MA JOU MIU TAOIST TEMPLE OF THE ANCESTRAL MOTHER NYC USA 二零二五年四月二十日「媽祖聖誕日」 IN 2025, MA-JOU'S BIRTHDAY WILL FALL ON SUNDAY, APRIL 20th 4/20  Which also happens to be 「穀雨」season and introducing the 6大禁忌＋開運祕訣看這篇 The 6 "No-no's" BUT FIRST  What you should do: 1: 遶境與進香 Make a pilgramage to the Temple and fire up some joss Worshipers will come from hundreds of miles away unafraid of the wind and sun and are willing to endure hardships and sleep on the floor if neccesary because they believe that this is a kind of physical and mental practice (cultivation) and also a kind of piety offering to Majou. 2: 祝壽法會與祭典 Birthday ceremonies and festivals Majou temples around the world will hold grand birthday celebrations on this day her birthday With offerings of five kinds of fruits, fresh flowers, bean curd and other veggie products and the of hireing Taoist priest(s) to chant the appropriate incantations and spiritual petition (see below)  3. 平安餐與吃素 Veggie Meals for Peace Many believers choose to eat vegetarian food (or participate in a peace meal prepared by the temple on Majou's birthday) symbolizing, exemplifying and inacting the purification of body and mind and thanking Majou for her grace in the purest state. Many temples also distribute birthday peaches, peace cakes and other snacks to establish connections, which are sweet and auspicious and have special meaning. 4. 煙火與藝陣表演 Fireworks and various art performances Depending on the location of the temple, you may encounter the sounds of pipe music parade performances martial arts exhibitions the Eight Generals formation as well as Plum Blossum Pile competitions and nighttime fireworks shows.  PREPERATIONS 1: Flowers (all kinds except those with thorns i.e. roses): symbolize purity and maternal power 2: Longevity peaches and red tortoise cakes: Wishing for a long life (not yours) 3: Three kinds of fruit (i.e. oranges, pineapples & bananas): represent peace, prosperity, and wealth respectively 4: Tea, incense, candles and paper money: basic etiquette is essential Remember: offerings should mainly be in odd numbers 3 or 5 pieces of fruit, which symbolizes auspiciousness.  and now finally, without further adue 媽祖生日拜拜禁忌 the 6 NO-NO's for Majou's Birthday 1:避免穿著過於暴露或全黑服裝 Avoid wearing revealing or all-black clothing be modest and elegant 2: 忌批頭散髮 Avoid having messy hair Maintain a dignified appearance when entering a temple to worship 3: 不說負面話或罵髒話 Do not speak negative words or swear Keep your body, speech and mind pure on yours and Her birthday 4: 女性生理期忌參拜 Women should avoid visiting temples during their menstrual period According to traditional customs women should not enter temples during their menstrual period 5: 香忌插反 Avoid inserting incense upside down When worshipping, remember to walk around the incense burner clockwise which symbolizes cyclic change and auspiciousness When inserting incense, you should also pay attention to the gestures and direction The incense should face the deity directly in a perpendicular fashion to avoid accidentally inserting it upside down which will affect the expression of your blessing. 6: 不帶葷食進入廟宇 Do not bring meat into the temple Majou is a female deity who places special emphasis on cleanliness. Ma Jou was born on 時辰日三廿月三歷農年元隆建朝宋 23rd Day of the Third Lunar Month, 960 AD during the Sung Dynasty, in the Lam Family on a small island in the straits of Taiwan off the coast of China's Southeastern Fujian province called Putian Meizhou Island. Several days before and after Ma Jou’s birthday (the 23rd day of the 3rd lunar month), the Dragon King and other sea creatures would come to Meizhou Island to extend birthday congratulations to Ma Jou. Fishermen do not go fishing on those days to share Mazu’s mercy and celebrate her birthday. Scientific research shows that during those days, many fishes came to Meizhou Island to lay eggs. The story about Ma Jou’s birthday party actually serves as a fishing ban which prevents fishermen from fishing, facilitating the reproduction of sea creatures, and promote the harmony between human beings and nature. Blessed with uncommon powers, the Sacred Sea Mariner Ma Jou teaches us to be always mindful of the need for the reconciliation of the opposites in our lives... the need for both the masculine and the feminine, kindness and ferocity, the balance of nature and civilization, and above all, the harmonization of mind, body, and spirit.  Ma Jou Temples around the globe Ma Jou Taoist Temple in New York City 廟祖媽教道約紐國美 was founded in 1995 at 9 Second Avenue in Manhattan's Lower East Side 立成年五九九一曆西 and is currently operating in Ulster County, New York Here is the award winning documentary on the demise of Ma Jou Miu in NYC "The Tao of 9 Second Avenue" (日拜禮) 號十二月四曆新 日三廿月三曆舊係日秋千母聖上天祖媽年今 Donate, become a member, disciple or devotee! contact 絡聯 mailing address: MA JOU MIU-TAOIST TEMPLE OF THE ANCESTRAL MOTHER NYC USA PO BOX 1065 NEW PALTZ, NY 12561 Lunar Calendar |