The Wishmaster's House

by Gary Orona

Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin

Right in the heart of Kowloon is a complex housing a temple, halls dedicated to gods, and a garden with a wishing well.  This temple preaches three traditional religions - Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism.

This Temple is dedicated to the famous monk Wong Tai Sin (AD 328) who became a deity in his later life.  In 1915, a sacred portrait of Wong Tai Sin was brought to Hongkong by a Taoist priest, Liang Ren-An. So many petitions and wishes have been granted through prayers to this deity that eventually, a magnificent temple was built in his honor, The Sik Sik Wong Tai Sin Temple.

Many people come to this temple to worship and offer thanksgiving to the deities as well as the gods of their choosing. But most of all, many of them come to ask to grant their wishes - be it good health, fortune, lovelife, or long life.

As the well in the complex's garden says, "every wish can come true".  Wong Tai Sin, the deity, has become the Wishmaster.

So, if you come to Hongkong and visit the Wishmaster's House, be careful what you wish for.