Alyson’s 3/31 Tarot：皇后 Empress
Alyson’s 3/31 Tarot：皇后 Empress
讓我熱淚盈眶，讓我溫暖力量滿胸膛
讓我謙卑跪下，讓我平靜祥和又安康
焚香，仰頭，靜心，凝視
向您呼喚，不敢高喊
您沉默，您不理
您低眉看似俯瞰紅塵，也許看人們的前世今生
只要您在哪，那兒就是我的家，我歸屬的地方
https://dcalyson0110.pixnet.net/blog/post/145031173
生日快樂！觀世音菩薩
觀世音菩薩的聖誕日，我前往林口竹林山觀音寺幫觀音菩薩慶生，祝賀她的生日。
乾媽 ~ 我是神明的孩子
小時候非常羨慕哥哥和弟弟都有乾媽，我卻沒有。
曾問過媽媽，為何我沒有。
爸媽說，因為我小時候非常愛哭，又愛跟弟弟吵架，沒有大人喜歡我，沒有人想當我的乾爸或乾媽。
我在夜裡哭泣。
我覺得我很棒的呀！
我太小了，不管是哭泣，或是因太愛哭被媽媽抱在懷裡睡覺的記憶。
羨慕現在的孩子，父母將他們成長，紀錄在相機裡，電腦裡，還有影片裡。
最後，觀世音菩薩成為了我的乾媽。
在我們的文化裡，許多與神明有緣分的孩子，會認神明做乾爸或乾媽。
我們是神明的孩子。
慶生
那天，我比原先預期的晚半個小時起床。
以前長輩和朋友們的睡眠是隨著年齡增長而遞減，我連這點都與眾不同，現在年紀多了，睡眠時間更長了。
沒有睡飽，無法清醒，頭會痛。
所以即使神識有點舒醒，但眼睛張不開，腦子無法運轉時，我就會繼續貪睡一下。
準備了水果，擺放在好看的竹籃裡，到時候就提著進廟裡，直接放在供桌就可以。
記得家裡在這樣的日子，媽媽會事先去買紅龜粿或壽桃這類中式糕點給神明慶生。
我想著自己愛吃的是蛋糕，於是就準備蛋糕。
直覺力
晚起，當天所有的時間都需往後延。
賴床時，腦海中曾閃過一個思緒，非常短暫，快得沒能抓住那訊息。
直到進入蛋糕店，聽著店家跟排在我前面的那位客人說，小型蛋糕已售完的話語，這時，早上沒能抓到的訊息，馬上連結到腦海，並清晰有了畫面與現在眼前發生的場景一樣。
我的直覺力慢慢得回來了，經過我散漫了六、七百天後，感動。
是觀世音菩薩和眾神明的庇佑。
祈禱與祝賀
取了六根香，在廟的右邊側門裡面有點香檯。
高舉點燃的香，然後從右邊側門走出。
走至天空爐前，頂禮，祈禱念詞，三拜。
將三根香插入廟大門正前方的香爐裡。
後退，頂禮，三拜。
從廟的左邊側門進入廟宇裡。
站在中心排，面向前方的神明佛像。
頂禮，祈禱念詞，三拜。
將手上還有的三根香插入前方香爐裡。
後退，雙掌合起，三拜。
從十幾年前，我前來廟宇，除了特別的三次以外，皆無任何的祈求。
第一次是請求指引工作選擇。
第二次是爸爸住院病危通知。
第三次是拜託照護奶奶爸媽。
今日目的是慶生，當然就是祝福生日快樂，然後國家安康。
小幸運，也是小福報
停車位
當我車子快接近廟宇附近的停車場時，前方塞車了。
將車子右轉，打算繞一圈，到後面馬路的停車格。
轉了一圈後，注意到原塞車的路口已無車，那就試試看，也許有比較近的停車位。
過了紅綠燈，馬上，右前方就有個停車格，還是最後一個。
就這樣輕易且順利將車停好。
供品位
進入廟宇，非常多人，供桌上滿滿的供品。
尋思要找空位擺放水果和蛋糕，走到白虎邊的第二排桌子，剛好看到有香客在收他們的供品。
超級幸運的呀！
請他們慢慢來，我可以等一下時間的，沒關係的。
在這樣神聖的日子，許多人都面帶微笑與欣喜心前來。
我的竹籃和蛋糕盒，都是方型且盒子狀，可以疊起來擺放。
在這樣隆重日子，神明不會跟信徒、香客計較東西擺放是否有端正。
結緣品
第一次注意廟裡的活動情況，以前總是只有拜拜，沒有留意其他。
廟宇中間，出家師父們帶領信眾唱誦佛經。
正想往那裏靠近，突然聽到物品撒落的聲音，我趕緊前往協助撿拾。
以為是某信眾的供品，撿起來後才知道是中間師父們丟出來要送給有緣粉的信眾們的糖果。
我很幸運，撿到了兩顆。
在我不懂的情況下，不同的糖果繼續發送。
站在第一線的一位姐姐，突然轉身，將她手指攤開說，歡迎結緣，分享她掌中的糖果。
我拿了她的糖果，並用我撿到的另一種，送給這位姐姐，祝福她。
糖果繼續分送著。
我覺我有拿到兩種，已是非常幸運的事情，不須每一種都要拿到，更不須要拿到很多。
有好多人受到觀世音菩薩的協助，發送著還願品，跟大眾結善緣。
還有大悲咒水，經過觀世音菩薩的加持，回家加入飲用水，從身體內部，每一細胞都有著佛經的保護。
祈禱位
觀音菩薩聖誕日，廟宇的委員會請了師父前來唱誦佛經。
關於佛經，對我們來說很有距離，裡頭全是看不懂的梵文意思。
就如同基督教有讀聖經班，佛經也有讀經班，讓想要了解的人有機會可以研讀。
外圍發放著糖果餅乾，中間的唱誦佛經持續著，我站在一旁跟著頂禮，膜拜。
隨著師父唱誦的聲調，我的身體很輕鬆得輕微舞動。
那是讓我很沉浸的音律。
看到一位長輩也想頂禮膜拜，我側了身，讓她可以更為靠近一些。
我想，這也是一種志同道合吧。
在這樣近的距離，我與觀世音菩薩金身在同一個小空間裡，隨著唱誦聲音的流淌，我的心思只有佛經，只有當下。我的心中，溫柔燦燦。
回家 ~ 溫暖的溫柔
儀式告一段落。
觀世音菩薩的金身需要回到大殿之中。
這是第一次看到竹林山觀音寺觀世音菩薩的金身。
小小的，黑黑的，應是被長年鼎盛香火燻的。
原本想拿起手機拍攝或錄影。
在發現菩薩金身應該會經過身邊時，我一心只想好好看看菩薩，只想感受當下。
菩薩金身被人抱著朝我邊前進，我用右手跟觀音菩薩金身打招呼，輕聲對她說，『觀音菩薩，生日快樂。』
在菩薩金身從我眼前經過時，我瞬間熱淚盈眶，站在原地久久無法移身。
像是被光溫暖包裹著，擁抱著。
我像是被乾媽抱在懷中，她溫柔的撫慰我。
我在心中對觀世音菩薩說，我回來了。乾媽。
咖啡味
竹林寺大門旁的停車場邊邊開了一家小小咖啡廳。
一位年輕男孩的創業，裡面位置不多，也沒有洗手間。
我喜歡這地方的可愛，和老闆的親切。
詢問了併桌，獲得對方親和的回應。
老闆還記得我，我們聊了農曆春節他與廟宇如此近的距離，他的所見，所聞，所感，所想。
有時我們都需要像是朋友，可互相聊聊的人。
不熟悉但認識，這樣的淡淡，很好。
後記
離開了廟宇，將蛋糕分享給哥哥嫂嫂，分享給社區守衛和打掃大姊。
吃觀世音菩薩加持過的蛋糕，大家都平安，都沾染到溫暖的光。
回到自己的家中，想將慶生寫下紀錄，也想知道當觀世音菩薩經過我身旁時，她跟我說了什麼，讓我的高靈感動到情緒無法控制，即使過了一些時間，跟哥哥分享時，依然是想流淚，依然馬上紅眼眶。
塔羅抽到了『皇后Empress』。
我又哭了。
是媽媽。
張開雙手，等著我撲上前，抱著我。
是媽媽。
滋養孕育，等著我撲上前，餵飽我。
是媽媽。
溫暖守候，等著我撲上前，撫慰我。
是媽媽。
安慰支持，等著我撲上前，誇獎我。
是媽媽。
林口竹林山觀音寺：
紅龜粿：
https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-tw/%E7%B4%85%E9%BE%9C%E7%B2%BF
壽桃：
https://www.klintainan.com/Goods/92
Alyson’s 3/31 Tarot: Empress
Let my eyes brim with tears,
let warm strength fill my chest,
Let me kneel in humility,
let me be serene, peaceful, and healthy,
Burning incense, looking up, quieting my mind, gazing,
Calling out to you, not daring to shout,
You remain silent, you don't respond,
With lowered brows, seemingly overlooking the mortal world, perhaps seeing people's past lives and present,
As long as you are there, that's my home, the place I belong.
Happy Birthday! Guanyin Bodhisattva
On the birthday of Guanyin Bodhisattva, I went to the Guanyin Temple in Linkou Zhulin Mountain to celebrate her birthday and offer my congratulations.
Godmother ~ I Am a Child of the Deities
When I was young, I envied my brothers for having godmothers while I didn't. I once asked my mother why.
My parents said it was because I used to cry a lot and argue with my younger brother, and no adults liked me or wanted to be my godparents.
I cried myself to sleep at night.
I thought I was great!
I was too young to remember whether it was crying or being cuddled to sleep by my mother because I cried too much.
I envied today's children, whose parents record their growth in cameras, computers, and videos.
Finally, Guanyin Bodhisattva became my godmother. In our culture, many children who are destined to have connections with deities recognize them as godparents.
We are children of the deities.
Celebration
That day, I woke up half an hour later than I originally planned.
In the past, the sleep of elders and friends decreased with age, but I was different.
As I grew older, I slept longer.
Without enough sleep, I couldn't stay awake, and my head would ache.
So even if my consciousness was somewhat awake, if I couldn't open my eyes or my brain couldn't function, I would continue to indulge in sleep.
I prepared fruits and arranged them in a beautiful bamboo basket to take them into the temple and place them directly on the altar when the time came.
I remember that on such days, my mother would buy traditional Chinese pastries like red turtle cakes or longevity peaches to celebrate the deities' birthdays. Since I loved cakes, I decided to prepare a cake.
Intuition
Waking up late meant that everything for the day would be delayed.
While lying in bed, a fleeting thought crossed my mind, so brief that I couldn't grasp the message.
It wasn't until I entered the cake shop and heard the shopkeeper telling the customer in front of me that the small cakes were sold out that the morning's missed message instantly connected in my mind, vividly matching the scene happening before me.
My intuition was slowly returning, which moved me after my absent-mindedness for six or seven hundred days.
It was the blessing of Guanyin Bodhisattva and the other deities.
Prayer and Blessing
I took six incense sticks.
Inside the temple's right side door was an incense table.
I raised the lit incense and walked out from the right side door.
I walked to the sky furnace, paid respects, recited prayers, and bowed three times.
Then, I inserted three incense sticks into the incense burner directly in front of the temple door.
I stepped back, paid respects, and bowed three times.
I entered the temple from the left side door.
Standing in the center row facing the deity's statue in front, I paid respects, recited prayers, and bowed three times.
Then, I inserted the remaining three incense sticks into the incense burner in front.
I stepped back, clasped my hands together, and bowed three times.
Since ten years ago, when I came to the temple, except for three special occasions, I had no requests during my visits.
The first time was to seek guidance on job choices.
The second time was when my father was hospitalized and critically ill.
The third time was to ask for care for my grandparents.
Today's purpose was to celebrate, of course, to wish for a happy birthday and the well-being of the country.
Small Fortunes, Small Blessings
Parking Space
As my car approached the temple's parking lot, there was traffic ahead.
I turned right, planning to go around and park in the parking spaces on the street behind.
After making a circle, I noticed that the intersection where there was traffic before was now clear.
So, I decided to try my luck and see if there was a closer parking space.
After passing the traffic light, there was immediately a parking space on the right side, and it was the last one.
So, I easily and smoothly parked my car.
Offerings
Entering the temple, there were many people, and the offering tables were full.
I wondered where to find space to place the fruits and cake.
I walked to the second row of tables on the side of the White Tiger and happened to see worshippers collecting their offerings.
Super lucky!
I asked them to take their time as I could wait.
On such a sacred day, many people came with smiles and joy.
My bamboo basket and cake box were both square and box-shaped, so they could be stacked and placed.
On such an important day, the deities wouldn't mind how neatly offerings were placed by the worshippers and visitors.
Bonds
It was the first time I paid attention to the activities in the temple.
Before, I only prayed without paying attention to anything else.
In the middle of the temple, the ordained masters led the worshippers in chanting sutras.
Just as I was about to approach them, I suddenly heard the sound of items being scattered.
I hurried over to help pick them up, thinking they were offerings from worshippers.
Only after picking them up did I realize they were candies thrown by the masters in the middle to be given to worshippers who were destined to receive them.
I was very lucky to pick up two.
Without understanding why, different candies continued to be distributed.
A sister standing in the front suddenly turned around, opened her hand, and welcomed me to share the candies in her palm.
I took her candy and gave her the other one I picked up, wishing her well.
The candies continued to be distributed.
I felt lucky to have picked up two kinds, which was already a very fortunate thing.
There was no need to have every kind or to have many.
Many people received help from Guanyin Bodhisattva, offering their gratitude and forming good karma with others.
There was also the water blessed with the Great Compassion Mantra, which, when consumed at home, protected every cell of the body with the sutras.
Prayer Space
On the birthday of Guanyin Bodhisattva, the temple committee invited masters to chant sutras.
The sutras were distant to us, filled with Sanskrit meanings we couldn't understand.
Just as Christianity has Bible study classes, there are also sutra study classes for those who wish to understand.
Candies and cookies were distributed on the periphery, while the chanting of sutras continued in the middle.
I stood aside, paying respects and worshiping along.
With the tones of the master's chanting, my body relaxed slightly, swaying gently.
It was a melody that immersed me deeply.
Seeing an elder wanting to pay respects, I stepped aside to let her get closer.
I thought, this is also a kind of mutual understanding.
At such a close distance, I and the golden statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva were in the same small space.
Flowing with the chanting, my mind was filled only with the sutras, only with the present moment.
My heart was warm and radiant.
Going Home ~ Warm Gentleness
The ceremony came to a close.
The golden statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva needed to return to the main hall.
It was the first time I had seen the golden statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva at the Zhulin Mountain Guanyin Temple.
It was small and dark, likely imbued with the incense smoke of many years.
I had initially thought of taking out my phone to capture or record it.
However, when I realized that the golden statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva would pass by me, I focused solely on observing her, just wanting to feel the present moment.
As the golden statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva was carried towards me, I greeted her with my right hand and softly said, "Guanyin Bodhisattva, happy birthday."
As the golden statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva passed by me, tears welled up in my eyes instantly, and I stood there unable to move for a long time.
It felt like being enveloped in warm light, embraced.
It was as if I were being hugged by my godmother, her gentle comfort soothing me. In my heart, I said to Guanyin Bodhisattva, "I'm back, godmother."
Coffee Flavor
Next to the parking lot by the gate of the Zhulin Temple, there was a small coffee shop.
It was started by a young man, with limited seating and no restroom.
I liked the quaintness of this place and the friendliness of the owner.
I asked to share a table and received a friendly response.
The owner remembered me, and we talked about the proximity of the Lunar New Year to the temple, sharing perspectives and experiences. Sometimes, we all need someone to chat with, even if we're not familiar but acquainted.
Such light connections are nice.
Afterthought
Leaving the temple, I shared the cake with my brother, sister-in-law, community guards, and the cleaning lady.
Eating the cake blessed by Guanyin Bodhisattva, everyone was safe and bathed in warm light.
Back at home, I wanted to write down the celebration and also find out what Guanyin Bodhisattva said to me as she passed by, which moved me to uncontrollable emotions.
Even after some time had passed, I still felt like crying when I shared it with my brother, with tears in my eyes.
I drew the Tarot card "Empress" again. And I cried.
It was my mother.
With open arms, waiting for me to rush into them, embracing me.
It was my mother.
Nurturing and feeding me, waiting for me to come to her.
It was my mother.
Warmly waiting, ready to comfort me when I rush to her.
It was my mother.
Offering solace and support, waiting for me to approach, ready to praise me.
It was my mother.
Zhulin Mountain Guanyin Temple:
Red Turtle Cakes:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_tortoise_cake
Longevity Peaches:
https://www.klintainan.com/Goods/92
