Praying in a Chinese temple

 

Temple = am1 (Buddhism)/ bio3 (Taoism)

1. Prepare offerings

Prepare fresh flowers and fruits as offerings for the gods. One can usually purchase these near the temple.

2. Light the incense or put your palms together

Take one or three incense sticks and pay respect to the Jade Emperor Censer outside. After paying respect to the Jade Emperor, pay respect to the main god honored by the temple.

3. Say the prayer in silence

When paying your respects, say your name, the place you are from, and the content of your prayer in your heart, and remember to thank the gods for their blessings.

1. Cun4pi3 pai4sin2 ay1 bik3kiia3

Cun4pi3 hua1 kak3 koi1ci4 hor3 i1ay1 sin2. Ay3sai4 uan1 am1/ bio3 kin4kin4 bay4.

2. Tiam4 hiior1 a3si3 nor3payng2 chiu4 kham3 khi4lai2

Gia2 ce3ki1 a3si3 saa3ki3 hiior1 kak3 pai4 Thii3korng1 uan1 gua3khau4. Pai4 Thii3korng1 ho4liau4, cia4 pai4 am1/ bio3 lai3bin3 ay1 sin2.

3. Uan1 sim1 lai3bin3 khiu2

Khiu2 ay1 si2, korng4 lu4ay1 mia2, tor1lork1 lai2 ay1, kak3 khiu2 ha1mik1 uan1 lu4ay1 sim1 lai3bin3, ai4 ay3ki3 korng4 kam4sia3.

To light = tiam4

Incense = hiior1

Jade Emperor (Heavenly Grandfather) = Thii3korng1

God/ deity = sin2

Pray = pai4sin2/ khiu2