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Due to Di Ji Zhu is a form of Cultivation Being, so till today, nothing serious had happened to these People. This is quite a Fortunate Blessing. In-order to assist Di Ji Zhu in getting his/her Official Title back again, in here, I will like to do a quick Introduction on Di Ji Zhu.
Di Ji Zhu, in Hokkien known as Thay Kee Choo, in Cantonese known as Kha Shan. On every Month-end or during Big Festivals such as Lunar New Year Eve, Dumpling Festival, etc, we as Taoists & Chinese will needed to prepare some simple Offerings to offer to them. This is to show our Gratitude to the Di Ji Zhu for giving us the Necessary Blessing at Home.
So Who actually is Di Ji Zhu?
Di Ji Zhu, the Home Spirit or so-called Home Spirit Deity that stayed in One's Home to do protection for the People who stayed in the House.
Such Spirit Deities are actually Cultivated Spirits (before that might be Wandering Souls) whom being Appointed by Cheng Huang aka City Deity (城隍尊神) or Tu Di aka Earth Deity (土地地祗) to Stay-guard at One's home.
Some believed that, Di Ji Zhu might also be the Previous Owner of the House (this apply to Ancient Era, not Now). After the House-owner pass-on, the Soul was not willing to leave the Premises and so, the Soul was given a Chance to Stay-guard in the House to Bless the next Owner or the Family Members.
According to Chinese Culture, Di Ji Zhu will also needed to Step-down from their Post when their Serving-period is up. Usually the Serving-period is about 60 Years (一甲子). Once 60 Years is up, Cheng Huang or Tu Di will appoint another Di Ji Zhu to report to the House before the Old-one 'Retired'.
So How a Di Ji Zhu entered into One's Home?
Upon getting the Appointment from Cheng Huang or Tu Di, the Di Ji Zhu will needed to reach the House on the Appointed Date.
By then, Di Ji Zhu will needed to report to the Door Deities (門神) first in-order to gain the Access into the House.
Secondly, the Di Ji Zhu will needed to pay respect to the Main Home Deities (家中主神) and then Ancestors and last, reside in the Kitchen Area, working near Kitchen Deity 灶神 (This is why, the Folks also Address Di Ji Zhu as Hou Fang Gong aka Au Buey Kong in mistake).
So When shall we Pay Respect to Di Ji Zhu?
If the Family had moved into the New House, then every Month, the Family shall Offered some Offerings to Di Ji Zhu on every Lunar Month-end (農曆月尾).
If the Family had yet to move into the New House, on the First trip to the New House, oneself or the Family Members must prepared something easy to pay respect to the Earth Deity and Di Ji Zhu.
Usually the Offerings are:
A set of 5 Oranges (五顆桔子)
A Huat Kueh (一個發糕)
A pair of Red Candles (一對紅燭)
A set of 3 Long Incenses (三支大香)
3 stacks of Shou Jin aka San Bao Jin (三疊三寶金/壽金)
A set of Tu Di Jin (一份土地金)
Once entering into the New House, First, located the Center Direction of the House and then lay-out the Offerings on the Floor.
After laying-out, Starts to Pay Respect to the Earth Deity and Di Ji Zhu, starting from the East Direction – South – West – North and then back to Center.
Upon completing, burn the Paper-offerings on the Floor and then oneself or the Family Members can go around the House to take a look. Once the looking around is completed, leave the House and let the Offerings lay on the Floor. Only on the Next trip, then retrieve the Offerings and put them under a Tree or throw them into the Burning-container under any Blocks.
So Who are NOT allow to Pay Respect to Di Ji Zhu?
Usually ALL of you, as a Taoist or Chinese, are Allowed to Pay Respect to Di Ji Zhu, but if your Home doesnt Pay Respect to Di Ji Zhu before you all moved in, then this Honouring shall not take place after you all move in, cos once the Family does that, the Family might attract other Wanderings into the Home if it is not Done Properly.
In-order to invite in the Positive Di Ji Zhu, oneself or the Family Members shall engaged a Trained or Official Taoist Priest to do the Invitation.
So What is the Outlook of a Di Ji Zhu?
In Records, Di Ji Zhu appeared in 2 Forms:
Old Man Form
Young Child Form
But after Years of Evolutions, Di Ji Zhu also changed accordingly. Now, from what are being observed, Di Ji Zhu can appeared in any Forms, this is why, now, we commented that Di Ji Zhu can be a Lady too.
In Summary
Di Ji Zhu, is not any 'Layman Wandering' but a Cultivated Being that stay in One's House to look after the People staying in there.
Do not get mistaken that Di Ji Zhu is Ghost that stayed in the House to do nasty stuffs to the People.
Once a Di Ji Zhu being Chase-off, One's House will be considered as 'Empty' and any other Wanderings can just entered and take-over the Position of Di Ji Zhu. If this will to happen, then the Family might encountered issues that are Negative or Bad.
Do not engaged Spiritual People to do Cleansing for the Home without Proper Chanting & Reporting to the Earth Deity & Di Ji Zhu, cos such People might accidentally Chase Di Ji Zhu off.
Last of All, stay well and work closely with Di Ji Zhu. When Di Ji Zhu is happy, you will see Red Light shining in the Kitchen.
Wu Liang Shou (無量壽)
Something to add on, Di Ji Zhu do not have a physical tablet...Cause in the past I always thought the tablet (with 五方龙神,etc. written on it) below the altar is Di Ji Zhu, but until you recently enlighten me about it...that tablet is actually a tablet dedicated to the area Tu Di Gong... =) Do you know why people don't have a tablet for Di Ji Zhu?
ReplyDeleteI heard that if we pay respect to Di Ji Zhu, we must put the offerings on a short and small table because so that the Di Ji Zhu can reach the offerings as they are short and small in size...Is it true or a myth?
Just for your info Shifu Jave, I think I have seen my home's 地基主. They looked like 2 child. I saw them once out of the blue, from the back of my eye, and they went behind the 地主公 tablet. So I deduce that the di ji zhu not necessary dwell in the kitchen, they can dwell anywhere inside the home. It makes sense as I'm sure 地主公公 and 五方龍神 won't be around always, they may have other things to do.... so the di ji zhu could just go in and out...
ReplyDeleteThe 2 of them that you see are not Di Ji Zhu. There are just 2 Kids Souls that reside near the Tablet of Tu Di to get the necessary Offerings from you all.
ReplyDeleteDi Ji Zhu will only come in 1 and not 2, cos thru testing & confirmation, Cheng Huang or Tu Di will only Select 1 Di Ji Zhu for each Taoist or Chinese Home.
Next time you see them again, remember to politely ask them to proceed to other SPiritual Venues.
Yup, Di Ji Zhu does not have a Physical or Permanent Tablet, cos for Di Ji Zhu's Ranking now, they are not able to receive such Benefits. But in some Big Official Taoist Temples, the Priests do dedicate a Small Written Paper for them, cos this is to assist such Di Ji Zhu to get their necessary Blessing faster from the Heaven, Deities and also the Taoists.
ReplyDeleteFor the Small Table, yup. Cos in Chinese Culture, we believed that some Di Ji Zhu are Kids only, so we cant placed the Offerings at High-legged Table.
This is why, in some Families, while they prepare Offerings for Di Ji Zhu, they will also add in some candies or crackers, in-case the Di Ji Zhu in the Home is a Kid, then such Children Offerings will be in good use.
Thank you for your advice Shifu Jave. There's a jade emperor temple nearby my home. Can I tell them to go there so they can receive merit and benefit? I too would like to them to be in a better place than to wander around...
ReplyDeleteThat will be Great. Cos sometime, when your home emitted Good Energies, such Little Naughty Souls will tend to come near to receive them, unlike the 'Adult Souls', they know of the Consequences, so they might not dare to mingle around.
ReplyDeleteDo not be afraid of such little kids, they are of no harm, just a little playful.
Politely ask them to go to Temples to stay there or ask Tu Di to bring them there. This will benefit them.
Thanks again Shifu Jave. I will ask Tu Di Gong to intercede (be middle man) so old tu di will bring them to Yu Wang Miao for better guidance.
ReplyDeleteHi javewu
ReplyDeleteMay I know who is Di Zhu Gong地主公.....is he Tu Di Gong? Beside how could one make offering to 地主公 if we don't have one those red tablet in my home.
Di Zhu Gong & Tu Di Gong are the same.
ReplyDeleteUnless you are refering to Di Ji Zhu, then they are different.
For honouring of Di Zhu Gong aka Tu Di Gong, its easy, just use 5 oranges, 1 set of Jian Hup & Tea Leaves, 3 Incenses & 1 pair of Candles and 1 stack of San Bao Jin/Shou Jin. Go outside your house and Bai Bai, everything will be ok.
Hi Javewu,
ReplyDeleteIs it advisable for honouring or paying respect when there is no altar of Tu Di Gong in house.Does the honouring or offering of food,incense outside not attract other things or wanderings things to the house?
If you do not have an Altar at home, then best to honour Tu Di outside the House. As long as you do it in a proper way, it will be fine.
ReplyDeleteThanks Javewu.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the proper way?
Do it outside the House on 2nd & 16th Day of the Lunar Month. Do it before Sunset.
ReplyDeletePrepare the necessary Offerings and call upon Tu Di Gong. Once after reporting whatever you want to request, burn off the Paper Offerings and it will considered as ok.
The honouring should be at front of the house,it cannot be at the back of the house,right?
ReplyDeleteCan the offerings being made on the ground level or on a small table?
Is it not good when you can't get or offer the necessary paper offerings?
Thanks.
For Tu Di will be infront of the House and for Di Ji Zhu will be at the back of the House, so Oneself must differentiate it.
ReplyDeleteJust leave it on the Floor will do, but some people will use to Big Red Plate to carry the Offerings, this also can.
If cant get the Necessary Paper Offerings, then just use 3 stacks of Shou Jin will do.
Should the offerings be on the left side in front of the house like the dragonside of the front/front door or does it not matter as long its at the front of house?
ReplyDeleteThanks Javewu.
Just do it at the front area, left or right doesnt matters.
ReplyDeleteHi Javewu,
ReplyDeleteIf can't find Shou Jin is a stack of Kai Lu Qian Ok?
Hmmm, cant find Shou Jin, this is impossible, I think you will need to try your Best. If no Shou Jin, ask the shop whether they got San Bao Jin (三寶金).
ReplyDeleteKai Lu Qian is just a very small amount of Money, so might not be enough.
In the shops i could only find Kai Lu Qian and Zu Jin and some other offerings.
ReplyDeleteI'll try harder or somewhere else.
Thanks Javew.
Hi Javew,
ReplyDeleteCan the Jian Hup be replaced by candy or candied fruit.
Outside When the offerings are given whats normal the best time to clean or pick the offerings up?
After an Hour or 20 min?
This Saturday its the 15th of the 8th,should i honour this Saturday and Sunday?Or Sunday is enough?
Thanks Javew.
Hi od,
ReplyDeleteYou can replaced them with Candies.
As for the outdoor offerings, usually we will clean them after a day.
Try to do it on the Sunday for Di Ji Zhu.
Hi Javew,
ReplyDeleteThe last time when honouring Tu Di G,when finished i stood up and at the same a hedgehog came in my front garden through the opening or frontgate(its open) it looks like it was walking towards my direction and the offerings then it saw me and the hedgehog hide under a bush close to the frontdoor.
After 30min (looking from the inside)or so i saw it walking through the frontyard.
I do find it significant on the way he was walking toward me and through the garden at the same time when honouring...
Is this maybe a good sign of honouring or offerings being accepted by Tu DiGong or not?
Thanks
Do not worry too much. As long as while doing the honouring, no bad issues happened, then the honouring will be considered as a Good One.
ReplyDeleteHi Javew,
ReplyDeleteYou said honouring should be before sunset then that means i should start after sunrise,is that right?Because where i live during the winter season the sun rises between 7/8 in the morning in Oct and around the wintersolstice between 8 and 9 AM(officially)
I have done the honouring in the early mornings(around 5am-5:30) because around that time i am almost finished and ready to go.
I'm a bit uncertain if its unfavorable or to early?
Thanks
Yup, just according to the available of the Sun Light at your area.
ReplyDeletehi Jave
ReplyDeleteR we supoosed to honor the TU DI GONG on the 1st & 15th or 2nd & 16th of each Lunar month? is there any between the both? Please advise
1st & 15th will be the best. Due to folks culture being involved, now alot of the Chinese tend to honour them on the 2nd & 16th.
ReplyDeleteHi Jave, Is it Di Ji Zhu same as Di Zhu Ye (地主爷) (Teochew dialect: Di Zu Ya) that easily found on many shop, places on the floor, and people like to give offerings pineapple??
ReplyDeleteNo, they are different.
ReplyDeleteni hao shi fu
ReplyDeletei have bought the house. there have a small di ji zhu Shrine.
like this http://blog.roodo.com/rebecca1211/d31093d1.jpg
but i wanna use this area
i want to move the shrine out from my house but i still want to pay respect to di ji zhu.
so how shall we do with them?
This is not Di Ji Zhu, so you can move it outside.
ReplyDeleteDi Ji Zhu only stay inside the Kitchen.
Hi Jave
ReplyDeleteRecently, I had a dreamed of a pass on member of the household requesting that us to step up an 地主公 altar in the specific kitchen floor area so that he can continue to get the offering.
Please advise if it is possible that a pass on member of the house can become a Di Zhu Gong or Di Ji Zhu of the house?
Its possible, but this will need alot of communication and rituals in-order to finalize.
ReplyDeleteDear Jave, can i check if i need to pray to Di Ji Zu at my new office before i move in? I see from this blog that mostly are offering at home only, please enlighten me as i am about to move to a new office by end of Feb 2011. I hope to get a good business blessing
ReplyDeleteDear Dylan,
ReplyDeleteNew Office need to honour, but is for another group - which is the Wandering, many things will be needed.
Maybe we can discuss further at my email javecxwu@gmail.com