Pictures of Tai Shang Lao Jun - Dao De Tian Zun (道德天尊)

Pictures of Master Zhang Dao Ling (教祖張天師) 2

Taoism Robes (道袍絳衣) 2

The beauty of Taoist Robes.

Yi Xin Li Qing - Nan Dou Jing (南斗經短片二)

Dear All,

Here’s another new video clip created according to Taiwan Taoist High Priest – Master Hong Bai Jian’s CD production.

These sets of Taoist Scripture Chanting CDs have yet to be released in Singapore.

And million thanks to Master Hong and his disciples for giving me the copy-right to help in doing the promotion for their CDs.

If you are interested, after listening to the Chantings, you can send your enquiries or make an order to them at the following email:

daojing_2007@yahoo.com

PS: From what I know, the CDs will only be produced when orders are being confirmed.

Last of all, Good Luck to you and thanks for promoting of our Culture of Taoism.

Heng Shan Temple, "A Temple for the Phuas"

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

Ack to Mr Raymond Goh of API
If you cant see the pictures, pls proceed to ***>Pictures of Phuas Temple

It looks like an ordinary temple nested in a industrial area of Yishun New Town.

The plate on top reads Heng San Temple.



Current temple at Yishun

On the pillars bear the inscription in Chinese:

由进士起家治河功高加太子少保
从御史秉笔弹劾持正擢工部尚书

From an imperial scholar to a water expert and tutor to the prince
From an imperial censor upholding justice to a Minister of Works

This phrase would hold the identity of the deity and the temple history

------------ ---

Phua Village at Heng Lee Pah

The Phua community came to Singapore from Lam Ann Province in China.
As strangers in a foreign land, they wanted to stay close together.

So in 1914, a Phua village was set up in Nee Soon. It was bounded by Nee Soon Road,
Lorong Persatuan, Lorong Handalan, Upper Thomson Road and Lorong Sungyi.
It was called Heng Lee Pah. This name was derived from a plot of land owned by a wealth Teochew businessman called
Soh Tiang Hoo who owned a rubber plantation then called Heng Lee Pah. This name later became preferred over the offiical name of Lorong Handalan.

Almost everyone who lived there was a Phua. And in 1936, a primary school was set up for the Phua children.

But the most important landmark at that place was not the school nor the village, it was a temple - Heng San Temple.


Heng San Temple before the relocation with the temple chairman (picture taken from New Paper)

The temple was named Heng San Temple, because near the ancestral village in Lam Ann, there was a temple built at a hill which runs from horizontally from west to east.

At that time when the Phua ancestors first came to Singapore, they brought along their most important asset which is more important than their life, that is their ancestral incense ash from this Heng San temple at Nam Ann. This they put in a temple and called it Heng San Temple, so that they can remember their roots, and that their ancestral god would continue to protect them in this new land.

At first Heng San temple was a welfare organisation. It allowed single people to reside there temporarily and provide shelter for the need. The old and sickly were also taken care of. The temple also gave them money to return to China so that they could retire in some comfort.

The temple also served as a communication centre for the villagers. It was a meeting place for the villagers during their lesire hours where they could gather around for tea or a game of Chinese chess.

Leaders from the various households held their regular meetings in the temple to discuss common problems. Disuptes within the village were brought and settled there. The temple was thus a means of social control in the village

Phua village was most prosperous during the 70's where there are 58 families, or about 1000 people.
Every household was supposed to contribute 6 dollars per year to this temple.

Every year on Lunar Month 9.27, this temple would be full of celebrations and wayang shows. It was the birthday of Pan
Ji Xun. The road would be lined with hawkers. The festive celebrations would usually last for 3 - 4 days.


(Picture taken from History of Phua Village)

The villagers would start to prepare all kind of food and items for worship. The temple would also prepare
special kind of flour dolls . These kind of flour dolls are then taken back to the devotees home for worship.

These wayang shows are the main entertainment highlights for the villagers then, which they use to bond together as a large
family. Initially the wayang shows are those of a Seven children Act, which were performed by teenage boys aged 13 - 18 years ago.
Later on then came the Gao Ga wayangs and then the Hokkien operas.

And so, this Heng San Temple has been the centre of activity for generations of the Phua clan

This temple worships Pan Ji Xun as the main deity.


Pan Ji Xun

"From an imperial scholar to a water expert and tutor to the prince
From an imperial censor upholding justice to a Minister of Works"

This actually refers :

Pan Ji Xun (1521 - 1595)

Pan Ji Xuan was a water engineer who in the sixteenth century fought to control the Yellow River.
He was the Imperial Commissioneer for the Yellow River and later became the Minister of Works for Water
Engineering.

Pan strategy is to narrow the Yellow river and confine the flood within the stem channel in order to
raise the velocity and keep high carrying capacity of the flow, preventing sediment from depositing and
even scouring the bed.

Pan regulated the levee system, blocked many branches of the river and made the river flowing in a single channel in the lower
reaches in the period 1565-1592. The river became relatively stable in the following decades.

------------ --------

The signboard at temple bears three chinese character 横山庙 - Heng Shan temple.


Heng San Temple plaque

These 3 chinese characters were believed to have been written by Pan Shou



Pan Shou (1911- 1999)

Pan Shou - noted Chinese calligrapher and poet who had also served in various positions from newspaper editor to bank vice-president. He is also founding secretary-general and was de facto first vice-chancellor of the Nanyang University, then Nantah University. His calligraphic style is so unique that some have suggested he created his own "Pan style".


Statue of Pan Ji Xun

From a scholar to a water specialist to a Minister of Works, from taming the mighty Yellow River to patron deity of the Phua village temple,
Pan Ji Xun has certainly come far.

------------ ------

References:

The Development of Nee Soon Community by Chua Chee Huan
Ong Zhen Chun : Roots II
The New Paper, 15 Nov 1988
History of Phua Village, Singapore Society of Asian Studies, edited by Lim How Seng

PixNews: Ronni joins in the party, "Reported by Victor Yue"

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

Ack to Mr Victor Yue of Taoism Singapore eGroup

Fu Yun Tan
Hougang Central
Fri 20 Jul 06 6M07
2200H-0100H

Hi folks,

You bet! Where there's Ronni, there's fun. And what looked like a pretty boring evening, it turned out to be a mabok (drunken) evening for Ronni. Gosh, this guy can drink, and before he drank his first bowl of the Chinese wine, Li Ya Pek told him to drink and not to drive. Ji Gong offered his broken fan as the "magic carpet" for him to go home. (^^)



Ah, we were chatting around a round table while Ji Gong was holding court. Alamak, you know the jokes we shared .. a laugh too loud attracted Ji Gong. And of course, he zoomed in to the angmoh lang la. Ronni gamely responded and was immediately offered a bowl of the wine from his hu-lu. The wine looked fiery and certainly intoxicating. And seeing that Ronni could drink and game to try, he was offered more and more.

Just then, out of the blues, Li Ya Pek appeared from "hell" to join in the fun. Not only that, he then pulled Ronni back to "hell". In that darkened hell, he was offered cigarette, which Ronni gamely accepted. He was encouraged to take deep puffs. Tua Ya Pek was sitting there watching. When asked where he was from, Ronni answered, "Gua balu Penang lie", to which Li Ya Pek replied pointing out that "balu" si huang-na wei. Much to Li Ya Pek's surprise, Ronni not smoke the cigarette to the end, he ate it all, to the gasp of his audience.

He was then offered hot tea, only with another pot of lagi (even) more fiery Chinese wine, which he called "jiu-kui" meaning devil wine.

There was a lady interpreter who did a great job translating Tua Li Ya Pek's Hokkien to impeccable English.

Knowing Ronni, he asked for a hu (talisman), to which, Li Ya Pek offered him something smaller and asked him to cup them together with both palms. He told him that should he need help, just place the thing next to his heart, and call out for Tua Li Ya Pek three times.



I think this evening, Ronni stole the show, but well, the Deities were enjoying it and so were the devotees. (^^) Like a starry-eyed fan, Ronni asked Tua Li Ya Pek if he could take a picture with them. Li Ya Pek agreed and even asked for his hat. Dua Ya Pek joined him. It looked like Ronni had just gone to hell and took pictures with Tua Li Ya Pek! (^^)

He then left Hell back to "earth" to take a rest. He was perspiring heavily, probably flushed by the many bowls of Chinese wine. Just when he thought he was stable enough, Ji Gong called him back again! Wow, this Ji Gong knows the Hi-Five. He was certainly in his most mischievous mood, given the kind of reactions by this siow angmoh. He had a high five and turn around showing him his butt, to which Ronni gave a whack. Aiyoh, salah (wrong) la. (^^) He wanted the back to back hit. And so, they tried again, this time with Ji Gong getting down from his dragon chair. Gosh, the force from Ronni's butt must be so great that he sent Ji Gong flying, almost hitting me flat! (^^)

And when Ronni replied to his question, saying that he could recognised him a Ji Gong, the monk, Ji Gong was so pleased that he asked for his "wooden-fish" and "metal bowl" to teach Ronni how to hit the wooden-fish six times before hitting the bowl, and twirling the beads. It looked easy but was not so as Ronni tried to keep his tempo and both hands working. He failed, and he time, he had to drink a bowl of the Chinese red wine!



Before Ronni could run off, this time, Ji Gong suggested Guiness Stout! Just as Ronni was taking his swipe at the Stout, suddenly Ji Gong fell lame into the dragon chair. He had gone, leaving Ronni and the other assistant to finish the bottle of stout! (^^) Ronni was teasing that assistant daughter if her papa should be drinking. The little girl suggested that Ronni should drink. Ah, Mama has taught the little girl well. And so, this siow angmoh had to drink la. (^^)

What a night .. and Ji Gong asked Ronni to come back tomorrow (that is today) to meet him by the bridge. They are crossing the PingAn Bridge tomorrow. All these while, Ji Gong did not speak a word, just mere hand signals and body languages. His assistants tried to convey his message in English to Ronni.

What a night! (^^)

Victor
Singapore

Deities Birthday Greeting Banners 2

What are the things that we don’t do to our Chinese Religious Scriptures or Articles?

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

What are the things that we don’t do to our Chinese Religious Scriptures or Articles?

Due to the time has changed and in-order to allow the new generation followers to understand what our Chinese Religions are all about, a lot of people (or groups) are doing the following actions to our Scriptures or Articles (can be Ancient or can be notes by Masters):

1) Doing different languages translation to certain Scriptures or Articles
2) Providing explanations or details on certain sentences
3) Adding in personal feelings and comments on certain sections, etc

Are these correct or acceptable?

From what I have learnt from my past Masters, actually all these are not allowed or can said is forbidden to do so.

But again, due to the time has changed and in-order to allow our Chinese Religions to move on to another further stage and allowing the Knowledge to spread to more people, I think, even we have to face Heavenly Punishments, we have to break certain rules and regulations -> this is the Spirit of Knowledge Sharing.

Again, only to a certain standard (not the 3rd Point stated above).

Reasons:

During the translation to different languages, certain meaning or the hidden messages will be lost.

Different translators have different views or understanding on one sentence or section, some translation (due to personal view) may or may-not mislead the others.

After translation being done for the targeted-audience (may not be Chinese), will tend to treat it as a normal book or article, after reading, misplace it or using it as a fighting-weapon on the Chinese Religions.

太上老君說日用妙經 (Lao Jun Explain the Inner Daily-Use Miracle Scripture)

太上老君說日用妙經

老君曰:
日用者,飲食者定,
鎮日獨坐,莫起一念,
萬物俱忘;存神定意,
口唇相黏,齒牙相著;
眼不視物,耳不聽聲;
一心內守,調息綿綿,
微微輕出,似有如無,
莫教間斷;自然心火下降,
腎水上升,口內甘津自生,
靈真附體,自知長生之路;
十二時辰常要清靜;靈臺無物謂之清,
一念不起謂之淨;身是氣之宅,心為神之舍;
意行則神行,意住則神住,
神住則氣聚;五行真氣,結成刀圭,
自然身中有身;行住坐臥,
常覺身體如風之行,腹內如雷之鳴;
沖和氣透,醍醐貫頂,自飲刀圭,
耳聽仙音,無絃之曲,不撫而自聲,
不鼓而自鳴;神氣相結,如男子懷胎;
得觀內境,神自言語;是虛無之宅,
與聖同居,結成大丹;神自出入;
與天地同年,日月同明,脫離生死矣;
每日修教有損失,十二時辰常要清淨;
氣是神之母,神是氣之子;
如雞抱卵,切要存神養氣,能無離乎妙哉;
玄之又玄,人身中有七寶,
是為富國安民,精氣盈滿也.
故曰:心.腎.氣.血.腦.精.髓.
是為七寶,歸身不散,
煉成大丹,萬神盡登仙矣.

太上老君說日用妙經終

English Translation (by free.000angels.com)

As to what should be done in a day, when the eating and drinking has been arranged, let one sit straight with his mouth shut, and not allow a single thought to arise in his mind. Let him forget everything, and keep his spirit with settled purpose. Let his lips be glued together, and his teeth be firmly pressed against one another. Let him not look at anything with his eyes, nor listen to a single sound with his ears. Let him do the Inner-Guarding with single mind. Let him regulate his breath to make it soft and continuous, and let the out-breath be very slight, now seeming to breathe, and now not. In this way the Fire of heart will descend, the Water of the kidneys will rise up, the saliva will be produced in the mouth, and the real efficaciousness becomes attached to the body. It is thus that one will naturally know the way of prolonging life.

During the twelve hours of the day let one's thoughts be constantly fixed on absolute Purity. When there is nothing at the Spiritual Platform it is called Clarity; where one thought does not arise, it is called Tranquility;

The body is the house of the breath; the heart is the lodging of the divinity. As the thoughts move, the divinity moves; as the divinity moves, the breath is distributed. As the thoughts rest, the divinity rests, when the divinity rests, the breath is collected.

The true powers of the five elements unite and form the boat-like cup of jade, (after partaking of which), the body seems to be full of delicious harmony. This spreads like the unguent of the chrismal rite on the head. Walking, resting, sitting, sleeping, the man feels his body flexible as the wind, and in his belly a sound like that of thunder. His ears hear the songs of the Immortals, that need no aid from any instrument; vocal without words, and resounding without the drum. The spirit and the breath effect a union and the bloom of childhood returns. The man beholds scenes unfolded within him; Spirits of themselves speak to him; he sees the things of vacuity, and finds himself dwelling with the Immortals. He makes the Great Elixir, and his spirit goes out and in at its pleasure. He has the longevity of heaven and earth, and the brightness of the sun and moon. He has escaped from the toils of life and death.

Do not allow any relaxation of your efforts, During all the hours of the day strive always to be pure and undefiled. The spirit is the child of the breath; the breath is the mother of the spirit.

As a fowl embraces its eggs, do you preserve the spirit and nourish the breath. Can you do this without intermission? Wonderful! wonderful! The mystery becomes still deeper!

In the body there are seven precious organs, which serve to enrich the state, to give rest to the people, and to make the vital force of the system full to overflowing. Hence we have the heart, the kidneys, the breath, the blood, the brains, the semen, and the marrow. These are the seven precious organs. When they return the body does not disperse. Refine them into the Great Medicine, then the myriads of spirits will all ascend to Immortality.

Zhi Xin Li Nan Dou (南斗經短片一)

Dear All,

Here’s another new video clip created according to Taiwan Taoist High Priest – Master Hong Bai Jian’s CD production.

These sets of Taoist Scripture Chanting CDs have yet to be released in Singapore.

And million thanks to Master Hong and his disciples for giving me the copy-right to help in doing the promotion for their CDs.

If you are interested, after listening to the Chantings, you can send your enquiries or make an order to them at the following email:

daojing_2007@yahoo.com

PS: From what I know, the CDs will only be produced when orders are being confirmed.

Last of all, Good Luck to you and thanks for promoting of our Culture of Taoism.

Chao Li Jiu Huang (北斗經短片一)

Dear All,

Here’s another new video clip created according to Taiwan Taoist High Priest – Master Hong Bai Jian’s CD production.

These sets of Taoist Scripture Chanting CDs have yet to be released in Singapore.

And million thanks to Master Hong and his disciples for giving me the copy-right to help in doing the promotion for their CDs.

If you are interested, after listening to the Chantings, you can send your enquiries or make an order to them at the following email:

daojing_2007@yahoo.com

PS: From what I know, the CDs will only be produced when orders are being confirmed.

Last of all, Good Luck to you and thanks for promoting of our Culture of Taoism.

Sian Tng Chanting - Chao Zhou Shan Tang Fa Shi

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Music
Genre:	Other
Artist:	Sian Tng

Dear All,

Here's a list of great Teochew Sian Tng Chanting uploaded by Bro Oshgosh.

For those who are interested and like the Teochew Sian Tng Chanting, pls do go to the link shown below.

Really Great Stuffs.

http://oshgosh1.multiply.com/music/item/20

Tian Men Kai 天門開

Tian Men Kai, knowing as Opening of Heavenly Gate, usually falls on the 6th or 7th day of Lunar 6 Month (農曆六月初六或初七).

This year, 2007, it falls on 19 or 20 of July.

In Folks beliefs, on this day, Jade Emperor (玉皇大帝/天公) will lead all the other Heavenly Officials and Deities to do a minor Inspection around the whole World, checking on whether is there any chaotics, disasters or fatal-incidents happening elsewhere and at the same time, listen to all the requests from the living-kinds (萬眾生靈) in the Mortal World (凡間).

So what shall the Mortals (凡人) prepared on this day?

Just keep it simple and sincere, your message will be transmitted to Jade Emperor (玉皇大帝/天公).

1. After wake-up, wash up, make sure it's clean and fresh.

2. Pay Respect to the Heaven and Home Deities.

3. Prepare a set of new, hot Tea, placing them outside the House, at the Jade Emperor Altar (if you have any).

4. Kneel down.

5. Make 3 bows to the Heaven (imagine as if Jade Emperor (玉皇大帝/天公) is just sitting in-front of you).

6. Sincerely make your requests (not too much and not too greedily).

7. After making your requests, simply make another 3 bows.

8. Stand up and offer your Incenses (if you wish to offer some Josspapers also can, if not, no hassle).

9. Make 3 steps backward and leave the area of where you kneel down (the whole ritual ends here).

Some people may choose to visit Temples, this will be best, but if you cant make it as your time is restricting you, you can just do it at home, all will be blessed accordingly to your sincerity.

Last of all, wish you all the best and get whatever being requested.

Taoist Golden Brightness Mantra/Incantation & Hand-formation (金光神咒手訣)

With the teaching of Hand Formation.

金光神咒

天地玄宗　萬氣本根　廣修億劫　證吾神通

三界內外　惟道獨尊　體有金光　覆映吾身

視之不見　聽之不聞　包羅天地　養育群生

誦持一遍　身有光明　三界侍衛　五帝司迎

萬神朝禮　役使雷霆　鬼妖喪膽　精怪亡形

內有霹靂　雷神隱名　洞慧交徹　五氣騰騰

金光速現　覆護真人　急急如玉皇光降律令敕