Who are they?The gods of the gate

Why were they worship as gods?Guards the entrance to the house, protect the household

http://arts.cultural-china.com/en/84A6063A11950.html

The introduction of non-native religion into Southeast Asia.

Topic Objectives:

A. Origin / Founder of the religionB. Basic teachings and ideasC. Festivals and celebrationsD. The spread of the religion to Southeast Asia

Chinese religion is a complex mix of Chinese folk religion, Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism

A. Origin of Chinese religion

http://www.findoutchina.com/Files/image/Laozi3.jpghttp://www.awaken.com/tag/confucius/

Although texts relating to Chinese folk religion exist, they are not systematized and there is no main scriptural collection to which all devotees adhere.

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A. Origin of Chinese religion

1. InclusivenessUnlike many other religions, Chinese folk religion places no emphasis on exclusivity or on doctrine. Due to the lack of exclusivity, practitioners of Chinese folk religion may easily practice other religions such as Daoism or Buddhism.

B. Basic Teachings and Ideas

Deities may also be related to more common aspects of nature, such as the sun, the moon, or the land. Geographical features, such as mountains, are also worshiped.

Goddess of the South China SeaAlso known as mazu and tainhou (heavenly queen)

Associated with protecting the seafaring community from storms and ensure a good harvest of fishes

B. Basic Teachings and Ideas

hummingbirdfull.tktysahayuning.blogspot.com-

The god of wealthEvery year on the spring festival (Lunar New Year) every family welcomes the god of wealth and make sacrifices to him.

B. Basic Teachings and Ideas

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2. Ancestral Veneration: Ancestors are venerated and rituals are performed on their behalf so that ancestral spirits might be persuaded to equally aid their living descendants on earth.

B. Basic Teachings and Ideas

http://6thsocialstudiesmcginty.blogspot.sg/2014/03/ancestor-worship-and-oracle-bones.html

Sacrifices: Sacrifices to ancestors or deities are still often performed. Generally speaking, living beasts are no longer sacrificed. Instead, bamboo paper replicas—especially of money. The most popular form of replicated currency is commonly referred to in English as "Hell Bank Notes".

B. Basic Teachings and Ideas

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Festivals and celebrationsGhost FestivalEvery year on 7th lunar month (usually in the month of August), most Chinese (usually Taoists) in Singapore and other countries practice a large-scale tradition of paying respects to the dead.During this month, the Taoist Chinese believe the “Gates of Hell” are wide-opened and souls of the dead are freed and allowed to roam the earth.It is the month when they are out seeking for food and entertainments. http://www.singaporeplayground.com/2010/08/hungry-ghost-festival.html

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Festivals and celebrationsTo respect and provide some “entertainments” to the dead, there will be traditional rituals, Chinese customs and performances almost at every corner of Singapore.

Activities of the festival include preparing ritual offerings of food, and burning ghost money (or paper money) to please the visiting ghosts and spirits as well as deities and ancestors.

therealsingapore.com www.singaporeplayground.com

Festivals and celebrationsThe Mid-Autumn Festival, Moon cake FestivalFamily members and friends gather to visit scenic spots, gaze at the moon, and eat moon-cakes and pomelos.Brightly-lit lanterns are often carried around by children.

Farmers celebrate the end of the agricultural season and the harvest on this date.

www.tuku.cn

The spread of the religion to Southeast Asia

Zhen He and his Chinese sailors and traders

http://mrkash.com/activities/asiadocs.html