3. Receiving the Nine Emperors
On the day of receiving (the last day of the eighth lunar month), the temple committee members arrive at the temple early to do the necessary preparations. In 2016 and 2017, the temple had also hired Xin Xin Rong He Chaozhou Opera Singing Troupe (新新荣和潮州戏曲班) to perform during the celebrations of the Nine Emperor Bodhisattva festival. The opera troupe sings daily from 12 noon to 2pm and from 7pm to 10.30pm for a period of 10 days, until the 9th day of the 9th lunar month, the day to send off the Nine Emperor Bodhisattvas.
As evening comes, devotees start streaming into the temple. They proceed to the Dou Mu altar and the front of the Nine Emperors chamber to pray and seek blessings.
Soon after, the lion and dragon dance teams from Shi Cheng Jin Yong Dragon And Lion Dance Centre (狮城劲勇龙狮院) arrive at the temple. A temple committee member uses the dragon whip to clear the way for the entrance of the lions. They proceed to the different altars to pay respects to the deities in the temple. The performance ends with the lion dancers doing a Cai Qing (采青) performance in front of the NIne Emperors chamber.
Mr. Tan holds the dragon staff over the large censer and prays before the contingent leaves for East Coast Park.
Nine Emperor Gods Project 九皇文化计划 