found in Ling Jin Tang are not commonly prayed to in other Taoist temples. As explained by the person in charge of Ling Jin Tang, he describes the deities as Zor Put in Hokkien., clarifiying that Zor Put is not analogous to one’s ancestor; it is in fact of a higher regard than the ancestor. The main deity of Ling Jin Tang is Lord Sun (孫府大人) and the secondary deities are Lord Chi (池府大 人) and Lord She(佘府大人). Lord Sun was a doctor who had accumulated merit by saving numerous lives. Lord Jin (金府大人) of Shui Gou Guan is also managed by the committee of Ling Jin Tang. Ever since the representatives of Shui Gou Guan passed away before the government took over the land in 1979, Lord Jin had since been worshipped under Ling Jin Tang. Secondary Deities The table below shows the other deities that are commonly worshipped in Jurong United Temple. 2 Name of Deity Chinese name of Deity Reason for worshipping as explained Da Bo Gong 大伯公 - To pray for peace and good fortune Dang Nian Tai Sui 当年太岁 when zodiac sign clashes with Tai-Sui ( 太岁) of that year Wenchang Wang 文昌王 To pray for good grades General of the Black Command 黑令将军 Guardian of the Temple ground To ward off vile characters (小人) and White Tiger God 白虎爷（下坛元帥） also to win lottery Five Battalion Commanders 五营神将 Guardian of the Temple ground Temple Artifacts Censer There are a total of six censers found in the temple according to the praying sequence. Plaque There are two plaques located near the entrance of the main hall. The first plaque is about the history of Ling Jin Tang as shown in Appendix C. The second plaque lists the names of committee members who contributed to the reconstruction of temple in 1980 as show in Appendix E. There is another plaque located inside the main hall that records the names of those who had donated above $500 for the renovation of temple over the years of 2008 to 2013 as shown in Appendix E. Couplets Couplets are located at the entrance of the main hall as shown in Appendix F. Words on the couplets are translated as ‘God’s power is vast and mighty which bring good health to the people, temple’s appearance is majestic in the celebration of peace’ Inscribed There are a total of four columns with carvings of dragon and phoenix. The dragon Beam represents “yang” while phoenix represents “yin”, and when brought together, they symbolise everlasting happiness. Donation A donation box is located in the main hall of the temple with the four words, Guang Zhong box Fu Tian (广种福田), which means to do a lot of good deeds. Doors Red lacquered doors in accordance with traditional Tang Dynasty doors and golden spheres on the door are for good luck. Lanterns Lanterns hung outside the entrance of the main hall are to bless and protect one’s family. 3 The lanterns also signify blessing the family with fortune and with a son to carry on the family name. During Lunar New Year, the lanterns will be removed to make