Xie Dong (謝冬) aka the Starts of the Year End Thanksgiving Ceremony in Chinese Culture or Taoist Culture.
From the Day of Dong Zhi (冬至) aka Winter Solstice, the Thanksgiving Ceremony is considered Officially Started.
For Xie Dong, it is the first stage of the Thanksgiving Ceremony – the other 2 are:
Major Thanksgiving Ceremony is on 16th Day of Lunar 12 Month (農曆十二月十六日)
&
Last Thanksgiving Ceremony is on the Lunar New Year Eve known as Ci Sui (辭歲).
So when Xie Dong Ends?
According to Chinese Practise, Xie Dong starts on Dong Zhi Day and will usually Ends at the Last Day of Lunar 11 Month (農曆十一月末).
Why Xie Dong starts from Dong Zhi?
There are a few reasons:
1 – Dong Zhi marks the Peak of Winter and after this Day, Spring will be on the way back to this Mortal Realm. By choosing Dong Zhi as the start of the Xie Dong, it means that, People can start to slowly Send-off the Cold Winter and Usher-in the Gentle & Warm Spring
2 – In Astrology point of View, after Dong Zhi Day, the Daylight/Daytime will slowly increase and it will mark an end to the “Long” Nightlight/Night-time. In Taoism, this is a form of Transition, meaning Over-turning Negative aka Yin (陰) to Positive aka Yang (陽). This is considered as a form of New Cycle and also, a Joyous Moment and so, by marking Dong Zhi as Xie Dong, it means that everything will be meeting an End soon and a New Start will be arriving in No time
So usually who are the Targeted Honouring Group that Taoists or Chinese will offer their Thanksgiving to?
Usually during this Xie Dong Period, the Taoists or Chinese will visit Temples that they had visited to request for Blessing for the past 10 Months.
As for the most Frequent Visiting Temples, the Thanksgiving will usually be done on the 16th Day of Lunar 12 Month.
So what are the Offerings that Oneself needed to prepare for this Xie Dong?
To keep things simple, for those who are returning back to the Temples that they had visited during the past 10 Months, Oneself can just get the Incense-package from the Temples to make their Offering, if not, Oneself just needed to make a small token of Contribution to the Temples as a form of Sincerity of returning Gratitude to the Deities.
If Oneself is not able to conduct the Xie Dong Honouring, is it ok?
Due to Modernisation and working restriction, if Oneself is not able to conduct the Xie Dong Honouring, then Oneself can combine the Thanksgiving Honouring during the 16th Day of Lunar 12 Month or from the period in between 16th Day of Lunar 12 Month to the Day before Lunar New Year Eve.
Happy Dong Zhi Day to all of you here (恭祝各界。冬至快樂).
Its again the arrival of Dong Zhi Day. As usual, Jave Wu had to follow the Tradition to prepare the Sweet Dumplings aka Tang Yuan (湯圓) for the Honouring of Long Shan Men’s Deities & Ancestors (正一龍山門壇上聖真與歷代祖師).
At about 9am in the Morning, Jave’s Mum had started to prepare the Sweet Soup (甜湯) for the cooking of the Tang Yuan.
By the time Jave was ready to do the Tang Yuan, both of us had put in both our “four hands” to do the little Red & White Balls aka Jin Yin Yuan (金銀圓).
At about 10.30Am, all Tang Yuan were being cooked and ready for Offering to the Deities (in each bowl must be 9 or 12 quantity of the Tang Yuan, 9 to represent Long Term & Prosperity, 12 to represent Smoothness for the next Lunar New Year 一碗湯圓應有九或十二粒。九者長久富貴﹐十二者一年興旺).
Its again, another year of wonderful experiences and time for reflection.
PS: Honouring in LSM HQ (正一龍山門總壇) in the Noon. Rushing off for the Honouring now :P
For Higher Res Pictures, please proceed to this link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/taoism_deity_singapore_2007/photos/album/900878549/pic/list
In here, you all will be watching a short clip on the selective Dao De Jing (道德經) - Chapter One (選段第一章).
| Category: | Music & Movies |
| Price: | S$13.00 - S$15.00 |
Million Thanks to our Young Boss Mr Allen of Joo Moh Chiap Kee Trading (如茂捷記), located at 1 ROCHOR ROAD 01-538 ROCHOR CENTRE, for the assisting in importing in this series of Traditional Ba Yin Music CD (傳統八音音樂專輯) from Taiwan.
This series of 4 CDs on the Traditional Ba Yin Music are usually used during Grand Official Celebrations or Joyous Festivals such as Lunar New Year, Birthday, Wedding or even Taoist Rituals.
For Taoists, Temples or Sintuas, who are interested in getting this series of 4 CDs, do visit Joo Moh Chiap Kee as soon as possible as the stocks are running low.
For Overseas interested parties, please do call this number to find out more: +65 6297 0996
For Higher Res Pictures, please proceed to this link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/taoism_deity_singapore_2007/photos/album/2126794682/pic/list
17th Day of Lunar 11 Month is known as the Immortal-hood Anniversary of the 63rd Generation Heavenly Master Zhang En Pu (正一六十三代張恩溥天師).
To know more on Heavenly Master Zhang En Pu, you all may wish to visit the following link:
http://javewu.multiply.com/photos/album/23/23
Dong Zhi Day (冬至日) aka Winter Solstice Festival, in Year 2010, it falls on 22 Dec, a Wedensday (庚寅年農曆十一月十七日).
For those who have yet to perform your Thanksgiving to Lord Tai Sui (答謝太歲lease remember to do so before Dong Zhi arrived.
For more info on Winter Solstice Festival, you all may wish to proceed to the following links:
Introduction on Winter Solstice Festival (冬至年節簡介):
http://javewu.multiply.com/reviews/item/231
Do’s & Don’ts on Winter Solstice Day (冬至之禁忌):
http://javewu.multiply.com/reviews/item/342
11th Day of Lunar 11 Month (農曆十一月十一日 for Year 2010, it falls on 16 Dec, a Thursday) is considered as the Manifestation Anniversary of Salvation Heavenly Lord Tai Yi. The Main Deity that conducted the Salvation for the Pass-on, Wanderings & Suffering Souls.
In Taoist Funerals or 7th Month Celebration, Lord Tai Yi will be invited for the witnessing of the conducting of the Salvation Ritual, besides that, he is also being invited to evoke the Enhancing Energies for the Salvation of the Suffering Souls.
On 11th Day of Lunar 11 Month, this is the Day that we Taoists show our Sincere Gratitude to Lord Tai Yi for the efforts & hardship of leading our Ancestors and related Pass-on to the Eastern Palace for Eternal Joyous (東極青華長樂宮).
For those who are able to honour Lord Tai Yi, please do so. I'm sure Lord Tai Yi will be able to sense your Sincerity & Faithfulness.
Tai Yi Yuan Tong Bao (太乙元通寶), the Taoist Salvation of Souls/Spirits Money (類似” 道教往生錢”), will be introduced in Xin Mao Year (辛卯年 2011). This is a form of Paper Note that founded in Late Song Dynasty (宋末發起), Re-formatted in Ming Dynasty (明朝重制) and Peak-usage in Qing Dynasty (清朝高峰) and now, Jave Wu had re-brought it into the Taoist Society. In here, Jave wont be doing much introduction on that, do keep a close lookout on the posting in Year 2011.
More related Info on Lord Tai Yi:
Honouring of Lord Tai Yi -> http://javewu.multiply.com/reviews/item/227
Pictures of Lord Tai Yi -> http://javewu.multiply.com/photos/album/71
Video of Lord Tai Yi -> http://javewu.multiply.com/video/item/20/20
Praising Mantra of Lord Tai Yi -> http://javewu.multiply.com/journal/item/191/191
For Higher Res Picture, please proceed to this link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/taoism_deity_singapore_2007/photos/album/2000003141/pic/list
Upon request, here are some brief introductions on Zi Si Ye (子四爺).
In Chinese History, there are a few Zi Si Ye being mentioned, which these few Zi Si Ye can said to be quite famous in the History Records.
In here, I will start with the 1st Zi Si Ye;
1st Zi Si Ye, actual name known as Gu Zhi (固知), the 71st Generation Descendant of Premier Jiang Zi Ya of the Zhou Dynasty (周朝姜尚七十一代嫡孫).
In Records, Gu Zhi was being appointed as Ci Shi (刺史) aka Overall Inspector for the Imperial Court, which needed to go around to perform inspection on behalf of the Emperor and report back to the Imperial Court for further actions to be taken.
The 2nd Zi Si Ye was also a famous Person in Chinese History. He was the Descendant of Lu Tong (陸通), which Lu Tong, the Son of King Qi Xuan (齊宣王) in the Warring State Period (战国時期).
This Zi Si Ye got names of Lu Zhu (陆洙) and Lu Zi Si (陸子四/泗). Lu Zhu was born in Song Dynasty and at the age of 20, he passed his Imperial Examination and after a few years of serving the Nation, he was being appointed as the Official In-charge for the Salt-movement of the Country (盐官令) – this was an important Position in the Ancient Era, as trading of Salt was being strictly controlled by the Imperial Court.
During his Period of being the Official In-charge of the Salt-movement, Song Dynasty was in a chaotic situation whereas a lot of rebellious groups were out there trying to snatch properties from the commoners. The movement of Salt was the first to get affected.
While the Illegal Salt-traders were there to mark up the Price of the Salt, Lu Zhu came out to stop such illegal action despite the risk of getting killed. With his authority and his effort, Lu Zhu finally got all the Illegal Salt-traders to face their legal consequences and from then, Lu Zhu was being well-known and got strong support from the commoners.
After he pass-on, he was being honoured as Zi Si Ye (子泗爺) for his credits and merits.
In here, you all will be seeing a series of 3 pictures of the Parent of Xuan Tian Shang Di aka Xuan Tian Sheng Fu Mu (玄天上帝聖父母).
These Statues were believed to be made in Ming Dynasty (明朝) where the Peak Period of the Honouring & Believing of Xuan Tian Culture.
In CE 1314, which was the Yuan Dynasty, Emperor Ren Period (天仁宗延佑元年), the Parent of Xuan Tian Shang Di was being bestowed by the Yuan Empire as
Original Title: Xuan Tian Shang Di Sheng Fu Jing Le Tian Jun Ming Zhen Shang Di
(玄天上帝 聖父淨樂天君明真上帝)
Yuan Dynasty Title: Qi Yuan Long Qing Tian Jun Ming Zhen Da Di (啟元隆慶天君明真大帝)
Original Title: Xuan Tian Shang Di Sheng Mu Shan Sheng Huang Hou Qiong Zhen Shang Xian
(玄天上帝 聖母善勝皇后瓊真上仙)
Yuan Dynasty Title: Ci Ning Yu De Tian Hou Qiong Zhen Shang Xian (慈寧毓德天后瓊真上仙)
For Higher Res Pictures, please proceed to this link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/taoism_deity_singapore_2007/photos/album/1463980103/pic/list
The Great Praising of Ma Zu, a Taiwanese Song dedicating to Ma Zu (天上聖姆媽祖) - the Lord Empress of the Sea.
This Song was sang by Miss Cai Qiu Feng (蔡秋鳳), a famous Female Singer in Taiwan.
When Singapore Sembawang Tian Hou Temple (新加坡三巴旺天后廟) opened, she was here to pay respect and in the Temple, you will be able to hear this Song Non-stop playing for Ma Zu.
A Wonderful Song to listen too.
Thanks to Heavenly Bless and wonderful introduction by a faithful Taoist, South East Asia Xuan Tian Shang Di Cultural Group had got a new addition to the Xuan Tian Statue Collection.
According to the outlook of the new addition, this Statue of Xuan Tian was about 100 over years old and could be a replicate of an original Statue in Ming Dynasty (以明朝玄帝聖像為藍圖而彫刻).
Even though this Statue was old, the nice aroma of the Wood was still emitting non-stop.
Besides that, 2 Special Statues were being order-made for Taoist Ailsa & Nelson’s Home, this Statue was made accordingly to the one in China Xiao Wu Dang Xuan Tian Temple (中國福建小武當玄天上帝宮廟) and another, dedicating to Taoist Pauline’s Home, made according to the Xuan Tian Statue in Taiwan Gao Xiong Yuan Di Temple (台灣高雄元帝廟).
These 2 Statues were being dotted and enhanced before Geng Yin Year’s Thanksgiving Day, which is 16th Day of Lunar 12 Month (庚寅年答謝神恩日).
San Qing San Jing Talisman Symbols (三清三境符諱), a combination of Di Shu aka Earthly Spiritual Manual (地書) & Xia Shu aka Chinese Character Manual (夏書), were being founded in the Ancient Era where Heavenly Master Zhang Dao Ling (張祖天師) got the Teaching from The Supreme Lord Dao De (大羅道德天尊). These Symbols were the Combination of the Upright Aura or Positive Energies that being Manifested from the Three Realms that the Three Pure One station-in (三清三境 – 即清微聖境﹐余餘真境及太赤仙境).
With the Skills being imparted by The Supreme Lord to Heavenly Master Zhang, these Talisman Symbols were later being distributed out by Heavenly Master Zhang to the Followers after he did the Enhancement onto the Symbols.
Even though this Skill was imparted to Heavenly Master Zhang at about 2000 Years ago, today, a lot of Taoist High Priests still performed the enhancement for these Symbols and distributed out to Taoists for Blessing & Protection.
According to Records, these Symbols must be Drawn on Yellow Straw Paper (黃表紙) with Herbal Black Ink (藥進墨) and Enhanced by Ordained Zheng Yi Taoist Priests on the Eve of Lunar New Year (除夕之夜) and once the Hour strikes Zi Shi aka Rat Hour (子時), these Symbols would be distributed to ALL Taoists for Safety Blessing & Ceasing of any form of Obstacles & Misfortune for the Year. In some other Records, it also taught the Taoists of burning off the Symbols in front of them when Oneself met with Negative Issues or felt Uneasy (解厄除危).
Hope that soon in South East Asia, these Symbols could be seen again, being distributed to ALL Taoists.
For Higher Res Pictures, please proceed to this link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/taoism_deity_singapore_2007/photos/album/1905107072/pic/list
In Taoism, as recorded, in the whole of this Individual Universe, there are 8 types of Spiritual Manual (八種會文-天書). Each Manual performing a Special Task in withholding the Upright Teaching of Taoism.
These 8 types of Spiritual Heavenly Manual are known as:
Heavenly Manual(天書)
Immortal & Saints Manual (神書)
Earthly Manual aka Long Wen Feng Zhuan (地書)
Internal Manual (內書)
External Manual (外書)
Ghostly Manual (鬼書)
Chinese Scripture Manual (夏書)
Non-Chinese Scripture Manual (戒夷書)
Heavenly Manual and Immortal & Saints Manual, the 2 Manuals recording the Spiritual Characters of the Heavenly Realm. Each Character representing a meaning such as the Official Addressing term of a level of Heaven known as Na Yin (衲音) or, the Official Title of an Immortal of the Pre-Heavenly Period (先天神明之稱諱). The Characters shown in these 2 Manuals looked like the formation or the outshape of Clouds and this was why, in later part of the Taoist History, such Characters were being addressed as Yun Zhuan aka Cloud Writing (雲篆).
The 3rd type is known as Earthly Manual or Long Wen Feng Zhuan (龍文鳳篆). This Earthly Manual was being recorded to impart the Upright Teaching of Taoism to the Mortals using the formation character of the outlook of Dragons & Phoenixes. As recorded, each of the Character will be able to emit out a form of Strong Energy that could subdue a Dragon or compare to the strength of a Spiritual Phoenix.
The Internal Manual and External Manual were actually referring to the Manual & Skills that had being discovered by Fu Xi aka Master Ba Gua (八卦祖師伏羲) and King Ji Chang (周朝文王姬昌). These 2 types of Manuals being formed using the outlook of Spiritual Creatures in the Water (洛書/龜書) and those Animals that flew in the Sky (鳥書) and crawl on the ground (虎書). Usually such Manuals were being used to perform Spiritual Predictions & Forseen Issues.
Ghostly Manual, a type of characters that being left over by Thunder & Lightening after striking a Living Being to death (雷電擊身之文). Such Characters usually will reveal a form of Teaching for the Living Beings to be more Humble, Compassion & Upright. Besides creating by Thunder & Lightening, some Animals or Creatures are able to create such characters on Mortals too, for eg: Animal-abusing, Killing un-necessarily, etc.
Chinese Character Manual, starting in the Xia Dynasty (夏朝) and this was why, in Taoist History, this type of Manual was being addressed as Xia Shu. Xia Shu, using the characters that created by Mortal to do recording and teaching.
Non-Chinese Scripture Manual, meaning the Tribal recording characters. Usually such characters were being created by Tribal Troup (少數民族) or Non-chinese for easy interaction and teachings.
In the following, you all will be seeing 2 pictures on the Earthly Manual known as Long Wen Feng Zhuan:
For Higher Res Pictures, please proceed to this link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/taoism_deity_singapore_2007/photos/album/1275868282/pic/list
In here, a piece of Good News for ALL Fans/Devotees of Yang Warriors.
In China, there is a Publisher who had published 9 Story Books on the Nine Generations of the Yang Warriors (to be more accurate, shall be 12 Generations being mentioned) and over 100 over Dukes/Lords aka Wang Ye of Late Tang & Song Dynasty (超過百名晚唐及宋朝王爺之介紹) being introduced – which are now being honoured as Deities (被后人說供養為神明).
Not long ago, while having a chance to meet up with my China & Taiwan Taoist Seniors, the Descendants of the Yang Family (楊家將直系后人) were being introduced to me and was honoured to have got this set of Books from them. This was wonderful and grateful, cos Jave had been searching high & low for these books.
For those who are interested, you may wished to find them online by searching the search-engine using the following details:
Publisher: Shu Mu Wen Xian Chu Ban She (書目文獻出版社)
Published Date: Year 1995
More info on the different Generations of the Yang Warriors, you may wished to visit the following link:
http://javewu.multiply.com/journal/item/110/110
For Higher Res Pictures, please proceed to this link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/taoism_deity_singapore_2007/photos/album/1705805151/pic/list
In here, you all will be seeing a series of Photos taken from China Gu Gong (中國故宮 The National Museum of China) on the Collection of Song Dynasty (宋朝) Mirror Tablet of Heavenly Master Subduing the Demon (張天師降魔方鏡).
According to the introduction and researches done on this Mirror, it explained that this Mirror was made at that Era for Rich People to place it in the Main Hall to eliminate or block Negative Energies/Entities from entering the House.
Besides that, this Mirror was also to provide Blessing & Shielding for young children or new born babies from being disturbed by the wandering souls/spirits.
In the Mirror, you will see a fierce Priest holding on to a Sword and Bell chasing after a Demonic-looking creature.
This is indeed another piece of Treasure for Taoism.
For Higher Res Pictures, please proceed to this link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/taoism_deity_singapore_2007/photos/album/1400579830/pic/list
In here, you all will be watching a Short Introduction Clip on the Taoist Ritual on Eliminating of Sins & Debts conducted in Taiwan not along ago.
This Taoist Ritual was conducted by High Priest Li Xuan Zheng (主法高功李玄正道長), a well known Taiwanese Priest of Dan Xin Taoist Lineage of Zheng Yi Sect (正一丹心宗壇).
Hope you all enjoy this Video.
Description:
Recently, after getting a Medical Retreat, Jave had learnt quite a lot from my Elders and some Medical Masters on various simple recipe on curing various Modern Illnesses, such as Over-stress, High-blood Pressure, Muscle-pain, etc.
Today, in here, Jave will like to share with you ALL on using just 2 Dried Herbs to reduce the Risks of getting High Blood Pressure or to Lower the Blood-pressure for any Age-groups.
Ingredients:
1) 15 grams of Dried Lotus Leaf (干荷葉十五克)
2) 15 grams of Semen Cassiae aka Cassia Seed (決明子十五克)
3) 0.5 Litre of Water (清水半公升)
Directions:
After getting ALL the items, rinse the Herbs with Running-water, remember not to Soak the Herbs as it will reduce the effectiveness of the Mineral-content.
Heat the Water till Half-boiled (small bubbles started to form).
Once the Water is Half-boiled, add in the washed Herbs and Boil it for 6 minutes, using Low-fire-rate (溫火煮六分鐘).
After 6 minutes, off the Fire and allowed the Beverage to cool for 5 minutes and when its about 60 degree in temperature, it will be best to consume it.
Try not to leave the Beverage Over-night.
This Beverage can be consumed at anytime of the Day (可當開水飲用).
People with Low-blood Rate and Pregnant Ladies are to avoid.
