Dalongdong Baoan Temple Censer

Posted by on May 21, 2013 in blog, Photography, Taiwan, Temple Culture | No Comments

Taipei’s Dalongdong Baoan Temple Tian Gong Censer (天公爐).

Bao An Temple

Bao An Temple Tian Gong Censer, Taipei, Taiwan

From my old blog, “The Jade Emperor is the highest ranking god in Taiwan’s pantheon but, owing to his exalted position, Jade Emperor temples in Taiwan are few in number primarily because only the emperor of China was allowed to worship the Jade Emperor. Fear not however, the Jade Emperor is far from neglected. Nowadays anyone is permitted to worship the Jade Emperor, but most prayer to the Jade Emperor is done in doorways or at home altars on the first and fifth of every lunar month. Furthermore all Daoist, Folk and many Buddhist Temples in Taiwan have a Tian Gong Censer (天公爐). Tian Gong is a common name for the Jade Emperor and these censers are used to worship him. Believers insert sticks of incense (usually three for the Jade Emperor) into the censer and the rising smoke communicates their reverence. Tian Gong Censers have no definite placement in a temple but are dependent on each temple’s particular layout. All are found in a place of honor, often in front of the main door or in the main courtyard. The only definite rule to be observed is the smoke must have unhindered access to the heavens. The size and shape of the censer also has no set standard, rather is dependent on each temple. Tian Gong incense censers have three feet; two feet face inside while the single foot faces out. Some say the feet represent people, heaven and earth and some say they represent the third, seventh and eleventh earthly branches.”

Saw Musician, Taipei

Saw Musician, Taipei

And this is a saw player in the gardens near the temple. He played it like a violin and he was really good.