Legend says that Wong Tai Sin was not born with godly power. Originally named Wong Cho-ping he lived during the Jin dynasty. Now, we stand before a place named in his honor. This is Wong Tai Sin!
Wong Cho-ping was a Taoist master. He led a humble childhood herding sheep. But one day, an immortal recognized his good nature. The immortal taught him healing techniques. He also shared medicinal knowledge with Wong Cho-ping at the age of 15. Wong Cho-ping then spent 40 years honing his abilities in a secret cave. Finally, he attained immortality.
During his absence, his older brother looked for him. Hoping for clues, Cho-hei followed a Taoist priest. They headed to Jinhua Hill and reunited with Cho-ping. The immortal brother pointed at the boulder-studded hillside. He said the sheep were well-tended. But only rocks lined the expanse. Then the accomplished master chanted. Suddenly, all the stones turned into flocks of sheep. There were tens of thousands!
Flabbergasted, Cho-hei asked how his brother achieved this feat. Later, he followed his lead to become an immortal too. Wong Cho-ping attained his mastery in Tsik Chung Hill. Because of this, people also call him Tsik Chung Wong Tai Sin.
Before the lore of Wong Tai Sin came to Hong Kong, Taoist priests in Guangzhou worshipped him. After the collapse of the Qing dynasty, the temple risked vandalism. Anti-religion sentiment was high. The believers conducted fuji. This is a Taoist divination technique. A deity’s message is channeled through a drawing stylus. Following the deity’s guidance, the priests decided to head south. They settled in Hong Kong. They carried with them a painting of Wong Tai Sin. The old temple site in Guangzhou was turned into an orphanage.
Starting afresh, the priests set up a herbal medicine shop in Wan Chai. It was in tribute to Wong Tai Sin’s history as a healer. An altar dedicated to the god was constructed. Worshippers could visit and pray. They also sought medical advice. But a fire destroyed the shop. Wong Tai Sin was without a home for a few years.
Years later, one of the priests received a message from the god himself. He was told to build a new temple. Conducting another fuji, he divined Chuk Yuen Village as ideal. The priests earmarked the area with bamboo. They were told the locale bore the virtue of a phoenix’s wings. The new premises were built. It was in accordance with the Five Elements principle. It became the Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple.
Legend says Wong Tai Sin protected his temple and locals during the Japanese occupation. He spared no effort to extend his help, sometimes through miracles. In 1942, a Japanese intruder tried to seize the temple’s signboard. But they fell off a ladder. Fearful of supernatural forces, the intruder bowed to Wong Tai Sin’s statue. Then, he left the temple grounds.
Embodied within the motto “Ask and be answered”, Wong Tai Sin illuminates people’s uncertainties. People use kau chim. This is a divination technique. Oracles are distributed among 100 bamboo sticks. The visitor shakes the cylindrical container. Then a bamboo stick falls out. A soothsayer reveals the divine message.
Given his prominence, a landlocked Hong Kong district and its railway station bear the name of Wong Tai Sin. The temple here is one of the most-visited in Hong Kong. Remember Wong Tai Sin’s story as you explore this temple. Think of the deity’s origins as a healer. Consider the syncretism of Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist teachings.