It's very much the rainy season here in Kuching now.

The nights are quite cool, and when you're out, you need to always keep a wary eye on the heavens.

But there are lots of times when it's not raining, and in any case this season has a beauty all of its own.





Many of our favourite paths are slightly slimy these days, and you need to be a bit more vigilant with the insect repellent. Still, it doesn't stop us getting out and about.






Since returning from the Philippines we've also taken a look inside our local Moral Uplifting Society temple. This organization, like many manifestations of Chinese spirituality, has an interesting story. According to Kazuo Yoshihara, it came into being in the Chaozhou area of Guangdong in 1939, as a reaction to the Sino-Japanese war, and eventually spread to Hong Kong, Thailand, and the Malay region. Its Chinese name is Dejiao, with "de" meaning moral and "jiao" education.

The movement originally drew on mediums to relay messages from the deities (the practice of fu ji, or spirit-writing), but not all congregations have continued this tradition. All, however, emphasize generosity to the poor, and a syncretic drawing together of Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, and Islam, in the belief that all spiritual teachings are essentially one.

"The fundamental teachings," Yoshihara goes on to explain, "are to practice the ten virtues (filial piety, loyalty, obedience, righteousness, propriety, faith, wisdom, unselfishness, sensibility to shame, and benevolence), follow the divine messages given by the various deities worshiped in Dejiao, and keep the regulations and volunteer to assist in the activities of the organization."

As Bernard Formoso writes, the movement "is a fascinating example of how people may respond to chaotic conditions or ideological threats by combining local traditions to restore what they believe to be the core values of Chinese civilization".

One day I hope to find out more.



POSTSCRIPT 7 January

I knew we were missing something...

After looking at this temple, we visited Shuixing Gong in Bau and Ah Ma Hu just down the road. And, one day, as we walked past the Moral Uplifting Society again, I thought, yes, we've missed the main bit, which -- like those other temples -- is upstairs...

(I know... This does not show our cultural knowledge or observational skills in a good light...)

But anyway, here's the really interesting bit of the temple, with the leaders of five faiths duly honoured: