Deities and Faith
Can a deity's time of descent be arranged or guaranteed beforehand?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
It cannot be guaranteed in advance. Even as a medium, I sometimes do not know when a deity will arrive or what they will do. During petitions and rites, I may sense an impending arrival, but the actual work often becomes clear only after arrival.
Before one first-day New Year ceremony, several recordings left me feeling something might happen without knowing when. I even wondered about New Year's Eve. When the ceremony was about to begin, Master Ji Gong suddenly arrived and led everyone in lamps and blessings, bringing much joy. I had not scheduled his exact time or activities.
Some friends come simply to worship and stroll, without a particular request, and feel surprised by a divine response. Sincere closeness and everyday connection are precious to me, but not everyone can specify receiving the same thing. Descent is not guaranteed every New Year's Day, nor are wealth and treasures guaranteed by attendance.
At Qingyun Temple, I once expected everyone to take position, use the purification burner, and then invite the deity. Instead, Lord Bao's energy arrived intensely as soon as my companions and I stood in place, before the expected preparation was complete. Its speed surprised me too.
Looking back, perhaps the deity had urgent matters, or my sensitivity was greater then. These are retrospective thoughts; the cause remained unclear. Religious experience can exceed expectations, but this cannot establish one fixed sequence for every occasion.