“叩！” 木制鸾轿一角在撒满面粉的桌案上划出字迹。满面通红的关帝神像腰系红布坐在鸾轿上，由正副鸾手二人肩负，关帝爷降驾后会晃动鸾轿以传达神谕。每逢星期二和星期五晚上8点，信众聚集在仁嘉隆（Jenjarom）新村巷弄住宅之间的铜锣庙进行扶鸾问事。
铜锣庙供奉着民间守护神关帝爷，本名关羽，字云长，是三国时代蜀汉的一名将军。他的忠勇事迹被记录在《三国志》史书里，随着《三国演义》小说广泛流传。桃园三结义后，关帝即使被曹操俘虏却始终拥护刘备，因此成为高尚情操的楷模。他的良好品德备受推崇，死后被奉成为民间神祇，经历代君王屡次褒封晋升帝位。
1910年代中国处于动荡，先贤下南洋谋生之际，携带祖籍中国福建安溪八社铜锣庙的香火以求平安，落脚仁嘉隆后便安放在家中膜拜。由于当时资源匮乏，一旦遇到疑难杂症或染病，只能祈求神明保佑度过难关。关帝爷神威显赫，济世解惑、开方治病无不灵验，吸引周遭村民前来祈福问事。1950-60年代，仁嘉隆一带未有完善的医疗设施，关帝爷除了会开出药方，还乘鸾轿出巡，在本地村内寻找草药施赠予生病的信众。
扶鸾问事仪式至今百余年历史，在中国因实行破除鬼神迷信而瓦解，但迁徙海外的华人仍得以延续。参与扶鸾问事没有太多禁忌，只需避免喧哗吵闹、问及捞偏门项目。最重要的是虔诚，对关帝爷存崇敬之心。秉持着发挥关帝爷助人为乐的精神，问事时许多信众自发前来义务帮忙，也培养出一代又一代的鸾手。因问事有婉拒红包的不成文规矩，受到庇佑的信众为答谢神恩集资买地建庙供奉，仁嘉隆的铜锣庙在1986年落成之后香火越来越鼎盛。
现任铜锣庙理事会主席陈清专和许多当地村民一样，家族先辈信奉关帝爷，一家五代人都参与扶鸾。他在耳濡目染下也跟着膜拜，并深入了解信仰背后的故事及带来的启示：为人处世谨记忠义仁勇的原则，对父母孝悌、对配偶忠诚、对兄弟朋友讲信义。偶然的机缘使他欣然接下主席一职，遵从关帝爷的安排协助仁嘉隆居民。每逢神诞庆典，铜锣庙不忘回馈社会，派送钱粮襄助弱势团体。
关帝崇拜虽是一门带有封建色彩的民间信仰，但对社会带来正面影响，弘扬优秀传统文化、提倡良好道德修养。即使时代变迁，忠义仁勇依然构成普世价值观，千百年来长盛不衰。仁嘉隆的铜锣庙汇聚了一班无私奉献的信众，继续传承和发扬关帝精神。
“Knock!” On the table dusted with flour, a few strokes are written by a tip of the wooden sedan chair. A red cloth is tied around the waist of the red-faced Guān Dì, who sits on the sedan chair carried by two bearers. When Guān Dì manifests, the sedan chair sways to convey messages from the deity. On Tuesdays and Fridays at 8P.M., devotees gather at Tung Loh Temple nestled in the village of Jenjarom for Guān Dì consultation sessions.
Tung Loh Temple worships Guān Dì, protector of the common folk. Originally named Guān Yǔ, courtesy name Yúncháng, he was a military general serving under Eastern Han in the Three Kingdoms. His heroic deeds were documented in the classical book, The Records of the Three Kingdoms, and became widespread with the popular fiction The Romance of the Three Kingdoms. After the Peach Garden Oath, despite being captured by Cáo Cāo, he remained loyal to Liú Bèi, therefore he became a virtuous role model. The common folk immortalized him in celebration of his good virtues, and various posthumous titles were conferred to him till the Dì (Emperor) level.
In the 1910s, China was in the midst of political instability, as forerunners sailed southwards to seek a better living, incense ashes from Tung Loh Temple in Anxi County were carried for protection. Upon settling in Jenjarom, the Guān Dì faith was worshipped at home. Due to resources being scarce, when facing problems or sickness, people could only pray to deities for blessings to overcome difficulties. With his supreme powers, Guān Dì offers effective solutions and treatments, attracting neighbouring villagers to come to pray and seek consultation. In the 1950-60s, Jenjarom did not have medical facilities, Guān Dì would give prescriptions and went around in a wooden sedan chair to find herbs in the vicinity for ill devotees.
Consulting Guān Dì via wooden sedan chair spanned over a century in history, although the practice has been abolished in China, the Chinese who migrated overseas kept it running. There are barely any prohibitions regarding Guān Dì consultation, only refrain from noisy behaviour or participating in illegal activities. The most crucial aspect is to show sincerity and respect towards Guān Dì. Upholding Guān Dì’s mentality of helping others, many devotees attend consultation sessions as volunteers, as well as train up generations of sedan bearers. Due to the unspoken rule of rejecting monetary gifts, devotees who received blessings and would like to show their gratitude raised funds to acquire land to build a temple for Guān Dì. Tung Loh Temple in Jenjarom was established in 1986 and has been flourishing since.
Like most local villagers, the current temple committee chairman, Mr Tan Chin Chuan, comes from a family of fervent Guān Dì devotees, of which five generations are sedan bearers. Under social influence, he also engaged in worshipping Guān Dì, thus learning the story behind the faith as well as inspirations: Uphold good moral principles, be filial to parents, be loyal to spouse, siblings, and friends. Incidentally he accepted the post of committee chairman, following Guān Dì’s will to help the Jenjarom community. During festive celebrations, Tung Loh Temple gives back to the society by donating foods and goods to the needy.
The worship of Guān Dì may had its roots in feudalism, however it makes a positive impact on society, promoting valuable traditional culture as well as encouraging moral behaviour. Even though times change, loyalty and bravery are still generally appreciated. With devotees dedicated in spreading the Guān Dì mentality, Tung Loh Temple in Jenjarom thrives on.
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文 Text/ 潘慧雯 Pua Hui Wen
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