Up to now, there are tens of thousands of Mazu Tempel in 45 countries and regions around the world, with more than 300 million followers. In 1980s, relevant UN agencies awarded Mazu the title of "Goddess of Peace", which was later included in the intangible cultural heritage of mankind by the UN and became the first world heritage in China. There has always been a saying that Mazu was born in Putian and sealed in Quanzhou. What is this?
Mazu, formerly known as Mazu, was born in Meizhou Island in Putian in the Song and Yuan Dynasties. She lives in a prosperous time, and there are thriving scenes everywhere. Although the navigation technology at that time was in the forefront of the world, the fishermen's enthusiasm for the gods never waned. Fishermen and businessmen will pray for Poseidon's help once they are in danger on their way to sea.
It is said that Mazu has seen a lot since childhood and wandered around. Her first appearance was at the age of 16. One day, my father and brother went fishing at sea, while Mazu and my mother were weaving at home, waiting for them to come back. In the afternoon, the weather suddenly changed. She was very worried about the safety of her father and brother, so she prayed to God to bless them. In a trance, Mazu saw the wind and waves on the sea, a small boat looming, overturned by the waves, and two people on board fell into the sea. When she looked intently, she found that the two men were her father and her brother. She immediately reached out and grabbed her father, bit her brother's clothes with her teeth and swam to the shore together. When the mother saw her daughter's face was not very good, she thought Mazu was ill and immediately called her.
Mazu unconsciously unbuttoned her brother's clothes in response to her mother. The first thing he said when he woke up was: "My father came back and my brother fell into the sea and drowned." As a result, my father returned safely and my brother was buried in the sea. What happened to my father is exactly the same as what Mazu saw. For a time, Mazu became famous on the island. Whenever there is a shipwreck, the islanders will go to her for help and pray that she is their family. Later, she slept longer and longer, without eating or drinking. One day, Mazu fell asleep while saving people. He is only 27 years old.
In order to thank Mazu, fishermen built a Mazu Tempel on the island to worship her. Her deeds spread to the Northern Song Dynasty court. When a imperial fleet went to sea, it was shipwrecked. The crew immediately prayed for Mazu's blessing, but it really escaped. After returning home, Song Huizong summoned messengers to ask about the specific situation. The messenger explained the story and suggested that he should seal Mazu.
At that time, Meizhou Island was under the jurisdiction of Quanzhou Prefecture, with developed sea, many fishermen and belief in Mazu. The court pushed the boat forward and named her Mrs. Hui Ling. So people say that Mazu was born in Putian and sealed in Quanzhou. The first Mazu Tempel in Quanzhou, built around 1 196, is called Shunji Temple, which means to be protected from the wind.