Deities and Faith
Are the Great Sage and Erlang Shen enemies in faith because they fight in fiction?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
Fictional battles cannot establish continued divine hostility. In my understanding, deities are no longer defined by rivalry and divisions. Stories have plots; divine duties deserve attention too.
Introducing Hualien's Sheng'an Temple, I described the Great Sage guarding the South Heavenly Gate and Erlang the North. They seem comparable generals with separate roles. We enshrine both as protectors before the Jade Emperor, expressing our understanding.
Their joint worship need not contradict Journey to the West's battles. For those learning Fu Mo, their protective roles and assistance to beings deserve greater attention.