The seeds of this sacred connection were planted as early as last year, when the principal deity of the Lao Nong Sheng Jun Temple in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, decreed a divine will to visit Malaysia and form a spiritual brotherhood with the principal deity of Tew Seng Keng Temple in Klang. This long-awaited moment arrived on 8th April 2018, at 10 a.m., in the modest original temple of Tew Seng Keng in Taman Klang Jaya.
Witnessed by over a hundred devotees and committee members from both sides, a rare spiritual scene unfolded: the deities of the two temples from both countries were formally bonded in divine brotherhood.
Six sacred effigies of FaZhuGong from Lao Nong Sheng Jun Temple were specially enshrined on the main altar of Tew Seng Keng, placed alongside the temple’s resident deities — symbolizing divine presence in unison. According to Datuk Dr. Ng Teck Ho, Tew Seng Keng’s Honorary Life Chairman, this marks the first overseas Taoist delegation in the temple’s 67-year history. It was beyond expectation that the principal deity of Lao Nong Sheng Jun Temple had already issued a divine directive a year before forging this brotherly bond.
Ms. Wu Xiu Hui, Executive Director of the Fujian-Taiwan Fazhugong Faith Association, made this extraordinary event possible. It marked the successful conclusion of a 5 days 4 nights sacred flame mission. The 36-member delegation visited several temples including Thian Hock Keng Temple (Bukit Kuda, Klang), Tian Fu Kong (Kapar, Klang), Chun Hun Keong (Cheras), Yuen Tin Temple (KL), and Tian Hock Kung Temple (Telok Pulai, Klang), before arriving at Tew Seng Keng Temple.
Receiving the Sacred Flame: A Divine Encounter
A particularly awe-inspiring moment occurred when the spirit medium Zhong Rui Rong from Lao Nong Sheng Jun Temple was possessed by Fazhugong immediately upon disembarking in Klang. In a trance, he removed his shoes and shirt, running barefoot toward the temple over 200 meters away, as if pulled by an invisible force.
Upon his arrival, Zhang Sheng Gong’s own medium, Zhang Guan Run, was also possessed. The two spirit mediums — vessels of Fazhugong — bowed to one another and sat face to face. Lao Nong Sheng Jun Temple and Tew Seng Seng’s chairman representatives exchanged sacred scrolls and gifts, after which the deities temporarily withdrew.
Following this, Taoist Priest Pan Ming Xiong led a series of solemn rituals, including inviting the deities, opening the altar, summoning divine troops, and receiving the sacred flame. Each step required three consecutive positive lots (sheng bei) for divine approval, the process taking over an hour. Priest Pan read aloud a prepared memorial to the gods, expressing the intention to form a spiritual brotherhood between the two temples’ deities.
After reading the memorial, incense ashes from Tew Seng Keng’s incense burner were collected and placed in a smaller burner. The sacred fire was then ignited using incense brought from Lao Nong Temple, and placed into the smaller burner encircled by folded gold paper in the shape of a miniature furnace. A single incense stick was inserted into the top, igniting the paper slowly.
As the incense began to burn, the medium of Lao Nong Temple was suddenly possessed again. He entered a trance and the entire small burner burst into vibrant flames. Tew Seng Keng’s medium followed in a trance, and the two deities, once again present, bowed and paid respect, sealing the ritual of the sacred flame and their bond of brotherhood.
Taking the Incense Ashes Back to Taiwan
The ceremony proceeded flawlessly, leaving a lasting impression on Klang’s devotees. The sacred flame ritual, unique to Taiwan’s Fazhugong culture, was especially grand and moving. Before withdrawing, the deity of Lao Nong Sheng Jun Temple instructed the incense ashes collected from Tew Seng Keng Temple must be enshrined back in Taiwan — symbolizing the everlasting bond and shared divine lineage between the two temples.
The Taiwanese delegation also pledged to return for the consecration ceremony of Tew Seng Kengs new temple upon its completion, further strengthening the brotherhood.
Ms. Wu Xiu Hui, who coordinated the event, shared that the visit was timed to coincide with Taiwan’s Qingming Festival holiday. She emphasized the importance of international exchanges in promoting and preserving Fazhugong culture, and saw this event as a bridge between the religious traditions of Malaysia and Taiwan.
Sparks of Brotherhood Between Temples
She deliberately scheduled Tew Seng Keng Temple as the final stop on their journey — the grand finale — to ensure the delegation could relax and truly connect with new friends. Most importantly, they brought back the sacred fire from Tew Seng Keng to enshrine at Lao Nong Sheng Jun Temple, joining the temples in divine light.
As a dedicated devotee and Executive Director of both the Taiwan-Kaohsiung Nanzih District, Sheng Jun Dian Temple, and the cross-strait religious association, Wu has long promoted the culture of Fazhugong across Malaysia, Taiwan, and China. She also revealed that from 9th – 12th May 2018, she would lead another delegation to attend the first Zhang Sheng Zhen Jun Cultural Festival at the ancestral temple in Jinsha, Fuzhou, China, gathering believers from across the three regions.
Tew Seng Keng Chairman Mr. Ng Teck Seng described the visit and rituals by the leaders and representatives of Kaohsiung’s temple as an immense honor. It marked the temple’s first official international religious partnership, and its significance is profound.
This spiritual exchange not only deepened ties between the two temples but a blessing and inspiration for the construction of Tew Seng Keng’s new temple. Through shared faith and collaboration, both temples aim to promote the longevity and prosperity of their religious practices. Plans are already in motion for a return visit to Lao Nong Sheng Jun Temple — where the sparks of divine brotherhood will continue to glow brightly.
Reported by:法喜
