One of the oldest customs celebrated during Chinese New Year is temple fairs: religious gatherings held by temples in order to worship Chinese gods and deities. During the New Year, people flock to temples to make offerings and light candles and incense while reflecting on the past year and wishing for prosperity in the year to come.
This year, why not celebrate the Lunar New Year by visiting a Buddhist or Taoist temple? Here are five temples you can visit around the metro.
Ocean Sky Chan Monastery
716 Jose Abad Santos St., Little Baguio, San Juan
Located in Little Baguio, San Juan, Ocean Sky Chan Monastery is a temple that offers free Zen meditation classes and other ceremonies throughout the year. During Chinese New Year, the monastery holds a blessing ceremony, which includes holding a praise of purification with water and willow, a grand meal offering, and the striking of the Dharma drum and Bodhi bell.
Kuang Kong Temple
Kipuja St., Sta. Cruz, Binondo, Manila
Named after a Chinese deity representing justice and balance, the Kuang Kong Temple is hidden in the side streets of Binondo. Devotees flock to the temple to have their fortunes read or to get advice from the elders. During Lunar New Year, devotees light candles and incense, and place offerings before the altar dedicated to Kuang Kong.
Seng Guan Temple
1176 Narra St., Tondo, Manila
Another temple you can find in Binondo is the Seng Guan Temple, which is one of the biggest temples in Chinatown. The temple houses several meditation rooms and shrines dedicated to buddhas. Members of the Filipino-Chinese community visit the temple to offer flowers and food on Chinese New Year eve, and light candles and incense to start the new year.
Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple
656 Ocampo St., Malate, Manila
At the heart of Malate, the Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple holds free meditation sessions, youth summer camps, and Dharma lessons. To celebrate the lunar new year, the temple holds, the Festival of Light and Peace, which includes sounding the bell of peace, a Thousand-Buddha Prayer Service, and dynamic and interactive exhibits that are open to everyone.
Filipino-Chinese Taoist Temple of Manila
Unit 301, 506 Caballeros St., Brgy. San Nicolas, Binondo, Manila
In order to promote Buddhist values, the Filipino Chinese Taoist Temple of Manila offers prayer and meditation services, and devotees can light candles and offer food during their visit. This temple is one of the most visited during Chinese New Year celebrations especially by the Filipino-Chinese community to wish for prosperity.
Header by Kew Li Wen on Unsplash
Get more stories like this by subscribing to our weekly newsletter here.
Read more:
Celebrate Chinese New Year with these traditionally lucky dishes
Etiquette you need to know before your Chinese New Year feast
There is no chop suey in China—and other dishes that aren’t actually Chinese
Writer: ANGELA PATRICIA SUACILLO
