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Tai Wai is an area in Hong Kong. It is the largest
part of the Sha Tin District. In Tai Wai area, a Chinese Thai temple can be found.
It is called Ku Au Tseng Yuen by Chinese people or Wat Tai Wai by Thai people.
Set back from the road, Ku Au Tseng Yuen temple is just
a short walk east from the Che Kung Temple.
At the centre of the shrine is the handsome Brahma golden god.
He has four faces and eight hands. The first three right hands hold a chakra,
a staff and a pot. The fourth is placed on the chest. The four left hands hold
a sceptre, Hindu scriptures, a conch shell and a string of beads.
Beyond the entrance there are the miscellaneous objects
for worshipping. Wood elephants, Buddha statues, Nang Kwak, Brahma god statues can
be sold / rent.
In this temple, there are many objects from Thailand such as wood elephants,
Thai dancers given as offerings to Lord Brahma.
Devotees offer elephants made of teak wood. The size of wooden
elephants varies according to the extent of devotion shown by the devotee and according to
what he can afford.
There is a four-face Brahma set under a glittering pagoda-like structure.
The God of Wealth is holding a golden ingot. It is often placed at the house
entrance to bring fortune to the occupants.
This magnificent image of the Lord Brahma is called "THAN TAO MAHAPROM"
(ท่านท้าวมหาพรหม).
The Brahma shrine shape in Wat Tai Wai is similar to the Erawan shrine in Bangkok.
It is is consecrated to Lord Brahma, the creator.
This shrine is very sacred to the Thai Buddhists and the deity is known to
have wish-fulling and boon-giving powers.
In Thailand many passengers passing by Erawan Shrine
by bus, skytrain or taxi always greet the Lord Brahma by doing a "WAI" gesture
(ไหว้) with folded hands
to express their reverence and devotion to the deity.
In Thailand, the Lord Brahma images are displayed in many places and are
highly venerated by Buddhists. Brahma is known for his great boon-giving power.
KWAN YIM" or เจ้าแม่กวนอิม is the Goddess of Compassion.
Kwan Yim is much venerated by Thais of Chinese ancestory.
In her right hand is a flask from which issues an endless stream
of compassion and mercy. In her left hand she holds a willow branch, symbol of fertility.
A few นางกวัก or "NANG KWAK" statues can be found in the temple.
The "NANG KWAK" is a spirit supposed to bring money in the household. Its statue
represents a woman in Thai traditional clothes, sitting on her knees with the right
hand up and the hand making the gesture to bring money to herself. Thai people like
to have this statue in their home or their shop.