Offerings

As soon as you start getting close to the entrance of any temple or shrine in Taiwan, you can usually find a few stalls on either side of the road selling incense/joss sticks, flowers and small food items or tea. People will often buy these if they have not had time to go home and collect offerings before heading to pray at the temple. On the left or right side as you walk through the entrance of any Taoist temple, you can always find someone selling incense and spirit money too.

I understood that it was normal practise to leave an offering of food, tea or flowers and to burn incense and/or spirit money before praying in Taoist temples. However, I did not know if individual items had particular meanings or worked in different ways and so I decided to investigate – this was especially sparked by the surprise I got when I found out it was acceptable to leave boxes of Oreo cookies as an offering on the temple altar!
Through hours of various internet searches, reading a couple of books on Taoism and asking my Taiwanese room mates badly worded Google translated questions, I found out that:

Joss Sticks
Incense is burned as a greeting to the spirits and the smoke represents a connection formed with the spirits during prayer. It is believed that the smoke reaches the heavens and forms a connection with the deity/spirit though which messages can be delivered and communication is formed.

Hell Money
Hell money or also known as spirit money is burned during the worship of ancestors/deceased relatives. The money often has the characters for Diyu or Difu meaning underworld prison or underworld court printed on it. Although this seems quite dark, it more represents the ‘other side’ or ‘spirit realm’ as opposed to all spirits living in a hell. The rice or bamboo paper fake money is burned to 1) ensure that the spirit you are sending it to has enough money in the spirit realm to live a comfortable existence 2) it is burned as an offering to the deities as payment on behalf of the deceased relative. Almost like clearing out a debt and showing respect so that they will continue to watch over.

 

Flowers
All around the world in many different cultures and religions flowers are given as offerings and presented in ceremonies such as funerals. Different types of flowers and colours have different meanings depending on the religion and where in the world you are.
The most common flower you will see as offerings in temples around Taiwan is the orchid flower. Deeply embedded in Chinese culture, it is native to Asia and is beloved by many for its unique symmetry which gives it the reputation of perfect beauty. Often they will just be used in an arrangement because they are generally seen as a beautiful gift. However, there are some specific reasons as to why you would offer an orchid such as:
– due to their shape which resembles testicles, the orchid represents fertility and is used by people who are trying to get pregnant and by people praying for the safety of someone with child.
– orchids represent thoughtfullness and are given as gifts between close friends. People may offer orchids when praying for those close that are now deceased.

Orchids also represent prosperity, innocence and good luck.

Food and Tea
There are two main uses for what I call ‘edible offerings’. You can find food and drinks left as offerings in both temples and smaller shrines which may be found in the family home or on the side of the road. They are often left as thanks for the time spent giving guidance during prayer and protecting ones self and family in daily life. The spirits/deities/gods recieve the offerings as payment and a sign of respect. The other use for edible offerings, I personally find incredible sweet. Taoists believe that death is not the end and that a person may leave their physical body but continues living their life as a spirit to finish what was left unfinished. And so, when a family member dies, they have not truly gone, they are still counted as family and treated like a living being. Similarly to the concept of burning spirit money, the offerings are to ensure that the spirits are not hungry or thirsty in their spirit life and that they are nourished and looked after so that they can enjoy their new journey. This is why food is such a common sight in temples and shrines and I now think that the Oreos and other things which may be deemed ‘strange’ are actually okay if they were a passed away relatives favourite snack.

Xingtian Temple – Taipei

Xingtian temple also known as Hsing-Tien temple is one of Taiwan’s youngest temples but does not dissapoint when it comes to intricate carvings and beautiful, colourful paintwork.

It was built in 1967 but despite being relatively new, thousands of people visit everyday and like many other famous temples in Taiwan, you can find an array of visitors from tourists to worshippers and monks/nuns.

It is dedicated to the deity Guan Yu – if you look below, you can find a post about him that I have recently written which explains his importance to the Taiwanese people and that he is one of the most popular deities to worship. Worshipped in both Buddhism,
Taoism and sometimes Confucianism, this temple promotes harmony and respect among people of all religions. This is why, if you ever visit, you will notice an interesting mixture of praying styles, offerings and worshippers.

Not only is this temple intriguing to many westerners, tourists and followers of other religions due to its multicultural/religious acceptance but also because it is one of the only temples in the country that:
– does not feature a donation box
– does not allow the burning of spirit money (also known as haven or hell money)
– has banned operas
– has banned sacrifices

If you wish to visit Xingtian temple you can find it via a short, sign posted walk from the MRT stop appropriately named Xingtian Temple on the yellow MRT line in Taipei.
Directions from Taipei Main Station:
– Take the blue MRT line heading towards the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Centre two stops along to Zhongxiao Xinsheng
– From Zhongxiao Xinsheng change over to the yellow line heading towards Luzhou
– Get off at the second stop – Xingtian Temple
– Leave from the station Exit 1
– Follow the sign post labelled Xingtian Temple pointing right
– The walk should only take 5/10 minutes and is in a straight line so is super easy and hard to get lost!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matsu/Mazu Goddess of the Sea

Matsu, also known as Mazu meaning mother, is the; Goddess of the Sea,  Motherly Matriarch, Daughter of the Dragon, and Empress of Heaven. 

Her story:
Matsu’s human/given name is Lin Mo. As a teenager, she was at home when she fell in to a trance whilst weaving. Whilst in the trance, she could see here brother and father in a storm at sea. The typhoon then got so strong, they were thrown overboard and began to drown. Distressed by this vision, she used her spiritual powers to transport her physical self to the scene. Once there, she managed to save her brother but when going back to then save her father, her mother had come home and seen her in the trance. Worried that she was ill, her mother shook her to see if she was awake which broke the trance and then resulted Lin Mo being unable to save her father and he drowned. Realising this, she ran to the shore and is said to have walked in to the sea, three days later returning with his body for burial.

Folklore and belief:
After the event of her fathers death, there are numerous tales of her using her powers to help save and heal fishermen and sailors. Sadly, Lin Mo died at the early age of 28. The most interesting thing about her is actually the story of how she died. It is said that one day she announced to her family and friends that it was timef or ehr to leave this earth and that she must climb to the top of a near mountain on her own to meet her destiny. There it is said that at the summit she was engulfed by mist and clouds, music began playing and a bright orange and gold light carried her in to the heavens and at that exact point, a beautiful rainbow appeared over the spot where she had last stood.

The significance of this is that in Chinese legends a rainbow represents a dragon which brings good fortune and blessings to those in its presence. Dragons are said to drink only from the sea and their purpose is as a link from earth to heaven. Hence her collection of appropiate names: Goddess of the Sea,  Motherly Matriarch, Daughter of the Dragon, and Empress of Heaven.  In Taoism the colours in a rainbow are a symbol fo the five original Buddha families. Orange is strongly connected to the Bodhisattva and people who have been enlightened but chose to stay on earth and help others rather than join other enlightened ones in heaven. As the story of Lin Mo’s death states that she was carried by a gold and orange light which represents both enlightenment and choosing to stay present on earth, this may be reason as to why so many sailors have said that when she has saved them she did not appear as a ghostly or spiritual figure but physically and her flesh could be felt like any other humans. It is also said that when she does go to help sailors in danger she is first seen from afar as a colourful/red light and then travels on floating clouds to the sailors where she then carries them to safety.

After death, Lin Mo’s kindness to others and said enlightenment was the reason for her recognition by Buddhist to be deified and resulted in the Chinese Government declaring her a Goddess.

There are hundreds of temples dedicated to Matsu all over Asia but there are two in particular that have stood out to me. The most ornate statue of her I have found is at the Lotus Pond in Kaohsiung in Taiwan. The gigantic statue is brightly coloured and stands out against the blue water behind. Decorated with lavish carvings of clouds and other features from Matsu related folklore it really shouldn’t be missed if you are ever nearby! However, it is the giant, pure white Lady Buddha statue of her on top of a cliff in Da Nang, Vietnam that truly cannot be rivalled.
 

 

 

 

 

Most Commonly Worshipped Deities

 

Matsu and Guan Di are the two most commonly worshipped deities in Taoist and often Buddhist temples around Taiwan. You can find their figurines, paintings and statues featured in small roadside shrines, in and outside temples and even free standing around cities. Having noticed their regualar appearance within a few days of being in Taiwan, I decided it was important to find out more about these clearly very important deities.

Guan Di

I briefly mentioned Guan Di in my post about The God Of War temple in Tainan. It is easy to get confused when researching or talking to locals about this deity because he can be referred to by three different names. Guan Di is his birth name, Guan Gong means Emperor Guan and Guan Yu means Lord Guan – all of which are acceptable to use.

Guan Di was a general during the late Eastern Han Dynasty. There have been many books written about Guan Di and about the abolishment of the Han Dynasty which features his crucial role in it. He served under the warlord Liu Bei who also wanted to restore the power of the Han Emperor. Liu Bei (who later became the first emperor during what is known as the ‘Three Kingdoms’ period), Guan Di and a fellow comrade Zhang Fei joined forces and bonded by their ideals, became sworn brothers in the ‘Peach Garden’ forming what is known as the ‘Three Brothers’ – a representation of strength and loyalty. Unfortunately many years later, during a battle with the Wu forces Guan Di and his son Guan Ping were captured and executed.

He was later deified as the God of War and is worshipped as this in Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism and folklore. He is also the God of Literature (only recognised as this in Taoism), the Patron God of Police Officers and the Martial God of Wealth. Unlike what you may expect from a God of War, he was not given this title due to his acts of violence in battle but actually due to his ability and strength to avoid confrontation and violence as much as possible. He is known for making a great affort to minimize violence, conflict and death wherever possible. Guan Di represents integrity, bravery, righteousness and loyalty which is proven in folklore stories of the brotherhood of the ‘Three Brothers’ – this also serves as symbolism for the importance of friendship and loyalty. He became the Patron God of Police Officers because of the reason for his death. When he was captured, before execution he was given the option to join the opposing side. However, he knew this was unloyal, against the law and disrespectful and so he refused, therefore resulting in him being beheadded. Police Officers and the law look at this as a prime example of defending the law and standing for what you believe in, hence his becoming a Patron.
 

 

 

 

Buddhist Temple Etiquette

Having visited Buddhist temples in Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam, I have picked up on simple ‘do’s and don’ts’ when it comes to being a tourist.

1. Be Respectful

– Although some temples are more lenient than others, it is best to make sure that you are covered up. I know that when in hotter countries shorts and vests seem like the perfect clothing but to enter a temple dressed this way is highly unacceptable. My advice is to wear long maxi skirts or linen trousers and carry a cardigan or pashmina in a bag so that you can cover your arms when you get to a temple.

– Take your shoes and hat off before entering.

– Cover your mouth when yawning or showing your teeth.

– Don’t disturb the peace. Keep conversation to a minimum and when you do speak, ensure you do so quietly. Turn off your mobile phone and try not to use the flash on your camera if possible.

– Do not touch, climb or point at things – especially the statues of Buddha.

– Sit with your legs crossed. It is very insulting to have your legs stretched out and the bottom of your feet facing someone or a statue.

– Stand up if a monk or nun enters the room.

2. Offerings and Prayer

– It is custom to make an offering of flowers, food, candles or incense to the Buddha before performing a prayer or asking for guidance. Usually there is a table where the offerings are left near the altar.

– If you use any incense, make sure that you do not blow it out. Instead you must wave the sticks to put the flame out. It is the same for candles. You must use a candle snuffer or your hand to put them out.

– It is respectful to say a short prayer in front of the temple entrance or the main statue. Then take a small bow or take three small bows quickly. The light the incense, let it go out and place in the large gold burner that is outside every temple. You should waft the smoke from the incense towards you for a moment as this is seen as a way of cleansing and is said to have healing powers.

– In every temple there is a small box, usually metal that is there for collecting donations. You do not have to give a donation but if you want to the usually a small amount of $1 or less is acceptable.

3. Interacting with Monks, Nuns and Buddhists

– If you are visiting a temple and there are Buddhists praying, you should try your hardest not to walk in front of them. This is seen as disrespectful and can interrupt their prayer.

– Try to walk clock wise around a temple, starting on the right hand side. This is to show deep respect for the Buddha.

– Monks are incredibly friendly people and are often open to talking to visitors. However there are some important rules when doing so. For women, you should never touch a monk or hand him anything. If you do so, they have to go and perform a cleansing ritual.

– When greeting a monk you should place your hands together as if when praying and bow slightly.

– If a monk hands you something then you must accept it with your right hand and not your left.

– Never stand over a monk, if you wish to speak to one who is sat down, then you must sit down too before engaging in conversation.

– Do not touch another Buddhists prayer beads or prayer book unless given permission. 

4. If You Really Care

– It is custom to enter the temple/shrine with you left foot first and to exit with your right foot first. This then represents a whole and helps to create balance in the world and your life along with paying respect to the teachings of Buddha.

 

 

 

God Of War Temple – Tainan

From the highest point of the Chikan Towers I stopped to marvel at the contrasting views before me. Below is the perfectly preemed Chikan Lou gardens where every leaf on every tree and bush is cut and placed with impeccable taste and imaculate precision to preserve a feeling of honour and dignity in the now over three hundred year old Fort. Ahead unfortunately, is the less attractive site of scaffolding wrapped around tall concrete buildings and a slightly neglected, peeling billboard that probably hasn’t served its purpose in months. Then I notice further back, hidden behind two buildings is a beautiful, deep red rooftop and realise that I had spotted Tainan’s God Of War temple and so I tell the others and we head through the back streets to get a closer look. However, it is only after stopping and trying one bite of everything on a little old Taiwanese ladies noodle shop menu and washing it down with bubble tea that we arrive at the temple.

From the outside you can see the full stretch of the deep red left wall which is often recognised by tourists and visitors when mentioning the temple as it is rare to be able to see the full side of any Taoist temples. Many temples are very similar and follow a generic layout design but this one inparticular has a number of distinct features such as the left wall which makes it that little bit more special and memorable.

Built in 1665 the temple is heading towards 400 years old and has a mighty 300 year old plum tree in the back courtyard that has aged with it. Originally it was the deity Guan Di who was solely worshipped here and that is why sometimes if you talk to locals about the temple or try to do some research you may find calling it by its other name ‘DaGuanDi temple’ will get you a bit further. Guan Di is the patron saint of soldiers and is widely worshipped in both Taoism and Buddhism which means you will most likely be able to recognise his image from the hundreds of paintings and statues of him all around Asia. – Hard to miss, he’s the one with the bright red face and long black beard often holding a pole with a blade on the end (this is a traditional Chinese weapon known as a Guan Do).

However, the temple also has yet another name. It is also known as the Sacrificial Rites Martial Temple due to regular rituals that were performed there by Official Government members in the 1700’s. These sacrificial rituals were performed to honour general Guan Di’s ancestors on the 13th of May every year and often repeated again in the Autumn season. During the occupation years, the Japanese government held the rites to hold two out of three rituals performed a year.

The temple’s layout is unique in that it is not symmetrical. The back of the temple stretches out far to the left and does not extend at all into Yongfu road on the right which is what a traditional layout would do. The unforgettable bare red wall which can be seen from this road is special in itself but also serves as a huge contrast to the decorative interior of the temple, making it that more spectacular when you venture inside.

How To Tell Confucius, Taoist and Buddhist Temples Apart

One of my favorite things about Taiwan is that smack in the middle of a built up, bustling, concrete city you can find a beautiful, unspoiled, temple. At first I thought it was quite sad, these beautiful, old, historic temples being over shadowed by high-rise buildings and scaffolding but now I find something quite wonderful and almost magical about it. Sometimes you might even walk straight past one without even realizing. In almost every city in Taiwan if you look above the roof tops or look to the end of an insignificant little alley you can spot a magnificent temple whose beauty is a breath of fresh air in a busy concrete jungle.

The one thing I began to feel bad about however, was that whilst appreciating the intricate architecture and elaborate artwork, I didn’t always know what the name of the temple was or even which religion it belonged to. Throughout history, the Chinese people have lived in a multi religious society. Some temples even accept both Buddhists and Taoists to pray there. So, I made it my mission to learn the few obvious differences between Buddhist, Confucius and Taoist temples. I researched different deities, paid attention to the paint colours used and brushed up on a few traditions practiced by each belief. Now I’m getting the hang of it I thought I would put together a simple ‘how to’ guide for telling temples of different faiths apart. 

The basic differences:

Confucius

 Confucius temples are the easiest to spot. They are much less ornate than Buddhist or Taoist temples. Usually they are plain, stick to a simple colour scheme and are very organized and peaceful. When it comes to layout, they tend to have three courtyards with the main structure in the middle of the most central courtyard. This central structure is called the Dachengdian – this translates as ‘The Hall of Great Achievements’. They also tend to not feature any images, this is because unlike a lot of religions, Confucianism is about following the teachings more than worshipping the man himself. That is why if you are ever to see a statue or painting of Confucius, often they are small and discreet. Since the Tang Dynasty, Confucius temples have been built in or on the grounds of a school and so if you are ever unsure what type of temple you are looking at; just look to one side or out of the front and if you see a school, you know it is a Confucius temple. 

 

This Primary School is by the left side entrance to the Tainan Confucius temple.

Taoist

 Taoist temples are definitely the most elaborate of temples. They are decorate with many bright colours, statues of numerous Gods and have ornate carvings and statues literally from the roof to the furthest corner at the back of the temple. When stood outside a Taoist temple, you will be able to find statues of a dragon and tiger, usually either side of the main gate and on the roof there will be beautiful, detailed carvings of dragons, Koi carp and mythical characters symbolising parts of important stories from traditional folk lore. Sometimes, the smaller and more hidden the temples is, the more elaborate its carvings and decorations are such as the one in the photograph below which a stumbled upon at the end of a tiny alley way in Tainan. 

There are numerous Gods and deities worshipped within Taoism and you can expect to find a number and combination of these as figurines dotted around. The most common one I have found is the female Deity Matsu (also known as Mazu). She is the Goddess of the sea and gives protection to fishermen and sailors. Taiwan being an island means that many people live by the sea and have jobs based around trade and fishing, therefore she is a popular and important deity to the lives of the Taiwanese people.

Buddhist

There are a few main characteristics of Buddhist temples that are hard to miss. Firstly, many of them are built in the Pagoda style and usually have three or five levels making them hard to miss. Secondly, unlike Taoist or Confucius temples, every Buddhist temple has a large bell. I find that usually they are on the left or right when you very first enter a temple. These bells are used only once a year and are rung 108 times on New Years Eve to represent the 108 worldly desires mentioned in Buddhist teachings. Thirdly, there will always be a large statue of Buddha. Often this is the ‘center piece’ as I like to call it. It will be in the middle of the temple and hard to miss as they are usually large, stone statues that are highlighted with coloured lighting just incase it hadn’t already grabbed your attention. Many of the older temples may have Buddha statues carved out of marble or emerald jade – a precious stone that the Chinese are very fond of.

In general, bright colours such as green, gold, orange and yellow are used to decorate the walls and ceilings. Opposite to Confucius temples, Buddhist temples tend to like their figurines and paintings of Buddha. Often you will find one main statues and many smaller ones (some have hundreds), along with paintings telling his life story. Along with this there will be warrior figures carved out of the walls to represent guardians of heaven. Although Foo Dogs can be found outside, usually I have found that they prefer statues of Monkeys, Elephants and sometimes quite nasty looking demons to protect the temple from evil spirits. 

One of my favorite features which you can often find on the bannister of a staircase or on door handles are paintings, carvings and statues of Lotus flowers. These both look beautiful and have great meaning. They refer to the Lotus Sutra mantra of Buddhism.

 

Tainan Confucius Temple

 

Built in 1665, this temple has been used as a place for thought for Confucius followers, for educating tourists, a military barracks during the Japanese occupation and as a public school. If the walls could talk they would have much to say but the mere vastness of historic events this temple has lived through alone, amount to more than just a few stories to tell.

In 1655 the temple was built in the center of the Wen Miao compound but by 1712 it was already in dire need of a major renovation; this was followed through by the Taiwan chief administrator Chen Ping. In 1887 the temple saw Taiwan establish itself as a province and later in 1895 then be taken under control of the Japanese. It was under Japan’s rule when the Wen Miao was used as military barracks for some time and then a school. By the time the Japanese had left, the temple had suffered severe damage. The most damaged parts were taken down and rebuilt alongside other large-scale renovations throughout the compound, which is what you see today.

 

Although intrigued by the vast history of the temple, at first I was unsure what to think. Something in the atmosphere felt quite cold and empty. Confucius temples tend to be much more modest than Taoist temples. They are usually painted simply, are very neat and organized and have a serene and spiritual feeling to them.

I’m not entirely sure why, maybe it’s because I’m used to the elaborate, bright coloured, bustling Taoist temples that I’ve been to so far, but there was something quite harsh and strict about this temple. The cabinets of old instruments and traditional dress were beautiful and the descriptions very interesting but I Just couldn’t get that impression out of my head.

 

However, my mind did change slightly when I ventured into the gardens and saw the pagoda. Everything is so precise here and although this made me feel slightly uneasy, it did make for a beautifully constructed garden.

One thing I did adore which softened my thoughts about the temple was that a trees roots had grown so big they had pushed the tree up and out of the ground and it was now beginning to fall over. Instead of chopping it down, they have made two giant tree sized crutches to support the two heaviest branches.

Fortune Telling

‘The fool may watch for lucky days,

Yet luck he shall always miss,

The luck itself is luck’s own star,

What can mere stars achieve?’ – The Bodhisatta

There is no emphasis on the importance or belief in deities, spirits and fortune telling in Buddhism. Instead, the teaching to all Buddhists is that you must make your own luck. It is solely your responsibility to work hard which in turn will show results. If something unpredictable happens or that could be deemed ‘bad luck’ it is your responsibility to then learn and rise from it.

Although, this is taught strongly to Buddhists all around the world, I found people using an ancient traditional fortune telling method in the Buddhist Lungshan Temple, Taipei. I then realized that this was due to their acceptance of Taoism followers having joint use of the temple.

Chien Tung (fortune sticks) is a method that has been used in China since the Jin Dynasty. It is more recognized as Kau Cim. Mainly Taoists perform Kau Cim. Traditionally this would be performed after the burning of incense and delivering an offering of food, flowers or money.

The cup of sticks are circled through incense smoke three times. Then, kneeling by an altar you pray to a deity of choice or the oracle. Then you ask the question wished to be answered by the oracle. Once asked, shake the cup and see which stick falls out on to the floor. Each stick has a number written on it which reflects a particular answer to the question asked. The answers are written down and when you have your number, you must go and match it to the correct piece of script.

Then two Jjaobei blocks are thrown to the floor. If one block is facing up and one down then the answer you received is correct. If two blocks land facing up, this means that the fortune has been unsuccessful and you must try again.

In many places where this method of fortune telling is performed, you may find a traditional fortune-teller who is nearby and ready to interpret and explain the meaning of the answer in much more detail. When visiting Lungshan Temple, I noticed the entire next street was comprised of traditional Taoist and Chinese fortune-tellers.

Lungshan Temple – Taipei

There is an almost magical feeling around Lungshan temple. As I walked through each gate, the air thick with incense and not one inch left undecorated, I realized why so many people; locals, tourists and religious believers from far and wide come to visit.

The Lungshan Temple you see today, is not the one you would have seen 70 or so years ago. It is also not the original. The Taipei Lungshan Temple was built in 1738 as a sister temple to the Lungshan Temple of the Fujian province. Buddhist followers fled from three different countries and resided here in the Manka District of Taipei. They came together and decided to create a temple that resembled and represented the same things the Lungshan Temple they were pious followers of back at home did.

Although dedicated to the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, Taoists are welcome and as you walk around you can spot many statues and paintings of Taoist deities. This is like many of the temples you can find in Taiwan. Due to the struggles the country has faced throughout history, the people here have become very tolerant of other religions and respect the needs of followers to find a place to pray.

The mix of people truly makes for an incredible atmosphere. Many are there just to marvel at the beauty of this structure. Some however, are there to pray, to ask for advice, help and protection from the gods. The wonderful thing about this temple in particular is that if you look to your left you can find monks chanting, to your right nuns are reading scriptures, behind you Buddhists are meditating and at the front by the altar there are Taoists havingtheir fortunes told. The sheer variety of people around this bustling temple is intoxicating in itself.

Mr Wang Yi-Shun designed the rebuild of the temple in 1919 after it suffered drastic damage from bombing. It is and always will be known as his masterpiece. I believe that there is no one in this world that could come to the temple and not marvel at the elaborate carvings of wood and stone, be in awe of the intricate, and bold coloured painting seen on every stretch of the structure and find something beautiful about the atmosphere and meaning it holds to so many different individuals.

If you ever get a chance to go to Lungshan Temple, I definitely recommend it whether you are religious or not. As far as the eye can see there are people placing offerings of flowers and food, burning candles and incense, however, you can just bring yourself, your camera and your thoughts. Whatever you decide, this is a masterpiece you don’t want to miss.