MaZu 媽祖was
born in the year 960 in MeiZhou 湄州
in Putian 莆田County,
Fujian Province福建,
both of my parents’ birthplaces. To honor MaZu’s 1056th birthday, U.S.
MaZu Foundation held a parade in Flushing.
MaZu is the Chinese patron goddess who is said
to protect seafarers, such as fishermen and sailors. The worship of MaZu began
in the Song dynasty. Starting from FuJian, worship of MaZu spread to the
coastal regions of China, and further spread to Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan and East/Southeast
Asia. Today, there are around 1,500 MaZu temples in 26 countries of the world.
Over time, the religions of Buddhism and
Taoism borrowed popular deities from each other in attempts to attract devotees
to their temples. In order to justify MaZu’s presence in Buddhist temples,
legends were circulated claiming that MaZu’s parents prayed to GuanYin for a
son, but GuanYin answered their prayers with the birth of yet another daughter.
It was then believed that MaZu was a reincarnation of GuanYin on earth. As a
result, MaZu is recognized and respected in both the Taoist and Buddhist pantheons
of deities, while some Buddhists believe MaZu to be one of GuanYin’s many
manifestations.
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| It is from MeiZhou, FuJian |
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| MaZu, in the sedan, is smiling |
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| Welcome Remarks |
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| Thanks to all the policemen working today to help the parade |
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| The drum marching team |
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| MaZu going around the fire three times |
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| The coordinator, Mr. He, was thanking everyone in tears |
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| Ruiyao Guo, President of Fukien American Association NJ |
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| I am glad that Lynn can be there today |
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| Thanks to the policamen for making the parade safe |
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| Today, more than 1,200 representatives from 38 MaZu temples in China went back to Mei Zhou original MaZu temple. Participating in the parade, I felt close to my root. |
