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As most of our local Taoists & Chinese know that, recently, Sintuas (神壇 Folks Taoist Religious Groups) in Singapore are facing quite a lot of un-expected Issues, such as Political Issues & also, arguements among Main Stream Taoism & them.
While I was being engaged to visit to such Sintuas to do some advising and observing, I realised quite a number of Hidden Obstacles & Issues that lead to Human & Spiritual Factors.
Such Obstacles & Issues are as followed:
1) Engaging Non-Taoist Priests/Masters/Teachers to perform the necessary Rituals/Ceremonies during their Main Celebration/Important Dates.
If such will be continued, First Issue that the Sintua will faced will be, Deities leaving the Statues and then, encountering Spiritual Armies to go into a Chaotic Situation.
2) Did Engaged Taoist Priests/Masters to perform the Full-Cycle Enhancing Ritual/Ceremony (十二年輪補法事). This is a Rare Taoist Ritual/Ceremony, for the moment, only left with very Senior Taoist Priests knowing of the Methods & Skills in performing it.
If this Full-Cycle Enhancing Ritual/Ceremony is not being conducted, then the Annual Taoist Ritual/Ceremony conducted at the Sintua/Temple is considered as Useless.
3) Honouring Five Directional Spiritual Armies (五營神兵), but yet, using the Non-Taoist Ways of giving Offering.
This is one of the Serious Issues. Many Sintuas tend to Skip-steps or being Lazy, whenever the Honouring of Spiritual Armies is needed, they will just use Vegetarian Dishes or worst, just using Fruits to honour them. This is actually bringing DISASTER to the Sintua.
Another issue is that, DO NOT play Non-Taoist Music/Chanting on the Main Altar & Five Directional Spiritual Armies' Altar, this will cause alot of Un-necessary Distraction and might End-up, Arguement & Dis-agreement.
4) Blindly-followed what the Upper Generation pass-down to them. Especially ways of Conducting Spiritual Skills & Chanting.
This can also considered as One of the Worst Thing in some Sintuas. Chanting without knowing the Actual meaning or Performing the Spiritual Skills without knowing Why or When is needed, etc.
5) Engaging Non-recognised or Un-official People to guide on the New Mediums or Committee Members in the Sintua.
This will somehow create Future Arguements & Fightings in the Sintuas. Worst, it will cause the Sintua to Break-up and end up the Sintua's Name disappear from our Local History.
According to the Ancient Mediumship Records (for Human serving Deities as in Medium-form), there are 3 Things that A Master/Teacher shall know:
5.1) Decree from Heaven aka Tian Ling (天令), if the Person who you Engaged is not able to perform this Inviting of Heavenly Decree and show it to you All, then this Person is not being Officially Trained or is a Con-man
5.2) Hand-symbol aka Mudra of Meng Wei (盟威訣), a Trained Mediumship Master or Teacher must at least go thru the Official Taoism Training. If the Person is not able to show you the Mudra, then he is just a Folks Con-man that use the Name of Master to go around making Trouble for the Mediums, so do be careful
5.3) The Taoist Six Mantras aka Liu Shen Zhou (六神咒), this is again the Basic Mantras that the a Mediumship Master/Teacher MUST know in-order to issue Talismans to a New Medium or a Medium who has not being getting In-trance for years. If the Person is not able to tell you what are the 6 Mantras, then it is a Con-man again
Summarizing:
For those who are Interested in Opening Up of Sintuas or Maintaining of Sintuas, my Advise is that, get the Correct Person & Official Person to get Advises. Do not think that ALL these are Troublesome or Un-necessary.
Some People will only Regret & Put-blames on Others when things happened and why, dont such People do their Best to Prevent it.
Last of ALL, ALL the BEST to ALL Sintuas.
taoist association should come out with some scheme to monitor local taoist organisation, making sure that that procedures they are doing is still within the framework of the mainstream..
ReplyDeletein order to do this, temples and sintua will be made compusory to join the association and this in turn will make the association strong and can have a better position in looking after the welfare of its members..
i think this is a chance given by our deities for us to revamp the religion, 有威机才有转机..
Yes, what you mentioned is correct, but too bad is that, too many Taoist Association after setting up, become more Commercialize and at the end, operate the Association like a Business Company. And this is why, alot of issues happen today.
ReplyDeleteI think, Religion shall really separate from Political Issue & Money-making, if not, no matter how many Taoist Association set-up, after 12 years, it will close down again.
Hi Shifu, I feel always sad, when I hear about commercialization of upright religion. :-(
ReplyDeleteWhat is the mandarin pinyin of "Sintua"?
What is the difference between Sintua and Temple?
And why "after 12 years" it will close again? Does the number 12 have special meaning?
Thx in advance.
Sintua in Chinese Pin Yin is known as Shen Tan. Part of the Taoist Practise, you may wish to visit the following link to know more:
ReplyDeletehttp://javewu.multiply.com/journal/item/150
When a Person who is not an Official Taoist Practioner and is being appointed as the Leader of the Taoist Society, things will starts to become astray. This happened not only now but also in the Ancient Era. But Human is one of the worst Animal in the Universe - never Learn from Mistakes.
Now, when things happen, then this type of Worst Animal will start to push blame.
In-order not to allow such Commercialization to happen, in the future, no matter where in this Universe, we shall get the Best Candidate to be the Leader.
I agreed, pray kun cheong cannot just pray fruits..i have seen one sintua is singapore practising that.Their devotees are getting lesser and lesser . Devotees prayers do not come true.
ReplyDeleteBro Jave , sometimes , i abit don't understand ..... Why now u ok with sintua liao... While in the past you avoid sintua by all means? Is anything happen? or it time for you to do something.... HAha just curious
ReplyDeleteAnd one more question, u mention Singapore Taoist Association will fall in 12yrs cycle ? Really meh...link with the 十二年輪補法事??
ReplyDeleteHi,if those interested in starting or maintaining of sin tua,will u assist them without any benefit or will u make use of the current Sintuas Chaos situtation to earn money or become commercialise?I'm just curious asking.
ReplyDeleteBro, which Tua are you assisting now?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the difference in stuffs taught to them?
LSM is not a profit or commercialise organization and jave is never the type to do things for personal benefits. only for the sake of taoism is he doin all these.
ReplyDeleteI agreed, Master Jave is not 1 who would do things for selfish gains but is a kind and sincere person who wishes to help out of his love and responsibility towards taoism. I had said all these cause I had witness that he had helped people without any selfish intention.
ReplyDeleteHahaha, to be more accurate, I never avoid Sintuas, but do not wish to get involve in Sintuas. This is due to the Preaching and Advises pass-down by our LSM Ancestors & also, Taoist Forefathers. Cos in their Predictions, Sintuas will reach a Stage of Destroying in this Era (maybe is now or in near Future), which will bring harm to alot of Devotees or even Destroy the whole Culture.
ReplyDeleteWith me, I got tons of records of Skills for Sintuas & its Culture, but I never like to use them, for those who know me, they will always heard I say this, I rather burn them off then to pass-down, cos the Sintua Society now is too chaotic & messy and till today, I have yet to find someone who is able to take over the Leadership of the Sintua Society.
For me, Sintua is still part of the Taoist Culture, no one can eliminate it or take it out, but, it shall be Guide Officially & Uprightly.
Not only Spore Taoist Association, but ALL Taoist Groups in the Whole World. This is why, we have a set of Ritual/Ceremony being pass-down to assist Sintuas or other Taoist Groups to overcome this "critical period".
ReplyDeleteI think I did mention to you when I'm at your Tua, but dont know whether you heard it.
Hahaha, if Jave Wu or LSM will to take Money, I think I will be just like those who being Boycotted now in the Taoist Society.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, do not worry about the Money Issue, cos when you approach me, you will know.
Too many for the Moment and I'm happy & proud to say that, these Sintuas indeed worth assisting.
ReplyDeleteToo many stuffs I have impart to them. Some of them are starting to use it since the Day I went to observe on their Tuas.
I must really Thank them for following my Advises.
Thanks Jin & Gerald :P
ReplyDeleteMaybe they are just asking to find out more. Nothing serious.
I heard kun cheong does not need to burn many joss paper for them. However should prepare more food to reward them so that they are strong enough to support the tua/ devotees.
ReplyDeleteYes, during the Rewarding Ceremony, the Taoist Priests will invite a Special Deity/Immortal to enhance on the Paper Offerings & then after burning, the Paper will be Multiply in Folds. This is how an Official Taoist Ritual shall be conducted and not encouraging People to burn more.
ReplyDeleteOic...Sintuas will reach a Stage of Destroying in this Era .. Is this events coming soon? And you mention "" I have yet to find someone who is able to take over the Leadership of the Sintua Society."" You mean you are finding someone to train and become a leader to control the singapore sintua society? Its a very big plan ahead . Sintua is still part of the Taoist Culture, no one can eliminate it or take it out, Its true.. Not like STF wishy washy
ReplyDeleteYa i remember.. But i thought this is only for sintua? You mean STF is not doing this 十二年輪補法事?
ReplyDeleteAnd it will make it fall in 12yr cycle . Hmmm. STF set up 1990. Already 19yrs .... Their days ending soon?
One thing i still don't get it is , Y STF does not use or perform this 十二年輪補法事 ritual .As a head of taoism in Singapore , they will have priest or master there .. But why they don't know about this ritual?
Agreed with you , now is in a mess. Head does not know what to do and don;t know what they are doing. When they just start up setting up STF . They call every one from sintua to join.. Mention all sintua are taoism . Now things happen. Pushing away .They now mention Medium and taoism is a different things.. Can tell you. Sintua culture are messy .. Official main stream Taoism Are also messy....
No need me to train when time is up, the leader will pop out himself. Definitely not in near future.
ReplyDeleteNo, this refers to ALL. Just that, seldom people will mentioned to the others.
ReplyDeleteWhether they perform it, I'm not quite sure. But now, seems like it is useless to them, cos too many Human Factors are affecting them.
One thing I need to clarify is that, Main Stream Taoism is not Messy, but the People who involve in are Messy. If they will to just follow the Procedures & Steps that being pass-down, today, our Local Main Stream Taoism will have shines, but too way, People are using it to gain Fame & Commercial Value.
Just to enquire,for the Full Cycle Enhance Ritual,u said that only those senior priest know how to do that.Is there any High Senior Taoist Priest in singapore are qualify or capable of conducting this ritual?Can u name some?so that can share with all those fellows Sin tua followers,when they need to conduct this ritual. Secondly how to prove that this taoist priest know how to conduct this ritual,bcos during the ritual majority people don't know what they r chanting,how we know they r chanting or doing the right ritual?U know lah,now days got so many CON MAN,even their appearance look friendly or helpful without any repay,in future they gain your trust they can CON u easily,am i right? Lastly,do u consider yourself as a Experience Senior Taoist Priest that can conduct this ritual?As i know,u r the only for the time being know this ritual,whether this Ritual in traditional really exist or not nobody know.Thanks
ReplyDeleteIt will be good for you to go ask around, cos for me to name them will sounds that I become bias and at the end, causing more issues for the other Priest Groups. I'm sure you will be able to find some in the Taoist Society in Singapore. If you cant find any, feel free to approach me after that. I'm sure LSM is able to assist you or other Sintuas, cos LSM has been using this Set of Ritual/Ceremony to assist quite a number of Sintuas & Taoist Groups since it came into Spore in 181 Years Ago.
ReplyDeleteCon-man or not, this is another issue, cos even High Priest can use the Name of Taoism to make Money, this is a Reality Issue. Around me, there are too many and I can said, un-countable. But if you are fated to have someone who is Sincere to assist you, definitely you will find one or your Main Deity will send you to you.
This depend on your Sincerity & also your Faithfulness, if not, forever, you wont be able to find one.
i forgot in rat or pig year, something was conducted at redhill mrt station. Its regarding something about a 12 year cycle blessing ritual.is that what you are mentioning abt?
ReplyDeleteThat type is one of it. Not bad that you can still remember that :P
ReplyDeleteSomething to add, a Grand Scale Ritual for such 12 Yrs Cycle Ritual can take from 3 - 15 Days, see how Grand the Members want it to be.
ReplyDeleteFor the moment, the one that i conducted for Small Scale Sintua only take 1 Day.
so this particular ritual cant represent whole of singapore to enhance all the sintuas, that u mentioned is a must? hah cause if sintuas were to conduct this particular ritual every zodiac cycles, and this ritual must take place at the particular year, i guess we have to go and outsource high skilled senior priests from china.
ReplyDeleteNo, each Individual Sintua must have this Ritual to be conducted with the Present of the Members & the Mediums, not Conducting One to Enhance ALL the Sintuas in Singapore. This is not possible and cant be fulfilled.
ReplyDeleteUsually such Ritual shall be conducted at the 10th Year to the 12th Year, before the 12 Yrs Cycle ended.
anyway i read abt the event b4, erm to me its more commericial than its suppose to be "more enhancing and blessing". so yup . =0
ReplyDeletedoes china mediumship have such enhancing rituals as well every zodiac year?
Yup, maybe the one you saw is indeed "Commercial", this is why, I dont really like to mention those who conduct it outside. Too bad, I can said that, some of them really put a Bad Name to the Teaching of Taoism.
ReplyDeleteALL over the World have to conduct this Ritual, no matter how Old the History of the Tua is.
ha yeah i know ur meaning, all have to but does they follow strictly, even those we deem as ancestral temples in china who still practise mediumship? cause we all know, sintua, yes its part of taoist culture, it seems that it cant integrate into mainstream taoist all along.
ReplyDeleteYup, just like I say, actually ALL Schools & Sects in Taoism is Simple & Easy, cos ALL the Steps & Procedures are being set & pass-down by our Ancestors. But too bad, they are still Black-sheeps who wanted to change & then claimed that they are the Accurate One. This is why, Taoism in the Whole World is facing a Down-fall.
ReplyDeleteAnd to be more Accurate, while a Priest performing such Ritual, they cant even get a Single Cent, cos it is the 1st Rule/Taboo for such Ritual.
At the end of the Ritual, the Priest will only request for 3 items in return and usually these 3 items are not Money-related Items.
So for those who engaged Priests in performing such Ritual, remember to ask them what are the 3 Items that wanted in return, from there, you all will know whether the Priest is a Con-man or Not.
oo that interesting =) haha if u conduct, what are the three things you will want in exchange for conducting the ritual. but erm to me, i tried participating in a celebration of a temple,and it seems that... to be more realistic, how to not get a single cent when conducting the rituals. and even if they get the money, think quite unfair to term them as con man ba.
ReplyDeleteCon-man as in term getting more money than they suppose to get in-return.
ReplyDeleteNowadays, most of the Priests are "Full Time" Priests, meaning that, they can only get Income when People engaged them, if not, they will go Penniless for that Month, this type of Priest is definitely not Con-man. Such Priests on Working-basis.
Another type is that, Priests are promoting the Culture & Teaching, they are not earning thru performing Ritual. Such Priests usually have their own Personal Jobs, some of them can be either Professionals, Working Adults or Students.
For the 3 items, I will followed the Ancient Methods:
1) 5 Bushes of Rice
2) 2 Bottles of Rice Wine
3) 1 set of Oranges
These 3 Items will be used to Honour our Deities after the Ritual.
That's mean that u r able to perform this ritual.Small scale Sintua only 1 day,so if affordable to pay extra,means that can conduct more days.So actually how many days is the actual FULL ritual takes,is 1 day consider a FULL ritual,If yes,is it necessary for the Sintua to conduct a 3-15days ritual?Or is it a repeating ritual for the rest of the days?More days mean ,will let everyone feel more satisfied & they might think they will gain more merit & the priest also will gain more.i think there is a standard duration right?I just want to know what's the necessary original duration of this ritual,is it necessary to waste money for repeating the same ritual for rest of the day.Pls share we us so that our fellow Sintua don't need to waste unnecessary money,better to put those money into better use.thanks
ReplyDeleteUsually for such Rituals, No Repeating can be done cos different Days, different Reporting will be made to different Deities & Departments.
ReplyDeleteCost involved will only be in the Food Offerings, Paper Offerings, Tentage and maybe on the Man-power.
As in 1 Day Ritual, Reporting & Offering-made to Deities will also be conducted. Due to now, most of the Sintuas/Temples do not have time for More Days, so many things cannot be done.
For Priests, we dont need to gain any form of Merits from these type of Rituals/Ceremonies, our main Objective is to assist the Sintuas/Temples & Devotees.
U said that DO NOT play non-taoist music/chanting on the Main altar,will cause unnecessary distraction.But i notice many taoist temple invite buddhist monk to chant in front of the main altar occasionally,already some many years,i don't notice anything bad occur to them,instead the temple become more n more prosperity.I few that all taoist deities cultivate till such high level that human need to worship them,i don't think that a simple normal Non-taoist music/chanting can cause unnecessary distraction,Sorry if yes,i few this taoist deities will-power is very weak,human will-power r much more better than them.But i don't think this taoist deities r like that.
ReplyDeleteYup, maybe. It will be Great if the Temple is not Affected.
ReplyDeleteBro,How we know that the priest we engaged are official ? or whether they are conman or truly a official priest? In sintua , it difficult to see as we are usually not well verse in Offical Taoism method...
ReplyDeleteDo not worry about this Issue. As long as you all engaged, you all will know. If not, when you all are going to engage Taoist Priest, let me know, I will give you all guidance.
ReplyDeleteBut , Almost every priest in singapore we engaged, need a price. I doubt there is any priest in singapore will do the ritual ,any ritual for us for just this 3 simple stuff.... Bro Jave singapore IS reality .... every thing Cos $$$$ you should know right
ReplyDeleteIf u say no....... i think you are either saint or .................Hope you are saint......
ReplyDeleteHahaha, I know what you mean. Like I say, most of the Priests in Singapore are performing Rituals for a Living, I cant say that this is Wrong or either Right.
ReplyDeleteAs for me, definitely, I have my own Jobs & Careers, so I can somehow perform Rituals for Sintuas/Temples without any form of Engagement Fee.
Yes, ALL these are Reality, but to me, Promoting the Culture & Up-holding the Name of Taoism is more Important.
For me, I'm not Saint neither Sage, just that, I dont wish to get too Commercial.