11th Day of Lunar 11 Month (農曆十一月十一日 for Year 2011, it falls on 05 Dec, a Monday) 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”). 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.
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
Just before the whole group of us visit Tian Shi Fu (龍虎山天師府) to pay our respect to Heavenly Master Zhang Dao Ling (張祖天師) and meet up with the Taoist Priests there, we visited Da Shang Qing Gong (大上清宮) in the early morning.
Da Shang Qing Gong, built in a thousand years ago and was being destroyed a few times, the most recent one was during the Cultural Revolution Period where now, only less than 5% of Da Shang Qing Gong was left over for Taoists and Visitors to visit (for the moment, Tian Shi Fu is getting donation for the rebuilding of Da Shang Qing Gong).
During the 1st stop in Da Shang Qing Gong, we visited the Zhen Wu Hall (真武殿) above Fu Di Men (福地門) – the Main Entrance.
Upon climbing about 3 storeys high, we reached the Hall and at 1st sight, we were shocked to see the huge Statue of Zhen Wu Da Di (真武大帝) aka Xuan Tian Shang Di (玄天上帝) sitting in the centre of the Main Altar, accompanying him were the Two Official Assistants – Master Zhou (周公) & Fairy Peach Blossom (桃花女).
With a quick honouring of Zhen Wu, we proceed down, just as Jave was leaving the Hall, Jave was delighted to see the Tian Shi Talismans (天師符) being used to block the Negative Energies – sticking on the Windows, so without any hesitation, Jave took a few photos of them.
2011 is the 4th Year that Jave had visited He Bi Shan Temple (新加坡何碧山宮) to honour Lord San Guan (三官大帝).
And for sure, it was Jave’s honour and pleasure to assist He Bi Shan Temple in all Events and Celebrations.
This Year, due to Jave was on Training Course, on the 15th & 16th Day, Royce had to represent Jave to conduct certain Taoist Rituals for this Celebration and on the 15th Evening, Jave and Mum had arrived at the Temple to pay our respect to Lord Shui Guan (水官大帝).
On the 16th Evening, the whole of LSM had participate in the Grand Dinner (千人宴) of He Bi Shan Temple and after the Dinner, a few of us left behind to conduct the Official Honouring dedicating to Lord San Guan of He Bi Shan Temple and as usual, Vabien and Royce made their 3 Kneelings and 9 Kowtows to the Deities (Million Thanks to Vabien and Royce for preparing the Offerings).
On the 17th Day, LSM had conducted the Taoist Chanting dedicated to Lord San Guan and also, the Sending of Shui Guan Spiritual Petition Ceremony (送水官手書儀式) while we sent off the Guest Deities.
It was an enjoyable day and many Spiritual Encounters occurred again.
We look forward for the next Celebration that will be happening soon.
Million Thanks to Vabien and Royce for sharing with us the Photos.
One year had passed and its again the time for LSM to conduct the Honouring dedicating to Lord Shui Guan for his Manifestation Anniversary and Inspection Day.
On the 14th Evening of 10th Month, Vabien and Royce arrived at Jave’s place to conduct the honouring.
Upon arrival, we made some final preparation and then proceed with the Honouring.
1st, Vabien representing the whole LSM to offer the 1st round of Incenses to Lord Shui Guan, followed by Royce the 2nd round and the final round conducted by Jave (三獻禮).
Then we offered the Wine to Lord Shui and last, the Paper Offerings.
While we were waiting for the Incenses to be burnt for 15 minutes, Vabien and Royce made their 3 Kneels and 9 Kowtows (三跪九叩) to Lord San Guan.
With then, we completed our Honouring for Year 2011.
Million Thanks to Vabien for preparing the San Yuan Nuts (三元果) – which were Dried Longans (龍眼干), Dried Lychee (荔枝干) & Walnut (核桃).
Just before we proceed to pay respect at Nan Chang Wan Shou Gong (南昌萬壽宮), we drop by Jing Gang Shan to stay there for a day in-order to visit Jing Gang Shan to visit the Places that Mao Ze Dong (毛澤東) had stationed while he led the Chinese to initiate the Revolution Exercise.
In the Evening, after returning from the sight-seeing of where Mao Ze Dong and his fellow Team-mates had stationed, we went for a night stroll at the Garden outside the Revolution Museum (革命博物館).
To our surprise, the night scenery there was wonderful and attractive.
After taking some nice photos at the River Garden, the few of us went for a good night supper at the nearby Night Market.
On the 12th Day of Lunar 10 Month (農曆陽月十二日), its again the Year End Ancestor Honouring Day for Long Shan Men (正一龍山門祭祖日).
This year, the whole LSM conducted the Honouring of the Ancestors at individual’s Home. Besides that, LSM has to honour the various Generations’ Heavenly Masters too (歷代正一天師).
Million Thanks to All the various Disciples of LSM for the conducting of the Honouring.
After our Respect at Long Hu Shan Zheng Yi Guan (龍虎山正一觀), we proceed with our Dinner – the Heavenly Master Trigram Feast of Long Hu Shan Tian Shi Fu (龍虎山天師府), this Feast was being pass-down since Song Dynasty (最早記載有八卦宴是於宋朝年間) and whenever there were Big Celebration, the Heavenly Masters were prepared this Feast for the Guests.
Due to we had arrived late, the Chief In-charge of Zheng Yi Guan was not able to get us a Table in the Official Dining Hall in Tian Shi Fu, so we had to proceed to Shang Qing Village Taoist Inn (上清古鎮) to have our Trigram Feast. Really appreciate the assistance of the Chief in the arranging for this Special Trigram Feast for the whole group of us.
Upon arrival, we were being welcomed by the Eight Cold Vegetarian Dishes – made from the local Mountainous Plants & Herbs, followed by the Yin Yang Tai Ji Toufu (陰陽太極豆腐).
With all the Cold Dishes to cleanse our Throat and Stomach, the 12 Main Dishes were being served.
To our surprises, these 12 Dishes were being made by Deer (山鹿), Donkey (山驢), Bull-frog (田雞), Eel (河鰻), Lu Xi River Fish (廬溪魚), Turtle (甲魚), Kampong Chicken (土雞), Kampong Duck (土鴨), Wild Boar (山豬), Pork (畜豬), Local Vegetable (山菜) and Eight Treasure Lotus Rice (八寶荷葉飯). Due to we don’t consume Dog, Beef, etc, the Chief had replaced some other dishes with other Meat items.
That very night, we really had a good and full meal.
After having the Feast, the Chief show us their Residential Apartment of All the Taoist Priests and then, we proceed back to our Hotel for an early rest before proceeding to Tian Shi Fu on the next morning.
After Jave’s Late Master – Chen Ding Gui (陳鼎癸先師) had made an agreement with the 63rd Heavenly Master Zhang En Pu (嗣漢第六十三代真人張恩溥天師), Long Shan Men had not returned back to Long Hu Shan neither Tian Shi Fu (天師府) for the past 40 years (63rd Heavenly Master Zhang En Pu attained his Immortal-hood in Year 1969). Finally in Year 2011 October, Jave, Jave’s Family and all Taoist Siblings, we arrived at Long Hu Shan Zheng Yi Guan.
With a walking of about a Mile’s distance (this walking distance was being set by the Emperor in the past as a form of respect to Heavenly Master), we arrived at Zheng Yi Guan, we were being welcomed by the Chief In-charge and we were delighted to meet each other again.
After then, we were being led into the Main Hall.
Just as Jave step into the Main Hall and Jave almost break-down, cos 63rd Heavenly Master Zhang En Pu’s huge statue was sitting at the Right-side Altar. After so many years, Jave finally was able to make my Kowtows to this Grandmaster of mine (Zhang En Pu was considered as the “Initiation Master” of Chen Ding Gui).
PS: Do compare the photo of the real 63rd Heavenly Master Zhang En Pu with the photo of the statue, the statue look so real.
Immediately, without any delaying, Jave took out the camera to take a few photos of him and as expected, certain Spiritual Issues happened while we were taking photos on him.
Due to we were from Singapore, certain new Taoist Priests were not being informed of whom we were, some of them were being asked to donate a “certain amount of Donation”, this was what we expected and until the Chief informed them, they were shocked and quickly went into their room to change into proper Taoist Attire to welcome us.
After paying respect to the various Deities in Zheng Yi Guan, we went around taking photos and chit chat with the various Taoist Priests and while Jave was walking towards the Rear Hall where Jade Emperor of Heaven (玉皇大天尊) was being honoured, I was delighted to see that my Elder was in there.
After 20 years of not seeing him, he had grow old and while Jave was there, he told me that now he was having the same Taoist Lineage Title as me, cos most of them had been demoted due to a drastic change in the Lineage System in Long Hu Shan. Upon hearing that, I was deeply hurt and get very disappointed.
With a quick chat, we exchanged our contact and address and Jave could said to be very fortunate and lucky, cos within a week after I returned to Singapore, my Elder had sent a Textbook from Long Hu Shan to me for my Cultivation and Study. Million Thanks to my Elder.
With about 2 hours stayed in Zheng Yi Guan, we left the Monastery to continue our Tour and prepared for the next Day’s Visiting to Da Shang Qing Gong (大上清宮) & Tian Shi Fu.
PS: The last 2 pictures on the Carving of many Taoist Deities sitting on it is known as Da Luo Tian (大羅天), this is a very special carving that can be bought to place at home or Temples to honour. In this carving, you all will able to see San Qing (三清), Si Yu (四御), Wu Lao (五佬), San Guan (三官), Er Da Jian Tan (二大監壇) & Zhang Tian Shi (張祖天師).
On the 3rd Day of our Tour to explore Taoism in China, we arrived at China Jiang Xi Province, Ying Tan City, Long Hu Shan aka Mt of Dragon & Tiger (中國江西省鷹潭市龍虎山).
Long Hu Shan, previously known as Yun Jin Shan aka Mt Yun Jin (雲錦山) or commonly known by the Commoners as the Mt of the Fairy Scarf. A Mountain that being appointed to Heavenly Master Zhang Dao Ling (張道陵祖天師) by The Supreme Lord Lao Jun (太上道祖道德天尊) for Zhang Dao Ling to start his Cultivation and Promoting of Taoism.
After a long period of combing the Mountain to find a good spot for the cultivating of Spiritual Skills and making of the Elixirs, Zhang Tian Shi was led to the best spot by the Earth & Mountain Deities of Long Hu Shan – which is where the current Zheng Yi Monastery (正一觀) was located.
Zheng Yi Guan, situated in front of the Mountain of the Tiger and facing the Mountain of Dragon, this was a very special & spiritually enhanced location and was later part being helpful to the Cultivation for the various Heavenly Masters of Zheng Yi Sect.
Back to the Tour Introduction.
Upon arriving at the Long Hu Shan entrance, we were being led by the Tourist Guide to go thru a brief introduction on how the Mountains were being formed in Million Million years ago and what minerals can be found in these Mountains, besides that, a Bird-eye View Plan of the whole Long Hu Shan was shown on form-model in-order for us to understand more.
After the quick introduction, we proceed to tour around the whole Long Hu Shan, including climbing the Elephant Mountain to look at the Spiritual Elephant (象鼻山) and also having an hour’s ride on the Bamboo Raft (竹筏) on the Mother River of Long Hu Shan, which is known as Lu Xi River (龍虎山母河 – 廬溪河), to look at the Thousand Years old Heavenly Buried Coffins known as Xuan Guan (懸棺).
Just as the Bamboo Raft left the Shore, first to see was the Main Mountain known as Yun Jin, which later was being changed to Long Hu. This Yun Jin was also known as Tian Shu (天書) aka The Heavenly Secret Manual Mountain. On this Mountain, one special feature on it was, this was the only Mountain that the Birds were gathered and shit on it (see the white stains on it).
After going one round of Long Hu Shan, we proceed to have our Lunch before we proceed to pay our respect to Heavenly Master at Zheng Yi Guan.
PS: Due to Long Hu Shan is famous for harvesting of Chestnut (栗子), in Hokkien known as Gao La, most of the dishes we ate in Long Hu Shan, Chestnuts will be added into them.
On the 1st Day of our Arrival in China Xiamen, after we had settled down in Ru Shi Hotel (如是酒店) and before our Exploring of Taoism Tour started, we proceed to the 6th International Religious Exhibition (第六屆夏門國際佛事宗教展覽會) located at the Xiamen Expo Hall (夏門國際會議展覽中心) to participate in their Religious Exhibition.
Upon signing-in (pre-registration made in Singapore), we entered into the Exhibition Hall, with delights, we saw a lot of wonderful Huge Statues being displayed at the Exhibition for People to take pictures and “ordering”. This was the 1st time that we see such a BIG Statue on Sale.
With 1.5 hrs to go round the whole Exhibition Hall, the timing was too short for us, so we decided to go back to the Exhibition Hall again on the next day to do our purchasing for New Temple and our New Taoist HQ in the near future.
In this Exhibition, we met up with a lot of Taoist Friends from All over the World, including our own Singaporean and to our delights; we had made a lot of purchasing on very nice Taoist Objects and Painting.
We will be back to the Exhibition in Year 2012.
On this Trip to China, we had chosen this Religious Hotel – Ru Shi (如是酒店), to stay in.
This is a very Special Hotel that is closely associated with Chinese Religions – Buddhism & Taoism.
During the stay, we had met a lot of Buddhist & Taoist Siblings from Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, etc. Most of them were there to participate in the Religious Events such as Talks on Dao De Jing (道德經), Buddhist Culture and also Qi Gong (氣功).
Among so many Hotels that we stayed in, Ru Shi was the one that gave us a warm and comfortable feeling.
