Folk Taoism in Singapore
Posted on Jun 11, 2009 under Travel | No CommentThere is much to offer the traveler looking for a boutique hotel in Singapore. With its cosmopolitan air, the place has a lovely combination of old-world charm and new-world luxury and urban sophistication. On the cusp of cultural and social change, this is a vibrant place, with a bustle of activity 24 hours a day, and a multitude of opportunities to relax. Whether your stay here is for business or to invigorate your soul, there are many hidden gems in this sparkling place.
There are countless cultural festivals and activities to put you in touch with Singapore’s rich traditions. There are Buddhist and Taoist temples, with many public festivals that can be witnessed by the respectful traveler. There is also a fascinating tradition of Folk Taoism here that is less known, but no less fascinating. In many circles, this tradition is downplayed because it is considered to be of the farmer’s class, and it certainly has its origins here. But the roots are deep and run along a continuous line from many generations past.
One of the central components of Folk Taoism comes from the tradition of ancestor reverence, or ancestor worship. This is considered to be the oldest and largest world religion, that covers the globe in nearly every culture, past and present. The idea is that ancestors continue to affect the world of the living, and careful contact can work to contact the spirits of the dead to help in every human affair, from romances and finances to physical healing. The special class of priests and priestesses in Singapore who can contact the dead are called “tankis“. Tankis are a humble class, taking only the money offered at the discretion of the petitioner, and wealthy tankis are considered to have questionable faith and abilities. Tankis specialize in contact with ancestral spirits as well as spirits from the Taoist pantheon (as well as other local spirits of place). The stories of healings and messages from the dead are extremely fascinating. Although these beliefs are certainly worthy of investigation, they should be approached with extreme respect, and would absolutely add enormous color to the journey.
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