The opening of the gates of heaven on the 6th day of the 6th lunar month when the heavens replenish blessings is called “Festival of Heaven’s Gifts.” Heaven refers to the deities, while the gifts refer to what will be bestowed. According to folklore, when the gates of heaven open, the books of heaven descend upon the mortal realm to bring blessings to the people. After night falls, the faithful everywhere prepare sacrifices of meat, light incense and candles, and keep vigil to pray for minimizing disasters and replenishing of blessings, and for the heavens to gift blessing and wealth to believers.
Rice cakes are used as a supplemental offering, on top of which longans in the shell are placed. This represents the guardian of one’s birth year; and a boiled egg is added to represent the fated journey of the self. After worshipping, the egg is cracked and peeled to represent shedding the shell and breaking through one’s misfortunes and misadventures, to escape darkness for a bright and auspicious future.
The Festival of Heaven’s Gifts is an important annual rite. In keeping with tradition, the temple will hold a ceremony to pray for blessings and wealth on behalf of the devout and earnest faithful everywhere by burning incense and praying with a gaze toward heavens. In addition to praying for calm weather, and a peaceful and wealthy society, there will be a prayer for national prosperity, good tidings and safety for families, good health for young and old, good fortune, glory for all, eliminating misfortunes, replenish blessings and bestowing wealth. Wealth gathering charms will be distributed to the faithful during the ceremony in hopes that they will prosper.
｜Ceremony time｜Begins at 10pm. on the 6th day of the 6th lunar month.
Rice cakes are used as a supplemental offering, on top of which longans in the shell are placed. This represents the guardian of one’s birth year; and a boiled egg is added to represent the fated journey of the self. After worshipping, the egg is cracked and peeled to represent shedding the shell and breaking through one’s misfortunes and misadventures, to escape darkness for a bright and auspicious future.
The Festival of Heaven’s Gifts is an important annual rite. In keeping with tradition, the temple will hold a ceremony to pray for blessings and wealth on behalf of the devout and earnest faithful everywhere by burning incense and praying with a gaze toward heavens. In addition to praying for calm weather, and a peaceful and wealthy society, there will be a prayer for national prosperity, good tidings and safety for families, good health for young and old, good fortune, glory for all, eliminating misfortunes, replenish blessings and bestowing wealth. Wealth gathering charms will be distributed to the faithful during the ceremony in hopes that they will prosper.
｜Ceremony time｜Begins at 10pm. on the 6th day of the 6th lunar month.