Binhai Historical Narrative: Beihai Folk-custom Sea Sacrifice Activity Inherited for One Thousand Years

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2018-03-23

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China's folk religion is in possession of retaining numerous ancient gods as well as specificity of fusing Buddhism, Taoism and primitive belief. According to records, since First Emperor of Qin carried out east tour for sea sacrifice, sea sacrifice activity in Weifang Binhai Economy and Technology Development Zone has lasted for more than 2,000 years.

In Yuan dynasty, with the development of fishery and salt industries, people's sacrificial activity reaches the peak and random scattered sacrifice couldn't meet people's spiritual anticipation. The situation at that time is as follows: Natural materials can be used at any time, while there is no place for earnestly hoping divine protection. Although gods can provide protection when natural disaster happens, there is no place for spraying to gods for eliminating the evil curse. In case of wanting to pray to gods for blessing on the 1sth day and the 15th day of the first lunar month every year, there is no place for praying.

To facilitate praying, in 1329, Dayuan Country Shandong Donglu salt commissioner-GU dichang started to construct Baoen Temple near the garrison on current Yangzi Street. Yuan dynasty GU dichang Baoen Temple sacrificial culture taking Buddhist ceremony as the principal thing started to be formed, becoming key component of ancient sea sacrifice activity happening along the coast of Weifang.

For nearly one thousand years, GU Dichang Baoen Temple sacrificial culture has been continuously inherited. On the Spring Festival holidays-the fifteenth day of the first month of lunar year and the sixteenth day of the first month of lunar year, Binhai residents carry out sea sacrifice activity at Laohekou dam and fishing harbor. On the sixteenth day of the first month of lunar year of 2015, the masses from Weifang Binhai Economy and Technology Development Zone voluntarily organize the first Binhai folklife sea sacrifice festival activity (later changed to Weifang Beihai Folk-custom Sea Sacrifice Festival) for the sake of praying for coastal people, praying for Buddha's light shining, universal peace, people's happiness and Binhai development. Appeal people to care for ecology and love the ocean by performance. Further promote fusion of regional culture and tourist industry, enrich Binhai marine culture scene and increase coastal humanistic connotations.

On the date when sea sacrifice festival commences, joyful sea coast scenic spot in Binhai Economy and Technology Development Zone, Weifang is boisterous due to the beating of gongs and drums resounded to the skies. Folk-custom sea sacrifice cultural festival inherits Baoen Temple traditional sacrifice way, only sets blessing, artist program other than fire sacrifice, and initiates purification of ecological environment and protection of marine organism.

Folk-custom sea sacrifice activity mainly relies on worshiping Buddha, Sea Goddess-Mazu and Sea God-Dragon King, and covers master entering, reading eulogy, blessing and chanting, watering for purification, transgression, folk song and dance, etc.

Funeral oration of Weifang Beihai Folk-custom Sea Sacrifice Festival: Broad ocean and huge spindrift. Ancient fishery and salt town with a long history. Charming Binhai with great charm. Ancestors living on fishing and going through all the vicissitudes of life. Asylum by God and Buddha bringing glory. Rich products and people living a happy life for one thousand years. Thanking for My Merciful Buddha, Sea God blessing everything goes well, grand gathering brining much joy. Sincerely praying for: Buddha's light shining and universal peace; People's happiness as well as glory and good luck!

Weifang Binhai fishery and salt industries are advanced and marine culture is of long history. Local residents voluntarily come to joyful sea tourist attraction to hold traditional sea sacrifice folklore cultural festival, which not only shows improvement of local people's maritime sense, but also will add new connotation to oceanic tourism. Based on First Emperor of Qin's east tour for sea sacrifice, Li Shimin's sea sacrifice at Tangtouying, Yuan dynasty GU dichang Baoen Temple sacrificial culture and other historical allusions, it can be known that ancient sea sacrifice activities along the coast of Weifang were very solemn. People born and growing up in Binhai pay special attention to the folk-custom sea sacrifice activity. As the saying goes, what you get depends on what you do. The sea nourishes generations of descendants in Binhai, so citizens hope that people's sense of loving the ocean, cherishing the ocean and protecting the ocean can be aroused by this new environmental sacrifice.

How a city treats its folk culture pertains to cultural passion as well as state and pattern of the whole city! At the time of revering nature, insist on people first as well as scientific and civilized way, and then the activity can infect and move people Holding of Weifang Beihai folk-custom sea sacrifice festival and environmental sacrifice way are welcome by people, and such festival not only attracts more tourists, but also fully carries forward excellent culture as well as makes folk activity become one beautiful visiting card of Weifang inheriting and developing marine culture.

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Binhai Historical Narrative: Beihai Folk-custom Sea Sacrifice Activity Inherited for One Thousand Years