KUCHING: Devotees gathered at Dao Jia Gong Temple today (July 26) for the consecration of the sacred statue of Military Deity of Wealth Marshal Zhao Gongming amid vibrant traditional celebrations.
Batu Lintang assemblyman and Dao Jia Gong Temple legal advisor See Chee How, who officiated the ceremony, said the occasion reflected not only Taoist beliefs but also Sarawak’s longstanding culture of mutual respect among communities.
“Sarawak is blessed because we have people of many different religions living together, and every faith is given the freedom to practise.
“It is something we should continue to preserve for future generations,” he said when met by reporters.
See said Dao Jia Gong Temple, which has served the community for about 14 years, has grown into a place where people from different ethnic backgrounds, including members of the Dayak community, gather in worship and celebration.
He said the temple’s presence on native customary land reflected the mutual respect shared among Sarawak’s diverse communities, where different faiths and cultures continue to flourish side by side.
The ceremony marked the arrival of the newly consecrated statue of Marshal Zhao Gongming from China, which was welcomed with traditional rites before devotees carried it through the surrounding neighbourhood in a colourful procession accompanied by lion dances and traditional drums.
See said the procession symbolised prayers for peace, prosperity and blessings upon nearby homes and businesses, while strengthening the temple’s longstanding bond with the surrounding community.
“Beyond its religious significance, the temple continues to strengthen community ties and preserve Chinese cultural traditions, with devotees of all ages taking part in the ceremony,” he added.
