CHINESE TEMPLES

Taranaki Daily News, 29 April 1937, Page 8

CHINESE TEMPLES

% INTENSE JEALOUSY idols' terrible appearance. FEAR OF "DEV1LS OR DEMONS." Many a romantice plot for novelists lias been provided by the curious temple gods of China, writes Stanley Powell in the Adelaide Chronicle. Precious gems shed a glorious sheen over the intricate craftsmanship which is seen in Chinese gods. In the older days, a number of adventurous gentlemen thought it very smart to steai the jewels which adorn the temple gods. But the persistent tracking down of the stealers in foreign lands show how determined the Chinese are in hounding those who defile their sacred gods, let alone the Westerners who rob the idols of their precious burden. Perhaps the most elaborate idol I have seen in the varied East is the huge warrior god which stands in the Warrior's Temple near Hangkow, in China. It reaches to a height of 40 feet. Joss sticks burn all through the day and night in a special altar at the base of the god. This image is of fearsome design to represent a god of war in action. Eeautiful enamel tiles of soft pastel tones, silver, and pure gold, form the materials of the image. Marvellous Work. Although so terrible in appearance the idol is really a . marvellous piece of work. Made many years ago, it is a typical demonstration of how the Easterner regards the appearance of his gods. The Chinese religion is based on the people's tears. Therefore, their gods are made to assume a frightening appearance so that the people will be in awe of them! Throughout my travels in .China, I found that the mass of the people were absolutely frightened to death of "devils or demons." I stayed at the home of a well known merchant in^the heart of the Chinese quarter of Hangkow. Around this home the Chinese owner had erected a fine brick wali of peculiar design. This was to keep out the demons! These Chinese men who face death daily in many forms, and to whom human lives are of no Value, will blubber like little children at the thought of "demons" getting into their houses. For this reason the Chinese always make a brave show with their crackers in order to scare off any lurking demons. Another strange thing in China is the tilted roofs of the houses and temples. It appears that demons like straight paths, and have trouble in getting round corners. The Chinese think to trick them by giving them a slope to the rooftips and paths. You never sce a straight path in a garden. Even the bridges are of mostly a zig-zag pattern to confuse the demon spirits! Japan and Siam also follow this idea. Contrary to general opinion, , the Chinese people do not worship their dead. They pay great reverence to them, but not actual worship. Confucian Teaching. Confucianism is the religion of China. It is not so much a religion as it is a "teacher"; for the principles of Confucianism are like a teacher instructing a scholar. Even in the Chinese churches I saw small tablets standing along the walls, inscribed with wise sayings of the scholar. ' I found it highly dangerous to attempt. an entry into some of the intriguing temples in China, and had some narrow shaves from injury as a result. The Chinese people are intensely jealous of their temples and gods, and will commit any sin to appease the wrath of. a violated- temple god. Many of the temple designs are of the pagoda type, and consist of a number of quaint tiers rising to a point. An example of this type well known to travellers is the Temple of Heaven near ' Shanghai. Here again, one sees the queer tilting up of the tier-eaves to a point to ward off possible demons! I was amused to learn that many of ihe big merchants of the native quarters will not venture out during the day until a vast quantity of crackers are let off near the gateway. Special servants are employed for this purpose.