HISTORY OF MA ZHU TEMPLE
"Holy Mother of the Heaven", which is generally called "Ma Zhu" was born in Fujian as a daughter of Mr. Lin. She was named as Mou Nyang (a silent girl) because she never cried for a month after birth. As she was a keen intelligent girl, she chanted a prayer to Buddha every morning and evening when she was 10, and at 16 she was given a God's doctrine and a copper label (though there are various opinions, she was taught how to write the labels from God when she looked into the well). She got supernatural power and transformation begins to work, expelled the wickedness by the power of the label, turned away the evil, put out misfortune, began to cure people's disease, redeemed the world. Therefore she was respectfully called a "Wise and Soulful Woman". She was also called a "Heavenly Authorized Soulful Woman" by using supernatural power like; getting on a straw mat and crossed the sea, got on a cloud, and flew around the islands.On September 9th, A.D.987, she had passed away and risen to heaven after her training on one fine day. She was at the age of 28. She was often witnessed flying over the sea in a red costume and helping people, even after death. As she helped the people with her prominent miracle power, people built a shrine and worshiped her.
Ma Zhu became a Goddess from a human being and enshrined as a Goddess of the Sea. Shipowners used to make a household altar on a ship and worshipped her, and after that people not only prayed for the safety of their voyage but, as well as flood disaster and drought, cholera, theft, war and epidemic.
Our Adventure inside the temple
As we entered the temple Taka paid for us to receive 4 sticks of lit incense to be put in each of the vessels after we bow 3 times and pray to Ma Zhu. Ma Zhu is believed to protect you during your travels. She is also believed to answer your prayers for household safety, success in business, achieving good luck, healthy longevity, safe births.
