A woman kneels to offer her first prayer just inside the temple gates at Wong Tai Sin temple, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
On the rack standing to her front, offering bags of food and fruit gifts are left for the support of the Monks and their resident students. Worshipers stop to pray every few yards on their approach to the temple and it's altar. Wong Tai Sin in Kowloon (Kowloon meaning "nine Dragons") is Hong Kong’s most famous Taoist temple. It is a revered place of worship for those with health or business problems or for those seeking to offer prayers or have their fortunes told. Taoism |?dou?iz?m; ?tou-| noun a Chinese philosophy based on the writings of Lao-tzu ( fl. 6th century BC), advocating humility and religious piety. The central concept and goal is the Tao, and its most important text is the Tao-te-Ching. Taoism has both philosophical and a religious meanings. Philosophical Taoism emphasizes inner contemplation and mystical union with nature; wisdom, learning, and purposive action should be abandoned in favor of simplicity and wu-wei (nonaction, or letting things take their natural course). The religious aspect of Taoism evolved later, c. 3rd century ad, incorporating certain Buddhist features and developing a monastic system. Worshipers come to Wong Tai Sin in early morning, burning incense as they kneel and pray Between their quiet, private prayers, it's not uncommon to see friendly neighbors or strangers standing and exchanging jokes or gossip. They also leave edible offerings such as fruit for the Temple's Monks. Sidewalk vendors outside the gate peddle everything a worshiper might need inside. Kowloon, a ferry ride across the Bay from Hong Kong, is only a few square kilometers in size, but remains one of the world's most densely populated urban areas, including both residents and tourists. People from çhina's mainland came during the Qin (221 - 206BC) and Han (206BC - AD220) dynasties, to begin settling Hong Kong.
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Photo credit: © DAVID SEAWELL / Alamy / Afripics
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