Bagan Serai: ‘Tua Pek Kong’ Temple
‘Tua Pek Kong’ (Da4 Po2 Kong1) means Big Grand Uncle.
Is anyone kind enough to translate this term further for me , please? 
This is one of the oldest Taoism temple in Bagan Serai.
It was built back in 1893. I am not sure about the history– who built it? How did it all happen? etc etc.
I know it was an old, unattractive temple. Till back in 1990s, those local Chinese decided to refurbish the temple before celebrating 100 years anniversary in 1993.
I visited this temple since I was a little girl and almost every Chinese New Years. The temple is most crowded during 12am at CNY. This is the place where most Bagan Serai Chinese gather, especially for the young folks. *yer know, that kepoh business -ppl checking out ppl*
I use to like the crowd. I met old friends, I saw some familiar faces. But not anymore. I strongly dislike the smoke. Everybloodysingletime I walk out the temple, my tears wash all over my face. Plus, I haven’t got much friends left that I can really check ‘em out. Cannot kepoh anymore
I can’t relate myself much with Tua Pek Kong. I wasn’t enjoy going to the temple. But I love my parents company. I know I followed mum, dad to the temple. I helped them to carry all sort of things. We chatted. We prayed. We walked around the block, admiring the paintings, looking at the donation list. We spotted our late grandfather’s name! *yay* It was more like a kiddo game back then.
My mum told me I ‘was’ Big Grand Uncle’s god daughter. FULAMAK!
You know, the Chinese Taoism thingy: Those Taoism Chinese parents who think they cannot discipline their son/daughter, due to some inner evil spirit. Therefore, they decided to ‘K’ their children to the so-called god. Yep, I was one of them.
OI! I was NOT that bad, ok? I was and I am a good girl.
Alas. I don’t care. Really. This is Taoism. I am a Buddhist. I respect what they believe in. I don’t mind what they believe in either. I was one of Big Grand Uncle’s god daughther, so what? It’s not like I have to cut a piece of my heart out for him, right? 
I respect my parents too. At the end of the day, a Buddhist shouldn’t stir up shyte in a family regardless what religion(s) they believe in.
Xiang1 Lu2
From the art and paintings, yer know what we Chinese like the best — happy family, money, world peace (maybe, that’s why most of the Chinese back home don’t get involved in politic) and ..still MONEY!!! =)
I am not a Taoism, but I love the temple as much as I love my hometown. This is the place where I grew up, and all the memories were coming from…
Let set the emo, sentimental moi aside.
I shall show you some things that Taoisms use for prayers, ok?
These are the bamboo cups filled with some thinly shaved bamboo sticks that engraved with some Chinese wordings.
Upon prayer, Taoism shakes the bamboo cup gently, allowing ONE bamboo stick to fall out.
This fallen out bamboo stick would indicate or tell you about your life.
Cool??
Most of the time, you will get good ones — happy family, good relationship, good finance etc etc.
Tua Pek Kong seldom say nasty things. The worst thing is he advice you to look out for bad thing(s)/accident.
Very much like Chinese. Cool??
These are cool stuffs! Kidney-shaped tossing bean(?) Anyhoo.. it acts like a coin– tail, head. Yes, no. They come in pairs.
My grandma told me, it depends what you asking from Tua Pek Kong, if both sides facing the same, means NO.
If they facing differently, one side up, one side down. Ah! Good sign. This means you can go ahead with what are you asking for.
These are my favourite door paintings.
Mum told me they are the ’security guides’ for the temple. Their fear looking scare devil spirits off.
Shu4 jing4 (silent)
Hui2 Bi3 (please avoid/turn around).
When bad things happend, the cop/judge asked people to turn around, or go home so they won’t get to see what was going on.
Beside gods, Chinese pray to our ancestors. The four Chinese characters should be read from right to left: Tian1 Di4 Fu4 Mu3. (Sky Earth Father Mother)
Long1 Xiang1 (Dragon joss-stick).
Pity. Chinese wants to burn down such a beautiful piece of art.
I hope you all like this little trip of Bagan Serai Tua Pek Kong.
For ex-Bagan Seraians.. Hello! again.
Pretty pictures, all… I’ve never been seeped in traditional chinese gods and ceremonies, although when I was younger I used to follow my cousins to their temple (just for fun).. I’m like a tourist.
I must called you sister because i m ‘k’ to tua pek kong also
nice sharing, friend
haha i was K to the Laughing God - Xiao Huo ;p
Apparently i’m a BIG cry baby when i’m young…0.0
u didn’t ask for 4D kah?
LB: Thanks! I think plenty of my friends are abit like you. But at the end of the day, those Chinesey art is part of our life, culture. Don’t you rekcon?
old fren: Yo bratha! You also THAT jahat keh?
Lyn: I can’t believe you were a crying baby!! Did gods really change us later on in our life? Hahhaha .
wuching: I don’t gamble thou. Erm..now you asking, I should had asked Tua Pek Kong!!!! Argh! =.=”"”