Mercy Seeking

[Red Dawn]

Hi

I have photographed in churches (actually this one not counted cos it's the one i attend and it's part of my ministry ;P), mosques, and more recently, a Indian temple, so i tot i would do a traditional Chinese temple series......

Here are the series of shots from my first visit to the Goddess of Mercy temple near Bugis. (the name eludes me at the moment)Not the most photographer friendly of places - in fact, possibly the most hostile of the religious places i've shot in - both the pple visiting and the staff of the temple. Smiles don't work here apparently, not when everybody is busy asking for favours from their deity. A few even look menacing. None talked to me or chatted me up. The temple also employ security guards, one of whom told me not to photograph inside the temple when he spotted me. I agreed, for about 30 seconds.......

On hindsight, I did not ask permission and thus, did not feel as "free" as i was at the Al Falah Mosque, and I feel this shows in the pictures :| Oh well, there's always another visit, and this time I would know wat to do (try asking permission first!).

Enjoy!

New Year Crowd



Crowds throng the temple before Lunar New Year to ask for favour and protection.

Joss Sticks Collection



Outside the temple, worshippers gather up the joss sticks they would use.

Joss Sticks



Due to the huge crowd, lighting up one's joss sticks is no easy matter - you need to fight for the space from other worshippers, and nosy photographers...............

Dear Goddess......



Young and Old throng the temple, united in their belief and hope that the Goddess of Mercy will look upon them with favour.

Sticking 'em in....

[Sin]

Quote: Originally posted by Red Dawn Here are the series of shots from my first visit to the Goddess of Mercy temple near Bugis. (the name eludes me at the moment)Not the most photographer friendly of places - in fact, possibly the most hostile of the religious places i've shot in - both the pple visiting and the staff of the temple. Smiles don't work here apparently, not when everybody is busy asking for favours from their deity. A few even look menacing. None talked to me or chatted me up. The temple also employ security guards, one of whom told me not to photograph inside the temple when he spotted me. I agreed, for about 30 seconds....... On hindsight, I did not ask permission and thus, did not feel as "free" as i was at the Al Falah Mosque, and I feel this shows in the pictures :| Oh well, there's always another visit, and this time I would know wat to do (try asking permission first!).

I don't think asking for permission (from the visitors or the staff) is going to work. Sad to say, a chinese temple is not really a place for social meetings, unlike Churches or Mosque (or even Synagogue? not sure, never been in one really), which seems to me to be areas of social congregation for people who go to the same Church or Mosque on a regular basis. People who frequent the "Kuan Im Tang" are basically devotees who come for their own personal agenda, and the only "person" they wanna commune with is basically the Deity on the altar, not the guy next to you (generally lah, excluding the kind old ladies who just like to chat people up and the people trying to sell you things there).

You might get better luck at some of the other temples like the one in Toa Payoh. From what I understand, they have things similar to a "congregation" which meet regularly (normally at night) to chant sutras (sometime wearing black robes).

[mervlam]

don't you know that it's taboo to photograph in a Chinese Temple? personally, i would be kind of irritated with a photographer that is "menacing" the devotees in a sacred place like the "Kuan Im Tong".

haven't you try some of the Buddhist temples or "wat" in Thailand? they have soldiers guarding them instead of security guys. you had better listen to their instructions, or risk being arrested.

[Sin]

Quote: Originally posted by mervlam don't you know that it's taboo to photograph in a Chinese Temple? personally, i would be kind of irritated with a photographer that is "menacing" the devotees in a sacred place like the "Kuan Im Tong". haven't you try some of the Buddhist temples or "wat" in Thailand? they have soldiers guarding them instead of security guys. you had better listen to their instructions, or risk being arrested.

Why is it a taboo?
I know some temples don't allow, but not all. I have taken photos in Tien Hock Kian and Yue Hai Ching with no problems at all. Some of the caretakers there even pointed out details of interest to me when I did that.

True, some people will get irritated when a photographer snap them in the temple. Not too different from occasions when being snapped off the street. It depends on the individual. Some might find it more irritating when praying since it's considered something personal.

It is also not sacrilegious to photograph altars or statues of the deities, or at least I believe so. I've seen photos of the altars and dieties previously and some even published by the temple authorities themselves.

Why are no photography allowed? Well, most of the time, it is in order not to disturb the devotees that are actually praying, or to disturb the atmosphere of a place of worship. Especially at famous places, like Kuan Im Tong. Imagine a horde of camera touting tourists snapping away at devotees like they're in the zoo or bird park, how would you feel?

Why not allow just one person to take photo? Well, once there's a precedence, everyone else who follows will want to do it too, then we'll get the situation mentioned above.

A chinese temple is a place of worship, not unlike churches or mosque. So the main thing is not to disturb the praying. I guess that's the same reason why famous places of worship sometimes cordon off an area just for people who pray and keep the tourists (or respectfully request them to keep out unless praying) away.

As for Thailand, haven't been there yet. So I no know why they have soldiers guarding temple instead.

[mervlam]

hmm... u got a point there. maybe it's restricted only to Buddhist temples.

[Sin]

Quote: Originally posted by mervlam hmm... u got a point there. maybe it's restricted only to Buddhist temples.

I don't think it's strictly Buddhist. I believe even in Buddhist temples, some can some cannot. Just up to each individual temple lor.

[Snowcrash]

Quote: Originally posted by Sin You might get better luck at some of the other temples like the one in Toa Payoh. From what I understand, they have things similar to a "congregation" which meet regularly (normally at night) to chant sutras (sometime wearing black robes).

Wah, of all chinese temples, RD choose the one at Bugis!!!



I agree with sin, try other temple, lesser crowd, and with friendly staff telling the history... ...

Happy shooting!