Chùa Ông Bổn

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1. warvn says

   June 30, 2013 at 10:40 pm

   
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   From AJA

   This small temple was built just after World War II by Chinese immigrants, dedicated to Ong Bon, the god considered as the guardian of happiness and virtue. He is also known as the god of wealth, which is why many worshippers bring fake paper currency to burn in the pagoda’s furnace as an offering to him. This ritual is believed to be very auspicious and participating in it is said to bring financial blessings to the individual and his/her family. The central feature of the pagoda is an ornately carved wood and gold altar and idol of Ong Bon.

   While this temple is a popular destination for tourists in the city, it is also used sincerely by those coming to worship and pray. The day we visited we were able to talk with several. There is a high school next door to the temple which is for ethnic Chinese students, many of whom come to the temple. When we shared with one young girl student she told us that she had never heard of Jesus. Others we saw included a man who was visiting in the city from another province. He told us that he specifically came to this temple because he worships Ong Bon at a similar temple near his home. One man came to pray for his brother who is sick.

   While we were there we prayed for the man’s sick brother and for the student who heard about Jesus for the first time. We prayed for God to open blinded eyes to see that the idols they offer things to have no power to help them. Will you pray for the people of this temple, the high school next door and the neighborhood surrounding it?

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