Sending Off of Kitchen Deity for Ren Chen Dragon Year 2013 (壬辰龍年灶君返天簡介)

 Its again the Period for Sending back Zao Jun (灶君) aka Kitchen Deity to the Celestial Realm for the Reporting of the whole Year's Credits & Debits of the Mortals.

In the following are 2 links to the more detailed Introduction posted in the past years:
...
http://javewutaoismplace.blogspot.sg/2009/01/sending-off-of-kitchen-deity-for-wu-zi_6704.html

http://javewutaoismplace.blogspot.sg/2008/01/la-yue-customs-lunar-12-month-customs_9407.html

In the following its the list of Good Timing for Sending off of Kitchen Deities for the 3 Days
(三日吉時送灶列表):

23rd Day (臘月廿三) – 03 Feb 2013
0100 – 0259 (丑時)
1300 – 1459 (未時)
1500 – 1659 (申時)

24th Day (臘月廿四) – 04 Feb 2013
0100 – 0259 (丑時)
0300 – 0459 (寅時)
0500 – 0659 (卯時)
0900 – 1059 (巳時)
2100 – 2259 (亥時)

25th Day (臘月廿五) – 05 Feb 2013
0100 – 0259 (丑時)
0300 – 0459 (寅時)
0500 – 0659 (卯時)
1300 – 1459 (未時)
1900 – 2059 (戌時)

Additional Info:

Star of Kitchen Deity – Vesta (天文學中的灶神星)

In Taoism and Chinese Culture, we have been talking about Kitchen Deity (灶君) for Thousands of Years, but in fact, a lot of Taoists and Chinese do not know that in our Universe, there is a Star dedicated to “him”.

This Star in Astrometry is known as Vesta (灶神星).

Vesta, the name of the Roman Goddess of Heart & Hearth, whenever she present, it will represent Fire and this is how, Vesta was being depicted as the Overall In-charge of Kitchen/Food in Taoism & Chinese Culture.

In the Universe, Vesta is situated in near to Pluto (冥王星) and Ceres (穀神星) – which in Taoism, Ceres is the Star that look after all the Growth and Harvesting of Plantations & Crops.

According to Astrology Study, Vesta shall be of 10 – 20 Hundred Million Years old and the distance from Vesta to Earth is about 117 Million Mile (approx of 188 Million Km).

For those who are interested in knowing more on Vesta and the linkage with Roman Mythology, it will be great that you all can go indepth in the research.

Thanksgiving Ceremony at Dong Yue Temple 2013 (新加坡東嶽廟答謝神恩儀式)

This has become an annual routine for Long Shan Men to go to Dong Yue Temple to conduct the Thanksgiving Ceremony dedicating to Emperor Lord Dong Yue.

For Year 2013, we have selected on the 22nd Day of Lunar 12 Month, which falls on 2 Feb 2013, a Saturday. The Thanksgiving Ceremony will start at 08:48 hours, but for those who are attending, you all must be there by 8.00am.

Besides the Thanksgiving Ceremony, we will be conducting a session on the Honouring of Star Lords of the Great Northern Dipper. So for those who have miss the opportunity on the Honouring of Star Lords during 9th Month, you may consider joining us on this day.

All Honouring will be Free of Charge, oneself just needed to contribute to the Temple will do.

正一龍山門暨其他本地道教團體將於臘月廿二日(週六),假新加坡東嶽廟舉行年終答謝神恩及禮斗儀式。歡迎各方同道前來參與。

這次的答謝神恩及禮斗儀式一概免費﹐重點在於發揚道教文化及科儀的認知與認識。

如若個人有意隨緣﹐可將隨緣金與東嶽廟結緣。

敬稽首。
三無量。

Thanksgiving of Long Shan Men & Fei Jie Fu for Ren Chen Dragon Year 2013 (正一龍山飛捷府之壬辰龍年答謝神恩儀式)

On the15th Day of Lunar 12 Month of Ren Chen Year (壬辰龍年農曆臘月十五日), a Thanksgiving Honouring was being conducted at Long Shan Men’s New Leader of the 36th Generation cum 9th Disciple’s (Vabien Lee) Home dedicating to the Main Deities of Long Shan Fei Jie Fu (龍山飛捷府).

This year, the Thanksgiving Honouring was scheduled at 12.00noon and so, after getting the 3 main meat offerings, Jave arrived at Fei Jie Fu to initial the Honouring by making reporting to the Celestial Realm.

At about 1.00Pm, Fei Jie Fu had ushered in the Chief Commander of the Heavenly & Spiritual Armies (三軍都督) and after then, the Thanksgiving Honouring began.

While we were in the mid of the Thanksgiving Ceremony, Bro Jerry Ong of Singapore Long Guan Dian (新加坡龍觀殿) had drop-by to pay his respect to the Deities of Fei Jie Fu.

At about 3.00Pm, the Thanksgiving Ceremony ended and before Jave left for the seeing of Doctor, Jave had conducted the Summoning of Heavenly & Spiritual Armies for Fei Jie Fu for the Rewarding of Armies Ceremony (犒賞三軍).

After Jave left, Vabien took over the role of the Rewarding of the Armies and also the Sending off of the Armies at about 5.00Pm.

With the assistance of Darrel, Vabien had conducted a simple Distribution of Food Offerings to the Wanderings at about 10.00Pm on the Day.

Million Thanks to those who have volunteered to assist in this Thanksgiving. May we have a better & enjoying Thanksgiving in Year 2014. 

More pictures at  

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.234236250045371.57608.100003769925312&type=1

Tong Shan Tang Thanksgiving for Ren Chen Year 2013 (童善堂壬辰年臘月答謝神恩)

On the 16th Day of Lunar 12 Month of Xin Mao Year (壬辰龍年臘月十六日尾牙), 27 Jan 2013, Long Shan Men (正一龍山門) was being engaged to conduct a Thanksgiving Ceremony dedicating to the Main Deities of Tong Shan Tang (新加坡童善堂) & Long Shan Wei Ling Fu (正一龍山威靈府) located at Southern Singapore - Redhill.

At about 09.30Am, Jave & Vabien arrived at Tong Shan Tang and most of the Offerings were being prepared by Royce and his Family. Without further delay, the Thanksgiving Ceremony started by conducting the Reporting to the Celestial Realm (開壇上奏) at about 10.00Am.

At 11.00Am, the Ushering in of the Deities from the Three Realms (恭迎三界) was being conducted and most of the Members of Tong Shan Tang were there to participate in the welcoming of the Deities.

Upon completion of the Ushering in of the High Deities, it was time to Welcome the New Heavenly Reporting Officer (九天麒麟天官) for the Year of Gui Si (癸巳年). After the enhancing of the Spiritual Items for the Dotting Ceremony, the new Heavenly Reporting Officer was being Dotted and Enhanced and upon completion on the Dotting, he was being ushered into the Premises and placed onto the Main Altar.

At about 3.00Pm, after the lunch break, the Thanksgiving Ceremony started, by then more Members of Tong Shan Tang had arrived to join in.

At about 5.00Pm, the the Major Rewarding of Spiritual Armies (犒賞三軍) was conducted by Royce.

At about 5.30Pm, the whole Celebration reached the Final part - Sending-off of the Deities (恭送三界) and Rewarding of the Armies with the Paper Offerings.

By 6.30Pm, after a quick packing and cleaning, we sat down to enjoy the Food that being prepared by Royce’s Mother.

In here, Jave will like to take this opportunity to Thank Royce, Royce’s Mother and All Members of Tong Shan Tang for making this Ceremony a Wonderful and Successful one.

Million Thanks to Vabien, Royce and other Members of Tong Shan Tang to share with us the Pictures.

More pictures at http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.531040196916045.115661.100000302071316&type=1

 

 

19th Day of Lunar 12 Month to Seek Blessing for Prosperity & Health (臘月十九司命日)

臘月十九司命日。
即逢祿神降人間。
有病得醫敬醫聖。
求祿則須禮北斗。

19th Day of Lunar 12 Month of Ren Chen Dragon Year, 30 Jan 2013, a Day of the Inspection of Deity of Prosperity & Deity of Medication.

For those whom wish to request for blessing for Health, please accord your respect to the Patrons of Physician & for those who wish to get their business & career enhanced, please accord your respect to Lords of the Great Northern Dippers before sunset.

13th Day of Lunar 12 Month - Opening of Treasure Chest Day (臘月十三金匱日迎財神)

臘月十三金匱日。戌時迎財接貴人。
黃道吉辰難得遇。錯過須待明春期。

13th Day of Lunar 12 Month of Ren Chen Dragon Year is a Day of the Opening of the "Spiritual Treasure Chest". For those who wish to usher in the Deity of Wealt & Prosperity, please do it from 7.00pm till 9.00pm.

Need not face any direction, just need to do it in front of your Altar or at any Temple. Sincerely request for the Five Directional Deities of Wealth (五路財神) to distribute the Blessing to you.

Southern Taoist Ritual Music - Yin Diao (傳統戲曲兼道教法事音樂-陰調)

In here, you all will be watching 2 different videos on the Traditional Song/Music known as Yin Diao (陰調), literally translated as the Nether Realm Song, that being used by Southern Taoist Priests during Salvation Rituals/Funerals.

This is a very difficult Song to learn as it varies with the mood and the atmosphere of the Ritual/Ceremony that conducted on the day or venue itself. Usually after singing this Song, it will for sure to sadden the family members or those whom had attended the Salvation Ritual/Funeral.

This Song can be traced back till Late Tang Dynasty or Song Dynasty when Taoist Rituals were being "ordered" to add in the element of performance or "Opera Skills".

Let us enjoy this Song - in here is Part One extracted from Stage Hokkien Opera.

  

Let us enjoy this Song - in here is Part Two extracted from Hokkien Puppet Show Drama Series.

Lighting of Blessing Lamp/Lantern at Sembawang Tian Hou Temple (新加坡三巴旺天后宮新春點燈祈福)

Dear All,

Please take note that Singapore Sembawang Tian Hou Temple has started the Lighting of Blessing Lamp/Lantern for Devotees for the New Lunar Year, for those who participated in the Lighting of the Lamp/Lantern annually, please do not forget to drop by the Temple. For those who have never light the Lamp/Lanter before, please do drop by this year to light one.

More info on the Temple, please proceed to this link:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=448650045174972&set=a.448650035174973.101573.237744982932147&type=1#!/pages/%E4%B8%89%E5%B7%B4%E6%97%BA%E5%A4%A9%E5%90%8E%E5%AE%AB-Sembawang-Tian-Ho-Keng/237744982932147

Info on Lighting Lamp/Lantern on Li Chun Day:

http://javewutaoismplace.blogspot.sg/2010/02/lighting-of-blessing-lantern-on-li-chun_293.html

Firey Day on 12th Day of Lunar 12 Month 2013 (朱雀離火黑煞日)

臘月十二朱雀日。黑煞隨影不離身。
老年幼嬰多注意。不可晚歸避離火。

12th Day of Lunar 12 Month (23 Jan 2013), for Ren Chen Dragon Year, this Day is a Day that dedicated to the Fire Element and besides that, the Black Negative Energy will be hidding at the back of the Fire Element, waiting for chances to attach the Living Beings. For those who need to stay out late at night, please be more careful. For Elderly and young children at home, please avoid going near any form of Fire or Heating-equipment.

Introduction on the Official Taoist Gai Lian Ritual aka Eliminating of Offences & Sins (道教科儀改連科簡介)

Last weekend, while Vabien & Jave were invited to attend the Taoist Celebration at Heng San Tua aka Xing Shan Tan (興山壇), Master Koh Chor Hian (興玄道壇許祖賢大道長) had conducted a session of Gai Lian Ritual (赦罪改連補運科) under the “witnessing” of the presence of Jade Emperor of Heaven (玉皇大天尊) at the Celebration Premises.

Vabien was quite interested & fascinated by the very local way of how Master Koh had conducted the Ritual using 36/72/120/130 Ancient Coins (三十六/七十二/一百二十/一百三十個銅錢), 24/36 Chopsticks (廿四/三十六支筷子), a bundle of Gai Nian Paper (改年紙禡) & the method of the Paper, Coins & Chopsticks must be “burnt” together to get the permission for the requesting of the Eliminating of the major 36/48 Offences & Sins that we, Mortal, will committed.

So people might wondered what are the 36/48 major Offences & Sins that we the Mortal will committed, in the following, I will extract a few examples from the Gai Lian Scripture (太上元始天尊說改連妙經);

1 – Reprimanding of the Weather, for example, when the Raining non-stop, some people will “scold” the Rain for being “cruel”, in the scripture described as 疾風驟雨咒罵穢

2 – Do not bother to support the Parent when they are old or poor, in the scripture described as父母孤貧全不顧

3 – Encouraging couple to divorce, force family to discard the bonds, making rumours of breaking up the relationship of relatives, fighting against siblings, in the scripture described as棄親向疏罪非輕

Above are the 3 common Offences or Sins that Mortal might committed.

So who is the main Deity In-charge of this Scripture/Ritual?

Firstly, this Ritual must be done with the presence of Jade Emperor of Heaven.

Secondly, as we can see in the Cover-page of this Scripture, it’s being explained by Supreme Lord Yuan Shi (元始天尊) and later was being handed-over to Heavenly Master Zhang Dao Ling (張祖天師) for the promoting of it in the Mortal Realm.

So when is the best timing to conduct such Ritual?

Of cos it will be best to be conducted during major or Grand Official Taoist Celebration, if not, will b on the Manifestation Anniversary of Jade Emperor of Heaven or during End of Year Ritual that is conducted for the requesting of Good Blessing for the new Lunar Year.

Does this Ritual only dedicated to Mortal?

Not necessary. To be more accurate, this Ritual can be conducted dedicated to Pass-on Ancestors, Family Members or even other Beings.

So what are the Items/Offerings needed for this Ritual?

As mentioned above, those items are a MUST and for those who are not attending the Ritual conducted by Official Taoist Priests can also prepare the following items for Self-honouring, they are;

1 – Gai Nian Paper aka Eliminating of Offences (改年紙禡)

 

2 – She Zui Paper aka Eliminating of Sins (赦罪紙禡)

3 – San Guan Ku Qian aka San Guan Coffer Paper (三官庫錢)

Thanksgiving to Earth Deity of your Area (臘月初十答謝一方土地神)

In South East Asia, on the 10th Day of Lunar 1st Month is known as the Distribution of Wealth or Luck from Earth Deity aka Tu Di Shen. On this Day, many Taoists or Chinese will visit the nearest Tu Di Temple to accord respect to Tu Di Shen in-order to get the necessary blessing from him and hoping that the whole year, Oneself or the family will be blessed with “Great Wealth”.

And on the 10th Day of Lunar 12th Month, it’s the Day that the Taoists or Chinese needed to return their Gratitude to Tu Di Shen, if any of you had “Strike Lotteries” or got the “Wealth Blessing” from the Tu Di Shen.

For the returning Gratitude is very easy, Tu Di Shen wont “request much”, as long as you visit to the Temple where oneself had “seek” blessing from and offer 3 incenses and make a minimal contribution amount will do.

In here, wishes all of you will get the necessary blessing from ALL Deities for the Year of Gui Si, 2013.

在東南亞﹐每年的農曆正月初十日為”一方土地神賜財日”。在這一天﹐道教信徒會蜂擁至附近之土地神廟/祠﹐上香供奉﹐希望土地神能為自己賜財並保祐一年”丰盈”。

而在每年臘月初十日為”答謝”土地神之吉日。如若在這一年內有得到土地神庇有之信眾﹐皆的回到當時祈求此財之土地神廟/祠還願。

所有”有借有還﹐再借不難”嗎。

好啦﹐在此恭祝大家﹐在新的一年﹐能得道眾神之護佑﹐萬事皆能大吉順利。

Fei Jie Fu Thanksgiving for Ren Chen Year 2013 (新加坡正一龍山飛捷府壬辰年臘月答謝神恩慶典)

Dear All,

For Ren Chen Dragon Year, Fei Jie Fu will be conducting it's Thanksgiving Ceremony on next Saturday, 26 Jan 2013, starting from 12.00nn.

For those who are interested in participating, please contact Master Vabien at style_987@hotmail.com

The Itinerary of the Ceremony will be as followed:

壬辰年臘月十五日(謝冬)

中午十二點 -
開壇上奏
恭迎三界
开光科儀(三軍都督)

12.00nn:
Reporting to the Celestial Realm
Ushering in of the High Officials
Ushering of Overall Inspector of Spiritual Armies

下午兩點 -
答谢神恩

2.00pm:
Thanksgiving Ceremony

下午三點 -
犒賞三軍

3.00pm:
Rewarding of the Spiritual Armies

下午四點 -
恭送三界

4.00pm:
Sending Off of Deities

晚上六點 -
濟渡儀式

6.00pm:
Distribution Offerings to the Wandering Souls

Tong Shan Tang Thanksgiving for Ren Chen Year 2013 (新加坡童善堂壬辰年臘月答謝神恩慶典)

Dear All,

For Ren Chen Dragon Year, Tong Shan Tang will be conducting it's Thanksgiving Ceremony on next Sunday, 27 Jan 2013, starting from 10.00am.

For those who are interested in participating, please contact Master Royce at roycetan@yahoo.com

The Itinerary of the Ceremony will be as followed:

壬辰年臘月十六日(尾牙)
27/01/2013

早上十點 -
開壇上奏
恭迎三界
开光科儀(九天麒麟天官)

10.00am:
Reporting to the Celestial Realm
Ushering in of the High Officials
Ushering of Ninth Heaven Reporting Officer

下午兩點 -
答谢神恩

2.00pm:
Thanksgiving Ceremony

下午三點 -
犒賞三軍

3.00pm:
Rewarding of the Spiritual Armies

下午四點 -
恭送三界

4.00pm: Sending Off of Deities

下午五點 -
圓融宴会

5.00pm:
Reunion Feast for Members

晚上六點 -
濟渡儀式

6.00pm:
Distribution Offerings to the Wandering Souls

Singapore High Priest Master Koh Chor Hian (新加坡興玄道壇許祖賢大道長)

新加坡興玄道壇許祖賢大道長﹐為該道壇之第一把交椅﹐也是本地著名道長之一。

這兩年多來﹐一直是小道的貴人也是精神支柱(不僅如此﹐許祖賢大道長也是小道之師叔輩。在許祖賢大道長未接手成為該道壇高功時﹐其父便是小道老廟之道務顧問及首席科儀法師。小道與許祖賢大道長之淵源可說深厚)。

小道真的很感謝許祖賢大道長的鼓勵及支持。接下來的日子﹐小道將會不時與許祖賢大道長合作﹐將本地道教發揚光大。

希望屆時各方道友能給於小道及許祖賢大道長鼓勵及支持。

在此﹐小道先謝過。

Thanksgiving Ceremony at Taoist Ryan's Home 2013 (壬辰年乙龍道兄宅中答謝神恩儀式)

為乙龍道兄宅中關聖帝君啟建答謝神恩儀式。
Conducting Thanksgiving Ceremony dedicating to Taoist Ryan's Home Lord Guan Yu.

為闔家禮斗祈福保平安。
Honouring of the Star Lords of the Great Northern Dipper.

誦念道教諸品真經。
Chanting of Taoist Scriptures.

啟安請示答謝神恩儀式圓融。
Seeking permissiong for the sending off of Deities after the Thanksgiving Ceremony.

The Great Winter of Ren Chen Dragon Year (壬辰龍年大寒日)

臘月九。厚雪覆蓋大寒天。
圍爐暖。一杯杜康溫肝腸。

壬辰龍年﹐大寒日為臘月初九日。

Da Han Day, the last Solar Term/Fest of the Chinese 24 Solar Term System. This Day will mark the coldest period of the Winter season and after this Day, Spring will be "creeping it's way" back to the Mortal Realm.

For this Day, it will be good/great to drink a cup of Warm Tonic Wine to keep oneself warm, in order to strenghten the immune system of one's physical health.

For Ren Chen Dragon Year, it falls on 20 Jan 2013, a Sunday.

Video on Ma Zu communicating with Foreigners (媽祖搭救洋人)

If you find that this video is terribly wrong, then this proved that you are not a Taoist neither you are a Sincere or Faithful devotee of Ma Zu.

如若你覺的這段影片有錯誤的話﹐那可證明你非道教徒或者是媽祖的信徒。更枉然侍奉媽祖了。http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdEn_1PfKpk&feature=share&list=UUQcVwsssp7k0iHArSltMzyw

Lighting of Lamps for Prosperity Blessing from Lord Bei Dou (臘月初七敬九皇)

臘月七。七元二輔賜福運。
敬九星。四季六時得安寧。

7th Day of Lunar 12 Month, the last Descending Day for Lord Bei Dou for the old lunar year before their regular Annual Inspection on the 28th Day of Lunar 12 Month for the recording of Credits & Merits for the distribution of Blessing for the new lunar year.

 

Ushering in Lord Bei Dou on 7th Day of Lunar 12 Month (臘月初七迎北斗)

臘月六。清淨家宅堂上案。
亥時末。請香上敬迎北斗。

6th Day of Lunar 12 Month, a day to cleanse the Home Altar and prepare for the ushering in of Lord Bei Dou aka Star Lords of the Great Northern Dipper, to descend into the Mortal Realm for the distribution of Blessing for the Old Lunar Year.