On October 11, 2024, the American Mazu Temple in Flushing, New York, hosted a grand ceremony commemorating the 1037th anniversary of Mazu’s ascension. This date, which also coincides with the traditional Chinese Chongyang Festival, is sacred to Mazu’s global followers. Amidst rising incense and the sounds of drums, hundreds of Chinese worshippers gathered to pay their respects and offer prayers to Mazu. This grand ceremony not only highlighted profound reverence for Mazu but also underscored the deep influence of Chinese culture abroad.
At the ceremony, Mr. Zhu Rongbin, President of the American Mazu Foundation, led the incense offering, expressing gratitude for Mazu’s blessings of peace. Founding Chairman Huang Shengfa and Chairwoman Huang Mingping followed with offerings of fruit and flowers, symbolizing blessings of harvest and peace. Devotees lined up in groups of three to offer incense and performed the traditional three kneelings and nine kowtows. The solemn and sacred atmosphere connected participants deeply with Mazu’s culture. As Mr. Zhu said, “Mazu is our spiritual guide; wherever we are, she leads us to peace and harmony.”
The ceremony was not only a tribute to Mazu but also a celebration of the millennia-old faith and traditions of the Chinese people. Since its opening in 2015, the American Mazu Temple has hosted biannual spring and autumn ceremonies, drawing numerous worshippers. This year’s event was particularly special, marking the 1037th anniversary of Mazu’s ascension. With the global spread of Mazu culture, the temple has become an emotional and spiritual link for Chinese communities worldwide. In 2009, Mazu worship was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, further demonstrating its immense cultural and religious significance.
At the same time, a grand sea ceremony was held in Meizhou Island in Fujian, China, attracting Mazu devotees and cultural institutions from China, Southeast Asia, and South America. With the ceremonial firing of cannons, 28 fishing boats set sail, symbolizing smooth sailing and national prosperity under Mazu’s protection. Taichung Dajia Jenn Lann Temple’s Chairman, Yan Qingbiao, recalled the 1000th-anniversary celebration and expressed hope for cross-strait cultural exchanges and peaceful development.
At this year’s ceremony, an exciting announcement was made: the second Global Mazu Culture Forum will take place on October 18 at the United Nations Headquarters. This forum not only represents a new opportunity for the promotion of Mazu culture worldwide but also symbolizes the expanding global influence of Mazu worship. Mr. Zhu stated, “The forum will bring positive energy to the world, with Mazu culture acting as a bridge for global peace and cultural exchange.”
Since its consecration in 2015, the Mazu Temple in Flushing (132-15 41st Ave, Flushing, NY 11354) has drawn hundreds of worshippers annually during the spring and autumn festivals, becoming a cultural center for the Chinese community. Mazu culture, a vital part of Chinese heritage, has taken root around the world as Chinese migrants settled abroad. The Flushing temple, enshrining a statue from Mazu’s ancestral temple in Meizhou, China, represents the enduring connection between overseas Chinese and their faith.
This grand ceremony not only commemorated Mazu’s great deeds but also demonstrated the transmission and vitality of Mazu culture on a global scale. Whether at the Flushing Mazu Temple or during the sea ceremony in Meizhou, Mazu culture continues to thrive in the modern era. Followers worldwide will continue to seek harmony, peace, and prosperity under Mazu’s guidance, contributing to the building of harmonious societies.
Mazu, as the goddess of the sea, has become a shared cultural heritage for all humanity. This 1037th anniversary celebration highlighted the universal values of this faith in today’s globalized world. Mazu culture continues to transcend ethnic and geographical boundaries, connecting the hearts of believers worldwide through cultural exchange and unity.
Copyright © World Mazu Culture Alliance. Reported by Lin Bingbin, New York. Please credit the source and author when reposting. Image credits: Nel, Xiao Zhu, Viana, Louis, Jason.
