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Culture Days will return September 20 – October 13, 2024.
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Paper Folding - Tian Jin Temple
In-person
Craft Design Drawing History & heritage InterculturalDate and time
Location
Tian Jin Temple
3426 Smith Avenue, Burnaby, British Columbia V5G 2T3, Canada
Burnaby, BC
Access
Free.
Offered in English and Mandarin.
Wheelchair accessible.
About
The art of paper-folding - originated in medieval China.
Paper was invented by the dignitary Cai Lun who was serving the imperial Chinese court about 2200 years ago. Back then, Cai Lun began producing sheets of paper from scraps of old rags, tree bark and fishing nets…Nowadays, paper has been made from a wide variety of materials for different usage scenarios and that includes using the incense paper for folding paper Lotus in honoring the deceased ancestors and spirits on ZhongYuanJie.
ZhongYuanJie (中元节), or so called the Ghost Festival, is a Chinese folk festival in Taoist and Buddhist culture. Believed by the folk religion, during the ZhongYuanJie, the deceased ancestors are visiting the living, therefore rituals such as food offerings and burning paper-folded Lotus Flower will be performed to transmute and absolve the sufferings of the deceased. In Chinese culture, Lotus Flower is a metaphor for the cycle of life, witnessing birth and death: for the living people, Lotus is a blessing for good fortune and energy, just as the Lotus rise from the mud; for the deceased ancestor, Lotus is a symbol of rebirth and transformation, just as Lotus return to murky water each evening.
On September 23, 2023, Chinese Taoism Kuan Kung Association in Canada will be hosting the paper folding event - featuring the Lotus Flower folding art. You are welcome to walk-in, tour the venue (i.e., a temple), have a chat with the volunteer and learn how to fold a Lotus Flower. The Lotus Flower will be gathered for use in our Autumn Fahui in early October.
Links
- Tian Jin Temple tianjintemple.org
Organizer
Chinese Taoism Kuan-Kung Association in Canada
Established in 1995, the Association in Canada follows the three missions: “Helping, saving, and guiding those in need”. Inspired by the values of loyalty and filial piety demonstrated by the deity Kuan-Kung, the Association strives to provide service to the society and promote ethical and moral practices, through charitable and engaging activities.