Heavenly Marshal Zhao Gong Ming Opening of Wealth Coffer of the Three Realms 2013 (癸巳蛇年趙公明元帥敕開三界財庫日)

In Taoism and Chinese Custom, on the 26th Day of Lunar 1 Month (農曆正月廿六日), is considered as the Day for Heavenly Marshal Zhao Gong Ming (趙公明大天君) aka Deity of Military Wealth, to Open the Three Realms Spiritual Wealth Coffer for All the Beings in the Mortal Realm.

On this Day, Taoists & Chinese will tend to visit Temples that dedicated to Zhao Gong Ming & his Assistants (五路財神) to request for the Blessing of Wealth & Good Lucks and also, Official Personnel will request for Blessing for the Country or Big Society.

For Year 2013, its falls on 07 March, a Thursday.

What is the Story behind this Opening of Three Realms Wealth?

According to the Records of All Deities (三教搜神大全), after Zhao Gong Ming was being bestowed by Jade Emperor of Heaven (玉皇大天尊) as the Overall –in-charge of the Wealth for All Beings, he was also being appointed by Heavenly Master Zhang Dao Ling (張祖天師) to oversee All Doubts and Unsolved Issues that are associated with Wealth, etc (調解不平事宜。專治財務糾紛).

From then, since Sui Dynasty (隋朝), Taoists and Chinese had been Honouring Zhao Gong Ming as One of the Major Deities of Wealth and on 26th Day of Lunar 1st Month – which was said to be the Day that Zhao Gong Ming being appointed as the Overall-in-charge, Taoists and Chinese would honoured him, requesting Zhao Gong Ming to “Open” the Wealth Coffer for the Poor or Needy.

So when is the Best timing to pay respect to Heavenly Marshal Zhao Gong Ming?

For some Taoists & Chinese, they tend to start the honouring at Zi/Rat Hour (子時 in China 11Pm to 01Am, Singapore 0000Hour) but some can honoured Zhao Gong Ming at 9.00Am in the Morning till Evening time (best before Sunset).

For Year 2013, the Best Timing is 12.08Pm (癸巳蛇年最佳乞財時間:中午十二時一刻).

So in Singapore, where can we pay respect to Heavenly Marshal Zhao Gong Ming?

Here’re a few recommended Official Temples that oneself can visit:

Yue Hai Qing Temple (粵海清廟) at Philip Road (in CBD, at the Side Altar)

Yu Huang Temple (玉皇殿) at Havelock Road (at the Side Altar)

Jin Lan Temple (金蘭廟) at KimTian Road Tiong Bahra (at the Side Hall)

Tuas Pek Kong Temple (大士伯公宮) located at 118 Boon Lay Drive

Sembawang Cai Shen Temple (三巴旺財神廟) at Admiralty Road (in the Main Hall)

So what are the Offerings that needed to prepare?

Here are the suggested items:

1 - One set of Mandarins (5 quantities 大吉)

2 - One set of Chinese Tea Leaves & Traditional Cookies (Jian He 餞盒)

3 - One set of Cai Shen Incense-paper (optional 財神金)

4 - One set of Cai Shen Robe (in Red Color 紅色財神袍)

5 - One set of Incense (not to short, medium length will be best - more than 48cm 富貴長壽香)

6 - One Huat Kueh (發糕)

7 - Five Ancient Coins or The Five Emperors Coins (五個銅錢或五帝錢)
(Five Emperors Coins Pls refer to link: http://javewutaoismplace.blogspot.sg/2007/12/wu-di-qian-aka-five-ancient-coins-of_2302.html)

8 - One Red Packet (一個紅包)

9 - One set of Red Candles (一對斗燭/紅燭)

After getting ready All the Offerings, visit any of the Temples and place All the Offerings on the Altar that dedicated to Heavenly Marshal Zhao Gong Ming.

Upon completing the placing of the Offerings, proceed to pay respect to the Main Deities in the Temple and last, proceed to the Altar for Zhao Gong Ming.

Sincerely light the Long Incense, make 3 Respectful Bows and then kneel in front of the Altar.

Report to Zhao Gong Ming who you are and where you stay and then request for Good Luck & Necessary Blessing from him. (if you know of reciting the Bao Gao (寶誥), then do it before you do your reporting. Bao Gao can be found here: http://javewu.multiply.com/photos/album/121)

After reporting and requesting, stand up and sincerely bow 3 times again and then place the Incenses in the Urn and then step off the Altar area.

After 15 minutes, retrieved the Paper-offerings and burn them off.

Upon completion, return to the Altar, retrieve the Ancient Coins and make 3 rounds above the Burning Incenses, allow the Coins to receive the Blessings and then, keep them in the Red Packet. Keep the Coins by one's side in-order to get Blessing for the Good Luck & Wealth.

Once this is done, then the whole Ceremony will be considered smoothly done.

San Wu Liang 三無量