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Post by douglaslam on Jun 22, 2009 7:35:09 GMT -5
www.chinatownology.com/kong_chow_temple.htmlCould any member in San Francisco verify or collaborate on this story concerning Mrs. Harry Truman and the Chinese temple? It would take a very courageous woman and a celebrity at that, to be seen in a Chinese temple, much less consulting a Chinese Deity for guidance. And this was back in 1948! Ahgin, as you are familiar with SFO, perhaps, you can throw some light on my query. Douglas
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Post by Ah Gin on Jun 22, 2009 15:33:44 GMT -5
Douglas, Many thanks for waking up this little bear from his Winter sleep. Been a while since I posted anything worthwhile to read, since returning to the Southern hemisphere. Gee, it's cold here (sure, not as cold as places like Vancouver, Boston, NY in Winter) -- still this old fellow feels the cold. Enough long windiness. I am familiar with the Kong Chow Temple, but have not actually gone in to consult the gods. It is a well known landmark in Chinatown, few blocks away from our own Family Association. "Mrs. Truman held a container with prediction sticks and shook them until one of the sticks fell on the ground. This stick was exchanged for a paper slip with a story offering clues to her answer." The story about Mrs T consulting the Gods at the temple would not surprise me at all. Mr. T must have very good political advisers to sense the movement of the winds, to visit a Chinese temple in Chinatown itself. Good on her. I can't verify the story. I am sure it must be true. Old faithful Wiki has a good summary of what that "prediction sticks" are all about: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kau_cimAs to women going to temples: probably you are right that it took a brave lady in those days (Western lady) to be seen in a Chinese temple. As a young grasshopper in the jungle of Malaya, my mother took me to visit a number of Chinese temples (dedicated to different gods) at various occasions (e.g. New Year eve, Birthdays of the Gods & Goddess, in search of answers to questions and directions in going forward). My father seldom came along -- think it was considered to be a motherly duty (to go to the temples). So it seems like Mrs. T also had that inclination -- of attending to praying in temples. This and other temples in Chinatown are open to the public for prayers, and tourists also. The one at Waverly Place (not far from your Clan Association) is also very well known -- Tin How Temple. The street name in Chinese is named after the temple. But that is another story. (see the following web site) travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/places-of-a-lifetime/sanfrancisco-walking-tour-1.htmlTill the next time, regards, Ah Gin PS: I have not forgotten re: Jpeg of a generation name list as an example seen in our Zupu. I am still clearing the jungle otherwise known as my garden and many inches of papers to clear from the office as well. |
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Post by Henry on Jun 22, 2009 20:38:16 GMT -5
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Post by douglaslam on Jun 23, 2009 2:10:41 GMT -5
Ahgin and Henry,
I still can't believe Mrs. Truman made the trip to Chinatown just to visit a temple. It would have been scandalous and outrageous for the WASP ( Catholic, perhaps) First Lady from conservative Bible belt to seek guidance from a Chinese idol. I think she was inspecting Chinatown, and dropped by the Temple for a look see. The caretaker in the Temple at his own behest, asked Guan Gong on Mrs. Truman's behalf for her husband's electoral fortune.
Of course, we all know Truman won against all the opinion polls' prediction of a Thomas Dewey victory. The newspapers were caught flatfooted, many had to pull the Dewey victory story from the press.
It seems Guan Gong knew better.
Douglas
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