Pictures of Bi Gan aka Ancestor of Lin Clan (商朝忠仁相比干)

Bi Gan (比干), real name known as Zi Gan (子干). Due to he was ever being bestowed with the title Bi (a post in the Imperial Court 曾封為比﹐因此又稱為比干), at later part of the history, he was being addressed as Bi Gan.

Bi Gan was born in late Shang Dynasty, on the 4th Day of Lunar 4 Month in BC1092 (生于商朝末年農曆四月初四日). He was the younger brother of King Yi, which King Yi was the father of King Zhou. And so, in the Imperial Court, King Zhou had to address Bi Gan as Royal Uncle (皇叔).

From records, Bi Gan was known as the descendant of Yellow Emperor (Huang Di 黃帝之後裔).

Since young, Bi Gan had been studying very hard to gain knowledge and skills in order to assist the Shang Empire in bringing peacefulness and prosperity to the citizens, etc.

After growing up, he assisted his nephew, King Zhou (商紂王), in handling issues that were associated with the Empire and looked into benefit-gaining for the citizens and Officers-in-Serving. With his loyalty and contributions, within a few years of serving the Nation, he was being promoted to a Premier (丞相).

Soon after Da Ji (妲己), the new concubine of King Zhou, being fetched into the Imperial Court, King Zhou was totally subdued by her beauty and within a short period, King Zhou lost his concentration in the handling of regular tasks that were associated with the Empire.

Upon knowing that King Zhou was not behaving uprightly, Bi Gan sent in Petition to make harsh reminders for his nephew, sincerely hoping that he would change, but after several tries, Bi Gan failed.

Realizing that King Zhou had lost his trust on him, Bi Gan decided to send in his resignation of his post.

After Bi Gan resigned from his post, King Zhou became more daring and started to fool around without any controls. Within a few months, the whole Imperial Court was in a chaos. Without any ways of stopping the chaotic, one of the loyal Officers came to look for Bi Gan, hoping that he could make a return back to the Imperial Court to pursue King Zhou to turn-over-a-new-leaf.

As the uncle of King Zhou and being loyalty to his own family Empire, Bi Gan had to make a return.

At BC1029, Bi Gan made his return to the Imperial Court.

Upon returning to the Imperial Court, Bi Gan went directly to King Zhou to advise him to leave Da Ji immediately and concentrated on handling the Empire issues.

But after several rounds of argument, King Zhou was being provoked and without any consideration, he made a crude comment on Bi Gan, saying that, since Bi Gan was a loyalty person, then Bi Gan shouldn’t be afraid to die in front of the Imperial Throne, if Bi Gan would to dig his heart out, he would consider of changing (義仁忠者﹐心有七竅﹐稱為七竅玲瓏心﹐掏出為證).

Immediately after King Zhou made the comment and in order to show his loyalty & wanting King Zhou to change, Bi Gan took a dagger and cut open his body to dig out his heart, within seconds, the loyalty Officer Bi Gan died. At that time, Bi Gan was only 63 years old.

Due to his loyalty and compassionate, after his death, the people respected him as a Deity of Loyalty, and due to the influence of the story of "Creation of Deities – Feng Shen Bang", Bi Gan was also being respected as a Deity of Wealth.

Till today in China, Temples that are dedicated to Bi Gan are still being visited by a lot of Taoists, followers, his descendants, etc.


Bi Gan, the Ancestor of the Lin Clan (比干為林姓始祖).

After Shang Empire was being overthrown, Zhou Dynasty ascended the throne.

Just before Zhou Wu Wang, Ji Fa (周武王姬發), entered to the main Capital City, he got a news of Bi Gan’s pregnant wife (比干之妻陳氏) was hiding inside the forest.

Upon knowing that, Ji Fa went to the forest to invite her out. After meeting up with Bi Gan's wife, Ji Fa made promises that he would protect her from any dangers, etc. And in order for the others not to recognize her as Bi Gan's wife, Ji Fa gave the unborn child the surname Lin (meaning the Forest 以林為姓) and a name of Jian (meaning Strong 以堅為名).

From then, Bi Gan's son used the surname to continue the lineage.

And this is how the surname Lin came about.

Types of Talismans 2 (符咒符文符令)

Here is the 2nd set of Talisman Pictures sharing.

As you can see in the pictures, more and more new style Talismans had been created to attract modern people.

Hope you all enjoy.

PS: Some are old traditional Talismans used during Taoist Rituals/Ceremonies.

Scroll Painting of Deities of Storm, Wave & Water (風潮海浪眾神祗)

This is a scroll painting used during Rituals/Ceremonies to invite the Deities of Storm, Wave & Water (主管風潮﹐海浪﹐水勢之神明).

They are all under the authority of Lord Emperor of Water Realm aka Shui Guan Da Di (為水官大帝所管轄).

In the past, when a drought or flood happened, folks would engaged Spiritual Masters/Leaders or Priests to perform a Ritual/Ceremony to request for the necessary blessing from the various Deities (in order for the Deities to make reports to Shui Guan Da Di, etc).

In Singapore, such a painting is rarely or seldom be used.

Pictures of Jiang Zi Ya aka Jiang Tai Gong (周朝帝師姜子牙)

Jiang Zi Ya (姜子牙) aka Jiang Fei Xiong (姜飛熊) or Jiang Tai Gong (姜太公), real name known as Jiang Shang (姜尚) or Lv Shang (呂尚 Lv as in the place where he was born, so the family take the name of the place as the surname), born in Late Shang Dynasty (商朝末年), King Geng Ding Period (BC1211 商更丁帝年間), 3rd Day of Lunar 8 Month (農曆三月初八日). Hometown in Shan Dong Province, Ri Zhao Area 家鄉於山東省日照市 (Ri Zhao Area was believed to be the biggest town in Asia in Shang Dynasty, a very developed and well-maintained town with all routes connected to all areas in China).

Jiang Zi Ya was also believed to be the direct descendant of Emperor Yan which is known as Shen Nong Shi (為炎帝神農氏後裔).

At a very young age, Jiang Zi Ya had been doing self study on the changes on the Politician issues happened in Shang Empire, the ways that battles carried out between Kingdoms and Countries, Natural Spiritual Skills, etc. From then, he was well versed with different kinds of strategies & planning, which later being compile and record in his book on Battling Strategies called "Jiang Tai Gong Bing Fa" (姜太公兵法).

In order for him to concentrate on his studying on the strategies and protecting his family from sufferings that caused by the Battles and Wars, Jiang Zi Ya and his family shifted to Northern part of China, around Liao Ning Province (中國北方遼寧省), from records, the whole family stayed there for about 40 years before they shifted back to Mt Zhong Nan area (鐘南山一帶).

Due to Jiang Zi Ya was well versed with the Skills of Prediction, he knew that by the age of 80 (逢八十而出仕), someone who would be a Leader of a Empire in the future would be there to invite him as a Premier, and so, he disguised himself as a fisherman who stayed beside Wei Shui (渭水) river to do fishing (while he's doing his fishing, he also spread a phrase to the commoners in order to direct the person who going to invite him to Wei Shui to look for him, the phrase was, Jiang Tai Gong Diao Yu, Bu Xiang Qu Zhong Qiu, Zhi Xiang Zhi Zhong Qu, Yuan Zhe Shang Gou 姜太公釣魚﹐不向曲中求﹐只向直中取﹐願者上鉤).

After the phrase being spread-out, Ji Fa (姬發), second son of Ji Chang (姬昌次子), got the phrase and immediately passed the message to Ji Chang. With serious studying on the phrase, Ji Chang knew that Jiang Tai Gong was not a normal person and so, he summoned Ji Fa to go to Wei Shui to look for Jiang Zi Ya.

Upon reaching Wei Shui, Ji Fa reported to Jiang Zi Ya the purpose of his visiting, but Jiang Zi Ya ignored Ji Fa, just before Ji Fa left with disappointment, Jiang Zi Ya conveyed a phrase to him – Jiang Zi Ya only willing to catch a Big Fish and not a small Shrimp (只釣大魚﹐不取小蝦).

Again, Ji Fa conveyed the message to his father. This time round, Ji Chang got the message and went to Wei Shui to invite Jiang Zi Ya personally.

Upon reaching, Ji Chang stood at a far site, waving and try to communicate with Jiang Zi Ya, but Jiang Zi Ya ignored him. Ji Chang was disappointed and left.

After serious considering, Ji Chang found out that, maybe he was not sincere enough and immediately, Ji Chang went to Wei Shui to look for Jiang Zi Ya again. On the third time, after reporting to Jiang Zi Ya of his purpose of this visiting, Jiang Zi Ya accepted his invitation and from then, Ji Chang appointed him as the Premier of Zhou Kingdom (周天下).

Immediately after Jiang Zi Ya joined the Zhou Kingdom, Ji Chang started his planning on attacking the Shang Empire. With the Military Expert Jiang Zi Ya, their attacking was very successful and soon, Shang Empire was being overthrown and King Zhou (紂王) killed himself by burning himself on Lu Tai (鹿台).

After Ji Chang aka Zhou Wen Wang (周文王) passed away, Ji Fa took over the throne. Jiang Zi Ya vowed to withhold the strength and peacefulness of Zhou Dynasty and so, he continued to serve the Empire for another 3 more Generations.

BC1072, Jiang Zi Ya passed away with an age of 139 (till now, consider as the oldest Premier in the Chinese History). wwhich later being bestowed with the title of Zhao Lie Wu Cheng Wang (昭烈武成王).

After his death, Officers, Taoists and Folks respected him as an Ancestor of Military Art and also Spiritual Skills.

Throughout the whole life of Jiang Zi Ya, he written a few popular books, they are Jiang Tai Gong Bing Fa (姜太公兵法 Jiang Zi Ya Strategies on Battling), Yin Fu Jing (陰符經 The Yin Authorities Classic), Liu Tao (六韜 The Importance of Strategies Planning), etc. Most of them are still being studies and practiced nowadays.

For High Res Pics, please proceed to this link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/taoism_deity_singapore_2007/photos/album/2064436032/pic/list

How to be a good Spiritual Person? - Part Two (如何成為修行士上士之上子篇)

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Accept what ever one self can't accept, in order to be accepted by the Whole.
(納之於不能受之事,眾能納汝之)

This is another phrase that being passed down by my Ancestors.

After hearing this sentence, a lot of the people start to scratch their head and a lot of question marks appeared in front of them. It may sounds a bit profound, but actually, it’s just part of a mortal’s life. Only for those who can really understand and practice it, then one self can attain another level of cultivation.

Since the first day when mortals are being created in this Universe, no one mortal can accept things, events, issues or cases that he/she doesn't want to accept. This is one of the causes of mortals' emotional sense – known as hatred or selfishness.

In order for one self to achieve in his/her cultivation to become a successful Spiritual Person, one self will need to overcome such emotional sense in order to accept what ever one self cant accept.

When one self opened up him/herself to accept what ever that he/she can't accept in the past, and now he/she can willingly to accept, one self has achieve in the so-called Wisdom-opening cultivation.

It is always easy to say but never easy to do.

Over different eras, decades, etc, not much cultivated people can achieve that fully, and of cos, this refers to the modern day cultivated people too. In today's cultivation World, I can say only a very small number of such cultivated people achieve in this Acceptance-practice.

So how to accept what ever one self can't accept?

First, by practicing self-realizing. By doing self realizing, one self needed to study on the issues closely. Look into the details of why one self can't accept, find the root of the not-accepting-pushing-force, once the root is being realized, try to disconnect it with one self’s cultivation will or seeking another high one self to assist in the disconnecting.

For example, due to insulting, one self cannot accept the other self. If one self can study deeper into the case, he/she will know why such insults happened, whether it’s because one self ever insulted the other party before or the things that one self said had hurt the other party, etc.

If either of the cases happened, try to make apologize to the other party for forgiving and if the other party will to accept one self's apologize, then one self will be accepted and the things that one self involved will be accepted by all people around one self and the other party’s surrounding people, etc.

While doing self realizing for such cases, one self must always stay calm and always stay alert with an open-mind, cos only by having that, one self can have a clearer mind to study on the issues, etc.

Second, be Humble. This may sounds a bit out of topic, but this is one of the few important factors that affect one self to be accepted by the other selves.

To be Humble as in the sense of willingly to take in any comments, complains or even reprimands.

By willingly and openly accepting such actions, one self will realize the mistakes that one self had made. From there, if one self will to make changes accordingly, he/she will be able to accept what ever the other selves can't accept on and to achieve in the cultivation of accepting what ever can’t be accepted.

Third, be Tough. Tough as in withholding the determination in believing that one self accept what ever can't be accepted and one self will be accepted by the Whole.

This Tough, some times can be really tough, cos not much selves can really have that good determination in withholding his/her believe till the last moment.

Usually during such "withholdings", one self will encounter with a lot of external pushing-factors (can be positive or negative) that cause one self of losing the determination and end up, choose to give up.

Once such thoughts are being created in one self's mind, then he/she will not be able to concentrate. In order to concentrate, one self must strongly believed that, by really holding on to what one self's believe, he/she will be able to enjoy the "result of being accepted" in a short period.

Accepting the un-acceptable issues can make one self more mature in order to proceed to another level of cultivation.

By accepting the un-acceptable issues, can also make one self succeed in whatever he/she never succeed before.

In conclusion, always try one's best to accept whatever that he/she thinks that cannot be accepted. If one self never try to accept the things that he/she thinks that it's difficult to accept, one self will never know that what is accepting.

Pictures of Zhou Wen Wang Ji Chang (周文王姬昌)

Zhou Wen Wang (周文王) aka Xi Bo Hou (西伯侯), real name known as Ji Chang (姬昌) and in some other contexts known as Zhou Gong (周公), descendant of Yellow Emperor (Huang Di 黃帝), born in late Shang Dynasty (生于商朝末期), birthday unknown (生年不詳) and was known as the first Emperor of Zhou Dynasty (欲為周朝第一王).

During Ji Chang's temporary imprisonment, being accused by some other cruel officers, Ji Chang invented a set of Prediction Theory known as Yi (易) – which later translated as The Book of Change (Yi Jing 易經). Yi, a multiplication of Trigram (Trigram*Trigram 八卦演繹) to form 64 symbols (成六十四卦) for prediction purposes.

During the end period of Shang Dynasty, a lot of minor Kingdoms around the Shang Empire started their revolution to oppose against the Evil King Zhou. They gathered volunteered commoners as armies to set up troops to battle with the Shang Empire, Ji Chang was one of them.

With his upright reputation and sincerity in bringing peace for the Country, in very short period, Ji Chang gathered a large number of volunteers (義軍) and commoners who wished to overthrown King Zhou and besides that, Ji Chang also combined the troops from surrounding minor Kingdoms to form a larger oppose force.

In order for Ji Chang to succeed in the battles, he personally went to Wei Shui 渭水(a location) to invite a Military Expert known as Jiang Zi Ya (姜子牙) aka Jiang Shang (姜尚). From then, Jiang Shang was being appointed as the Premier of Ji Chang (at that time, Jiang Shang was believed to be 80 years old).

Around BC1034 - 1046, Ji Chang passed away and the throne was being passed down to his second Son, Ji Fa (次子姬發) (first son Bo Yi Kao was being killed by King Zhou 長子伯邑考被紂王所殺).

Around BC1046, Ji Fa started his battle with Shang Empire, with his strong will & well planned strategies and the assistances from the Military Experts, Ji Fa defeated King Zhou and Shang Empire was being overthrown.

After Shang Empire fall, Ji Fa named his Country with the title Zhou and bestowed his father, Ji Chang, as the first Emperor of Zhou Dynasty, known as Zhou Wen Wang (周文王) and himself as Zhou Wu Wang (周武王).

Due to Ji Chang’s will in bringing peacefulness to the Country and stopped all kinds of sufferings, after his death, folks respected him as a Deity of Uprighteous & Compassion (正義仁慈之神祗).

And in stories, Ji Chang was known as the Father for 99 sons and 1 foster son (which is Lei Zhen Zi in the Classic of Creation of Deities 封神榜中指雷震子) from then, Ji Chang was also being honored as a Deity of Child-bearing (因有百子之說﹐亦被敬為生育守護神).

Tai Yang Xing Jun Birthday (太陽星君聖誕)

19^th Day of Lunar 10 Month (農曆十月十九日), it's a day that the Taoists regard as the Birthday of Tai Yang Xing Jun aka Lord of the Sun (太陽星君聖誕).

 

Another Birthday for Tai Yang Xing Jun is recorded as 19^th Day of Lunar 3 Month (農曆三月十九日), which this is the actually day of the downfall of Ming Dynasty 明朝沒亡之日 (during the last battle of Ming Empire, Emperor Chong Zhen used the Chinese pronunciation of 19^th Day of Lunar 3 Month as a secret code to hint the officers to get external armies to save him and the Empire, but due to internal conflicts, Emperor Chong Zhen was not being saved and Ming Empire was not able to sustain 以三月十九日為暗號 - 譯反清復明).

 

Tai Yang Xing Jun aka Lord of Sun, a Lord who is being appointed to look into the movements of the Sun and also to provide opportunities for Living Beings to survive.

 

Due to these reasons, Taoists or folks will tend to pay respect to Tai Yang Xing Jun to get blessings for prolonging of one's life and also, to get rid of un-necessary sins & debts in order to get a new opportunity to be another new "person".

 

For one self to get close connection with Tai Yang Xing Jun, the one self can recite Scriptures (only the correct & accurate one, not the one being mixed with other un-necessary sentences) dedicated to him or Bao Gao (寶誥) aka Praise Mantra to get his attention.

 

For those who are interested in reciting the Bao Gao, here it goes:

太陽星君寶誥　

Tai Yang Xing Jun Bao Gao (Praise Mantra)

　　　

至心皈命禮。

Zhi Xin Gui Ming Li

 

大羅天上。朱景宮中。　

Da Luo Tian Shang, Zhu Jing Gong Zhong

 

尊居十本極之高。　

Zun Ju Shi Ben Ji Zhi Gao

 

體乾出治。　

Ti Qian Chu Zhi

 

位正三才之上。

Wei Zheng San Cai Zhi Shang

　

御德行權。寒肅暑炎。　

Yu De Xing Quan, Han Su Shu Yan

 

平六氣而咸寍。　

Ping Liu Qi Er Xian Mi

 

萬國旦明宵晦。　

Wan Guo Dan Ming Xiao Hui

 

駕六龍而統治十華。　

Jia Liu Long Er Tong Zhi Shi Hua

 

司善惡予奪之柄。　

Si Shan Er Yu Duo Zhi Bing

 

照臨赫奕定功過。

Zhao Ling He Yi Ding Gong Guo

 

顯微之迂。感應昭彰。

Xian Wei Zhi Yu, Gan Ying Zhao Zhang　

 

號令雷霆。迅除邪崇。　

Hao Ling Lei Ting, Xu Chu Xie Zhong

 

大悲大願。大聖大慈。　

Da Bei Da Yuan, Da Sheng Da Ci

 

日宮太陽鬱儀帝君。

Ri Gong Tai Yang Yu Yi Di Jun

 

威光布德。

Wei Guang Bu De

 

慈暉朱日天尊。

Ci Hui Zhu Ri Tian Zun

 

 

 

Introduction of San Huang Wu Di (三皇五帝)

 

San Huang Wu Di (三皇五帝), the Three Imperial Lords from Pre-historical Period (遠古時代) and the Five Emperors of Ancient Historical Period (上古時代) of Ancient China, 8 important people who created the Society, History and Culture for all the Chinese – Chinese regards them as Ancestors.

Due to there were no exact records on San Huang Wu Di, which later, resulted in a few sets of names of San Huang Wu Di appeared in different eras.

According to Historical Records of Qin Dynasty (秦史記), San Huang was being recorded as Tian Huang (天皇), Di Huang (地皇) & Tai Huang (泰皇), which Tai Huang was being known as Ren Huang (人皇) in later part of Spring Autumn Period (春秋時).

And according to records of Wu Di, they were the Five Emperors from Ancient Historical Period whom had made huge contributions to the Society.

And so, who are there?

Here's the brief intro on them:

San Huang aka Tian Huang, Di Huang & Ren Huang (Tai Huang), which was recorded as –

Tian Huang – Fu Xi 伏羲氏 (invented the theory of nature change)
Di Huang – Sui Ren 遂人氏 (founded the way of setting fire)
Ren Huang – Shen Nong 神農氏 (founded different types of plants and herbs)

Which another set is –
Tian Huang – Pan Gu 盤古 (believed to be the one who open up Heaven & Earth)
Di Huang – Fu Xi (invented the theory of nature change)
Ren Huang – Shen Nong (founded different types of plants and herbs)

Another set is –
Tian Huang – Pan Gu (believed to be the one who open up Heaven & Earth)
Di Huang – Fu Xi (invented the theory of nature change)
Ren Huang – Nv Wa 女媧 (Mother of all Mortals, created Living Beings)

As for Wu Di are:
Huang Di aka Yellow Emperor 黃帝 (the First Emperor in our Chinese History, invented rules & regulations for all mortals to follow & obey and commandeered his officers to invent daily usage items, etc)

Zhuan Xu 顓頊 (grandson of Yellow Emperor, nephew of Yellow Emperor's son, after Yellow Emperor's son passed away, he passed the throne to Zhuan Xu. Zhuang Xu, a capable Emperor who follow the teaching of Yellow Emperor, built up a strong Empire after Yellow Emperor passed away.)

Emperor Ku 帝嚳 (nephew of Zhuan Xu, great-grandson of Yellow Emperor, assist the commoners from all sort of requests. As an Emperor, he was able to look into all minor issues that the commoners had. Being well respect by the commoners)

Emperor Yao 帝堯 (son of Emperor Ku, withhold his father's will and teaching, built up a peaceful and stable Empire, knowing that Da Yu was a filial and hardworking person, Emperor Yao passed his throne to Da Yu – son-in-law)

Emperor Shun 帝舜 (aka Da Yu 大禹, the one who stopped the flooding by assisting the commoners to open canals and building of dams, etc. Son-in-law of Emperor Yao)

For Higher Res Pictures, feel free to visit this link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/taoism_deity_singapore_2007/photos/album/1272996083/pic/list

Lord Emperor of Guang Yao (雷都光耀大帝)

Lei Du Guang Yao Da Di (雷都光耀大帝) aka Li En Zhu (李恩主) or Li Guang Yao En Zhu (李光耀恩主), real name known as Li Guan Tao (李觀濤), born in Shang Dynasty (BC1194 生于商朝農曆正月二十四日), 24th day of Lunar 1 Month. Hometown at Shan Xi Province (家鄉於陝西省).

 

In Shang Dynasty, his family was a well known rich family whom always assist the needy. Even though Li Guan Tao was born in a big and rich family, he was not being influenced by the Reality attractions or fame instead he concentrated on his self cultivation.

 

During the recruitment for armies for the fighting against the Shang Evil King Zhou (商朝殷紂王), Li Guan Tao joined Emperor Zhou Wen Wang (周文王), soon after he joined in the troop, he was being appointed by Premier Jiang Zi Ya (姜子牙) as a Marshal.

 

After King Zhou was being defeated and Shang Dynasty fall, Li Guan Tao and his four disciples (General Ma, Lei, He & Tao 馬雷何陶) left the Zhou Empire and went for cultivation retreat. Within years, they got their enlightenment.

 

Due to Li Guan Tao's contributions in bringing peace to the Country, credits and merits, he was being bestowed with the title Guang Yao Da Di (光耀大帝) or Jin Que Ling Zhen Guan (金闕靈真官) by Heaven.

 

Li Guan Tao’s major task was to promote the Culture of Filial Piety (宣揚孝道). And so, in some areas, when Filial Piety is being involved, Li Guan Tao will be mentioned.

 

From then, Temples were being built dedicating to him and his four disciples.

 

Empress Mother Earth Manifestation Anniversary (地母元君華誕)

18 Day of Lunar 10 Month (農曆十月十八日), is a day that considered as the Birthday of Di Mu Yuan Jun aka Empress Mother Earth or in short, Mother Earth (為地母元君華誕-地母又稱大地之母﹐守護一切農耕稻收等).

 

Till today, there is still a number of Taoists or even other Religions followers pay respect (honour) to Di Mu Yuan Jun as a form of expressing our gratitude to her for protecting our Planet Earth from any external energies invading (驅逐外來不正之氣所侵犯), blessing the natural soil in this Planet Earth from being seriously infected by diseases (庇佑萬里黃土之氣不受染), etc.

 

Even though there still a number of followers for Di Mu Yuan Jun, but due to the Modernization events going on and a revolution in cultures, traditional Rituals/Ceremonies, that are dedicated to Di Mu Yuan Jun, had change a lot.

 

In order Di Mu Yuan Jun to continue giving the necessary blessing to this Planet Earth, we must return our gratitude to Di Mu Yuan Jun by staying closely connected with her by reciting her Scriptures (地母聖經) or Bao Gao (Praise Mantra 地母寶誥).

 

For those who are interested in reciting the Bao Gao, here it is:

虛空地母元君寶誥
Xu Kong Di Mu Yuan Jun Bao Gao (Praise/Mantra)

志心皈命禮
Zhi Xin Gui Ming Li

地母化生。
Di Mu Hua Sheng

普天肅靜。
Pu Tian Xiao Jing

河海淨默。
He Hai Jing Mo

山嶽吞雲。
Shan Yu Tun Yun

萬靈扳扶。
Wan Ling Ban Fu

召集群真。
Zhao Ji Qun Zhen

天無雜氣。
Tian Wu Zha Qi

地無妖魔。
Di Wu Yao Mo

明慧洞清。
Ming Hui Dong Qing

大道玄玄。
Da Dao Xuan Xuan

大聖大慈。
Da Sheng Da Ci

大悲大願。
Da Bei Da Yuan

虛空地母。
Xu Kong Di Mu

無量慈尊。
Wu Liang Ci Zun

無上虛空地母元君大慈尊
Wu Shang Xu Kong Di Mu Yuan Jun Da Ci Zun

 

Introduction of Marshal Di Qing (武曲下生化狄青)

 
Di Qing (狄青) aka Di Han Chen (狄漢臣), born in Song Dynasty, Da Zhong Xiang Fu Period (AD1008 生于宋朝大中祥符年間), hometown in Shan Xi Province, Fen Yang Area (家鄉於山西省太原市汾陽).

At the age of 16, Di Qing's brother killed one of their hometown-mate and was being sentenced to jail, but due to brotherly love and the respect he had for his brother, Di Qing volunteered himself to replace his brother for the jailing.

Soon after the sentenced being cleared, Di Qing joined the army troop to serve the nation. Because of his willingness to learn and loyalty to the nation, he was being appointed as one of the Commanders soon after he joined.

After he was being appointed as the Commander, he was being selected to lead troops of Song army to fight against the invaders from surrounding barbarian kingdoms. Every time he went for battling, he would put on a Copper Mask to hide his face from the enemies and soon, he was being given a name of Mian Nie Jiang Jun 面涅将军(whenever the enemies saw someone with such a mask would automatically retreat, cos they knew that they were not the match of Di Qing).

In some other myths, the mask was believed to be a gift from Xuan Tian Shang Di (玄天上帝). During one battling, Di Qing was unable to defeat the enemies, so Di Qing was quite disappointed and made a slight complain to the Heaven, after the complain, a Deity appeared in the Northern Sky – which is Xuan Tian Shang Di. Aftering paying respect to Xuan Tian Shang Di, Di Qing was presented with a mask and a gourd with magical arrows. From then, Di Qing became undefeatable and incredible.

AD1040, Di Qing was being promoted to an Officer of Military Planning, which hold the authorities of commanding National Army Troops.

AD1056, due to Di Qing was being highly respected by the Song Emperor, a lot of officers were quite being provoked and tried ways of getting rid of Di Qing. Soon after one of the cruel officer who knew about Di Qing was actually one of the murderer of his own hometown mate (which actually was Di Qing’s Brother), he made crude petition to Song Emperor of sacking Di Qing from the Officer of Military Planning. After several more such petitions, Song Emperor had to take in the decision. After Di Qing knowing about such incident, he resigned his position from the Imperial Court.

AD1057, after returning to his hometown, Di Qing was infected with serious illness. Soon after getting the illness, Di Qing passed away at his hometown, with an age of 49. In some other records, it was believed that Di Qing was actually being murdered by assassins appointed by the Imperial Court.

Due to Di Qing's credits and merits in bringing peacefulness to the Country and the myths that he was a reincarnation of Lord Wu Qu (武曲星君) from the Northern Heaven, he was being respect as a Deity of Military.

In Folks Culture, he was also being respect as Di Fu Qian Sui (狄府千歲) or Wu Hu Da Jiang Jun (五虎大將軍).

Till today, a lot of Asia Countries still pay respect to him.

For High Res Pictures, please proceed to this link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/taoism_deity_singapore_2007/photos/album/765114941/pic/list

Terms that being used in Taoist Articles and Reviews Part One (道文化英文文章中常用句子之子篇)

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In order to allow the others to have a better understanding on certain terms in the Taoist Articles and Reviews, here, I will compile a list of terms with brief explanation.

1. Upright Teaching of Taoism:

Upright: meaning appropriate, realistic and no bias.

By having an Upright Teaching of Taoism, a person doesn’t only learn the basic Spiritual Skills of Taoism, but also the correct attitude that one self must behave and obey. By following an Upright Teaching of Taoism, a person won’t be able to be distracted by other un-necessary Teachings and being affected by external un-realistic energies.

Who shall withhold the Upright Teaching of Taoism?

All Officially-accepted Taoists, All Taoist Spiritual Masters/Leaders & Priests and All future-to-be Taoist Spiritual People. By following closely the Upright Teaching of Taoism, one self will be able to proceed far and accept whatever that is being appointed to them, etc.

2. Correct Teaching/Culture of Taoism:

Correct: no fatal mistakes or wrongs being minimize to the lowest possibility.

By giving the Right sharing of Knowledge, Information, Details and Data to those who in-need, willingly to accept, craving for Knowledge, etc, is consider as giving a Correct Teaching.

Who shall look into the Correct Teaching/Culture of Taoism?

Only Trained Taoist Masters/Leaders and Priests and not any laymen Taoist Spiritual People, especially while sharing the knowledge of Scriptures, Mantras and any form of Religious Articles.

Once an incorrect piece of knowledge is being passed down/around, disasters will happen in the future.

3. Living Beings or Living Kinds:

Living Beings/Kinds: Human, Animals, Insects, Plants or any objects that can be seen in this Planet Earth (including germs and viruses).

In certain contexts, it’s known as Wan Ling in Chinese, meaning Infinite quantity of Living Beings.

4. Mortals

Refering to Human only.

Xia Yuan Festival - Shui Guan Da Di Birthday (下元水官大帝千秋)

Lord Emperor of Water Realm, known as Shui Guan Da Di (水官大帝) or full Official Title as Yang Gu Dong Yuan San Pin Xia Yuan Wu Qi Jie E Shui Guan Jin Ling Dong Yin Da Di (陽穀洞元三品下元五氣解厄水官金靈洞陰大帝).

 

In some Taoist contexts, San Guan Da Di (including Shui Guan 三官大帝), were the manifestation of Yuan Shi Tian Zun and in other Folks contexts, San Guan were the sons of Chen Zi Du (陳子櫝) and the Third Dragon Princess (龍王三公主).

 

In our Taoist Records, on the 15^th Day of Lunar 10 Month (農曆十月十五日) is consider as the Birthday of Shui Guan Da Di and also the day for him and his assistants to visit the Mortal World to do inspections and releasing of blessing.

 

And according to records of Chinese Deity System, Shui Guan Da Di was being appointed to look after all movements and issues that involved the Seas, Rivers, Streams, Rain, etc, besides that, he was also being appointed to look into the task of eliminating un-necessary sins or debts of the Mortals.

 

Due to the task that he's being appointed, on the 15^th Day of Lunar 10 Month, Taoists will pay respect to Shui Guan Da Di, hoping by doing so, any un-necessary sins, debts and misfortune (解厄消災) can be deleted from the "Spiritual Records" (but only if a person is sincerely, willingly and remorsefully to turn-over-a-new-leaf).

 

For those who are keen in getting connected with and get the blessing from Lord Emperor of Water Realm – Shui Guan Da Di, can recite his mantra below:

水官大帝寶誥

Shui Guan Da Di Bao Gao (Praise Mantra)

志心皈命禮。

Zhi Xin Gui Ming Li

暘谷洞元。青華宮中。

Yang Gu Dong Yuan, Qing Hua Gong Zhong

 

部四十二曹。

Bu Si Shi Er Cao

 

偕九千萬眾。

Jie Jiu Qian Wan Zhong

 

掌管江河水。

Zhang Guan Jiang He Shui

 

帝萬靈之事。

Di Wan Ling Zhi Shi

 

水災大會劫數之期。

Shui Zai Da Hui Jie Shu Zhi Qi

 

正一法王。

Zheng Yi Fa Wang

 

掌長夜死魂鬼神之籍。

Zhang Chang Ye Si Hun Gui Shen Zhi Ji

 

無為教主。

Wu Wei Jiao Zhu

 

錄眾生功過罪福之由。

Lu Zhong Sheng Gong Guo Zhui Fu Zhi You

 

上解天災。

Shang Jie Tian Zai

 

度業滿之靈。

Du Ye Man Zhi Ling

 

下濟幽扃。

Xia Ji You Ju

 

分人鬼之道。

Fen Ren Gui Zhi Dao

 

存亡皆泰。力濟無窮。

Cun Wang Jie Tai, Li Ji Wu Qiong

 

大悲大願。大聖大慈。　

Da Bei Da Yuan, Da Sheng Da Ci

下元五氣。解厄水官。

Xia Yuan Wu Qi, Jie E Shui Guan

 

金靈洞陰大帝。

Jin Ling Dong Yin Da Di

 

暘谷帝君

Yang Gu Di Jun

Pictures of Xuan Yuan Huang Di aka Yellow Emperor (軒轅黃帝)

Huang Di aka Yellow Emperor (黃帝), consider as the 1st Emperor in the whole Chinese History and Religion (華夏開化之君主).

According to records, Huang Di was born about 4800-4900 years ago, hometown in Xuan Yuan Hill 軒轅丘 (now in He Nan Province, Xin Zheng Area 今河南省新鄭). Real surname known as Gong Sun (原姓公孫), due to he was born at Xuan Yuan Hill, later part in the History, the folks address him as Xuan Yuan Shi (因生與軒轅丘﹐又稱軒轅氏), in some myths, Huang Di was believed to have born with 4 Faces – looking into the 4 Directions.

And according to spiritual records, Huang Di was the manifestation or transformation of Deity from the Bei Dou (The Great Dipper of the North 北斗身之化身), just before the day of Huang Di was being born, his mother saw a great star appeared from the North, on the star, there was 3 characters – Huang Di Zi (黃帝子), meaning Yellow Emperor. Immediately after seeing the star, Huang Di was born, from then, most of the folks address him as Huang Di Zi, which later, became Huang Di (而后稱黃帝).

During the battle against the Giant Invader Chi You (蚩尤), Huang Di was being imparted with Spiritual Skills from Xi Wang Mu (西王母). Just at the time of Huang Di being defeated by Chi You, Xi Wang Mu sent Jiu Tian Xuan Nv (九天玄女) to pass to Huang Di a few Spiritual Manuals and Scripts, from then, Huang Di defeated Chi You and conquered the whole Kingdom.

From then, Huang Di started to invent a lot of systems, such as making used of Shi Tian Gan (十天干) and Shi Er Di Zhi (十二地支) to form a cycle of 60 years (according to Lunar Calendar 六十甲子), asked Ling Lun (伶 倫) to invent Music using bamboos (制樂), asked Lei Zu Yuan Fei (嫘 祖元妃) to harvest silk from silkworms (採絲), asked Cang Jie (倉頡) to create Chinese characters for writing and reading (造字), invention of boats, houses, carts, etc.

Due to his great contributions to the Chinese Society and Culture, folks respected him as one of the Ancestors of the Chinese, which later being included into the San Huang Wu Di Group (三皇五帝).

In Taoism, we regard him as one of the Founders of Taoism (道教始祖), without him, there wont be Chinese Culture and so, with Lao Zi (老子 - 道教道祖) and Heavenly Master Zhang Dao Ling (張道陵 - 道教教祖), we addressed them as Dao Jiao San Zu (道教三祖).

For High Res Pictures, please proceed to this link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/taoism_deity_singapore_2007/photos/album/821940190/pic/list

Pictures of Paper Figurines of Deities in Zhao Ling Temple (昭靈廟紙扎神像)

Thanks to Mr Gilles for sharing with us the pictures of the Paper Figurines of Deities in Zhao Ling Temple during the retreat Ceremony.

It's quite rare and difficult to see such unique and fine artifacts in Singapore nowadays.

During the Celebration Dinner for Duke Liu Jin (柳金聖侯), I was introduced to the Master, from China who is also a Priest, who made these figurines, really my honour to know him and sincerely appreciate the art work that he create and the Spiritual effort that he put in to promote our Taoist Culture. Superb I can say :P

For those who are interested in finding out more on the Temple and learn more on this type of art work, can visit Zhao Ling Temple at anytime (the Masters will most probably be here till certain period).

The Chinese Physician Deities (Series 4) – Li Shi Zhen (醫神系列之李時珍)

Li Shi Zhen (李時珍) aka Li Dong Bi (李東璧) or Ping Hu Shan Ren (瀕湖山人), born in Ming Dynasty, Emperor Wu Zong Period (AD1518 生於明武宗年間), hometown at Hu Bei Province, Zhan Chun Area (家鄉於河北省蘄春縣).

Li Shi Zhen, born in a Physician Family (行醫世家), since young, he was being influenced by all sorts of Physician Skills and soon, he picked up the skills of Chinese Medication.

At a young age of 14, Li Shi Zhen passed his first round of Official Examination and was given the title of Xiu Cai (秀才), but after 3 trials of 2nd Official Examination, he failed and couldn't get the title of Ju Ren (舉人), since then, he concentrated on his medical study.

At the age of 30, he was became a well-known Physician in hometown and after Duke Chu (楚王) of Ming knew about Li Shi Zhen, Duke Chu employed him as a home-physician.

AD1556, Li Shi Zhen was being introduced to the Imperial Physician Department (太醫院), after serving one year as an Imperial Physician, he resigned and returned to his hometown to set up a Chinese Clinic named as Hong Hua Yuan (紅花園).

After his retirement, he fully concentrate in his researches in Chinese herbs and drugs, and by combining the knowledge of Taoism's teaching of Yin Yang elements, he created a number of new skills and curing methods. Soon (30 over years), he compiled all his researches result into a book known as Ben Cao Gang Mu (本草綱目).

AD1593, Li Shi Zhen passed away in his hometown, at that time, he was 76 years old.

From all his hardship contribution in finding of more new herbs and drugs for curing the sufferings, he was being respected as one of the Deities of Chinese Physician. Till today, he was still being widely known by the Chinese and Chinesse Physicians.

How to be a good Spiritual Person/Master? (如何成為修行士上士篇)

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A lot of people had been asking me about this question, how to become a good Spiritual Person (can be Spiritual Leader/Master or Priest). At few times, I was really amused by such question.

Maybe for those who are not closely associated or involved in Taoist Events or Spiritual Cases, may not be able to know the truth, but for those who are closely associated with all these events will know that, it's not easy to be a good Spiritual Person in today’s modern society.

Why did I say so?

As a Priest (Spiritual Person) myself, sometime I will also wonder why. Why our Taoism is not able to be promoted correctly or uprightly? Why our Taoism is always on the last of the list when people talk about Religions? After realizing and finding out, I realized that, not because of no talented people in our Taoist Society, but because most of them chose to avoid the topic of Promoting and also try to avoid being too over-shine as compared to others – worrying of being pin-point by some other Spiritual Groups or Taoist Organisations – which is an post-effect of Modernization.

If we will to look back at our basic Teaching of Dao (Accept and wait for respone – response can be in Yin form, which is negative and Yang form, which is positive), if oneself, by promoting the right & upright Culture of Taoism and yet, got insulted or pin-point by the others because of jealousy and hatred, don’t that oneself felt that, actually he/she had done his/her best in Promoting the Culture which caused someone/some groups that took time to go thru or to listen to the things that the oneself promoted – objective achieved (the Yin form can be a motivation or an initial change for the Yang form, meaning negative may not be 100% negative, but it can be a push factor to become a positive achievements)?

To add, certain level of insulting/pin-pointing or crude remarks are good, this will somehow act as a form of motivation (so-called Push factor) to allow the promotion to go on. But once the level of insulting/pin-pointing or crude remarks increased, then oneself must do a serious self-reflection to realize what had gone wrong, where is the main root of fault, etc. In the first place, never ever argue back with those who insulted/pin-pointing or made crude remarks on you, cos, wrong lays on both sides. Once a person can perform self-reflection and not arguing back when thing goes nasty, he/she will have reach a certain level of good Spiritual Person.

Besides doing self-reflection, no arguing back or self realizing, as a good Spiritual Person, oneself also needed to do a lot of self study, researches and finding out the truth and fact of things happened, etc. Only by putting in effort in doing all these, one self can realize how bad the situations are or where the problem lays, etc.

Just recently, a group of folks argued on issues of Jiu Huang Da Di (the Nine Emperors). Claimed that our Taoist Deities, the Nine Emperors were pirates or bandits, etc. But if a person will to do a deeper research or study on our Taoism Deity System or read up our Taoist Scriptures, it's not difficult to know that, our Nine Emperors are actually the Nine Stars that appeared in the Northern Hemisphere which assist the Heavenly Realm to look after the movements of living beings, etc.

For me, usually I DON'T really argue back in a way that YOU MUST BELIEVED IN ME, but I will try to point out where you can find the information from and where you can get the accurate details, etc. Once serious arguing occurred, it will defeat the purpose of Taoist Cultivation or Culture Promoting.

To conclude, to be a good or better Cultivation Spiritual Person, do not just believe in hear-say, first impression sight-seeing or by reading one article, etc, observe more, listen more, read more, feel more, ask more and then do self reflection, self realizing and eliminating of untrue facts, to get a clearer view on what one self wished to learn, know and find out.

Like what my Master like to advise me when he’s still around in this Mortal World:

No Master is a wonder Master (師者無獨強師).
No Master is an incredible Master (師者無萬能師).
As a disciple, besides learning, one self shall try to find out more and not follow blindly (聞觀觸不致盲追求).
Follow blindly is not a disciple but a copy-cat or Parrot (不如谷中徘徊蕩音).
Only by finding out more, then a disciple is considers as a Real disciple
(方成眾徒中之徒, 修行方士之首士).

From then, I know that, in-order to learn more, one self will have to put in more effort to find out than just to sit there, waiting for the skills or knowledge to be taught.

This is the Real Dao – making use of the Push factor to direct in the Pull factor, collating the 2 factors into 1 factor which go thru the whole physical self to reach a standard of no "Push and Pull factor" to become "Push-Pull factor".

Accept what ever one self can’t accept, in order to be accepted by the Whole.

(納之於不能受之事,眾能納汝之)

This is another phrase that being passed down by my Ancestors.

After hearing this sentence, a lot of the people start to scratch their head and a lot of question marks appeared in front of them. It may sounds a bit profound, but actually, it’s just part of a mortal’s life. Only for those who can really understand and practice it, then one self can attain another level of cultivation.

Since the first day when mortals are being created in this Universe, no one mortal can accept things, events, issues or cases that he/she doesn’t want to accept. This is one of the causes of mortals’ emotional sense – known as hatred or selfishness.

In order for one self to achieve in his/her cultivation to become a successful Spiritual Person, one self will need to overcome such emotional sense in order to accept what ever one self cant accept.

When one self opened up him/herself to accept what ever that he/she can’t accept in the past, and now he/she can willingly to accept, one self has achieve in the so-called Wisdom-opening cultivation.

It is always easy to say but never easy to do.

Over different eras, decades, etc, not much cultivated people can achieve that fully, and of cos, this refers to the modern day cultivated people too. In today’s cultivation World, I can say only a very small number of such cultivated people achieve in this Acceptance-practice.

So how to accept what ever one self can’t accept?

First, by practicing self-realizing. By doing self realizing, one self needed to study on the issues closely. Look into the details of why one self can’t accept, find the root of the not-accepting-pushing-force, once the root is being realized, try to disconnect it with one self’s cultivation will or seeking another high one self to assist in the disconnecting.

For example, due to insulting, one self cannot accept the other self. If one self can study deeper into the case, he/she will know why such insults happened, whether it’s because one self ever insulted the other party before or the things that one self said had hurt the other party, etc.

If either of the cases happened, try to make apologize to the other party for forgiving and if the other party will to accept one self’s apologize, then one self will be accepted and the things that one self involved will be accepted by all people around one self and the other party’s surrounding people, etc.

While doing self realizing for such cases, one self must always stay calm and always stay alert with an open-mind, cos only by having that, one self can have a clearer mind to study on the issues, etc.

Second, be Humble. This may sounds a bit out of topic, but this is one of the few important factors that affect one self to be accepted by the other selves.

To be Humble as in the sense of willingly to take in any comments, complains or even reprimands.

By willingly and openly accepting such actions, one self will realize the mistakes that one self had made. From there, if one self will to make changes accordingly, he/she will be able to accept what ever the other selves can’t accept on and to achieve in the cultivation of accepting what ever can’t be accepted.

Third, be Tough. Tough as in withholding the determination in believing that one self accept what ever can’t be accepted and one self will be accepted by the Whole.

This Tough, some times can be really tough, cos not much selves can really have that good determination in withholding his/her believe till the last moment.  

Usually during such “withholdings”, one self will encounter with a lot of external pushing-factors (can be positive or negative) that cause one self of losing the determination and end up, choose to give up.

 

Once such thoughts are being created in one self’s mind, then he/she will not be able to concentrate. In order to concentrate, one self must strongly believed that, by really holding on to what one self’s believe, he/she will be able to enjoy the “result of being accepted” in a short period.

Accepting the un-acceptable issues can make one self more mature in order to proceed to another level of cultivation.

By accepting the un-acceptable issues, can also make one self succeed in whatever he/she never succeed before.

In conclusion, always try one’s best to accept whatever that he/she thinks that cannot be accepted. If one self never try to accept the things that he/she thinks that it’s difficult to accept, one self will never know that what is accepting.