Tribute to goddess for wealth and health gets online tweak

The tradition of "borrowing from Kwun Yum's vault" has taken a new twist - temple staff will help believers pay tribute to the goddess so they do not need to go in person during the pandemic.

With more and more activities moving online, temple runner Tung Wah Group of Hospitals announced special arrangements for six of its temples.

Worshippers will not be able to borrow from Kwun Yum's treasury in person from the group's temples this year. Instead, they will have to register online so staff can help them carry out the rituals.

The tradition begins on the night of the 26th day of the first lunar month and is believed to bring luck to worshippers.

They will get a red note inscribed with an imaginary sum of money - usually millions of dollars. The ritual allows believers to borrow luck from Kwun Yum, so that they can earn more money and have better health in the year ahead.

Worshippers "repay" the luck by going to the temples and paying tribute to the goddess.

The day for borrowing falls on March 8 this year.

Staff from Shui Yuet Palace, a temple to Kwun Yum on Shantung Street in Mong Kok, will borrow from the goddess's vault on behalf of worshippers who have registered online.

The "middleman" service will be free of charge - compared to the HK$45 fee for borrowing from Kwun Yum's treasury in person the previous year.

Registration starts on February 12, the first day of Lunar New Year. The group will also livestream the event on Facebook.

The other temples the group runs include Litt Shing Kung in Sheung Wan and Kwun Yum Temple in Tsz Wan Shan, plus three others in Yau Ma Tei. They will remain open in the daytime, with social distancing measures in place.

However, worshippers will not be allowed to borrow or repay Kwun Yum on the day, even if they are inside the temples.

The new arrangement will be a test to tradition.

Many believers considered being first in line to show their dedication to Kwun Yum and to have a higher chance of borrowing a large amount from its vault.

The Kwun Yum temple in Hung Hom usually sees over 1,000 worshippers in line for the event. The temple, run by Chinese Temples Committee, has yet to announce its arrangements.

michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com