《己亥歲始立春日》

《己亥歲始立春日》 

【立春聖日】就要來臨，【立春】一到，便是新的一年的開始，也正式踏入【己亥豬年】。

在這天，除了得向【神明】上供，【安奉太歲】，【祭祖】及【點燈祈福】，當然還得出外「迎春接春」。

此日迎春，記得得穿【紅】或【亮色】系。

Ushering in the Spring - Li Chun Day 2019

A Year is about to End and a New Year is around the corner to allow us to usher in.

Time flashes like Lighting. Now we are already in Year 2019 and for Lunar Year will be Ji Hai Pig Year (己亥豬年).

So what is Li Chun Day?

A lot of people might not know that, actually our Lunar New Year will start on Li Chun Day or Lunar New Year will only be consider as Officially Arrived only after Li Chun Day.

Li Chun Day is a day to mark the start of a New Lunar Year and also, to mark the Arrival of the Spring Season.

Usually after Li Chun Day, most of the plants will start to grow again, snow will slowly cease and accumulated-ice will start to melt, etc.

So how to know when is Li Chun Day?

According to the Ancient Calculation, Li Chun Day will be within 49days after Dong Zhi (冬至) aka Winter Solstice or +/- 9 days from Lunar New Year (except for special Lunar Calendar Year).

In Solar Calendar (陽曆), usually Li Chun Day will fall within 3rd, 4th or 5th of every February.

For Year 2019, it falls on 04 Feb, a Sunday (己亥豬年農曆臘月三十日), starts at 1114 Hr (午時一刻).

So what are the events that will happen on Li Chun Day?

In the past, on Li Chun Day, Emperor would led the Officers of the Imperial Court to the Eastern Field (東郊 out from the Capital City) to usher the Spring or Deity of Spring (迎春神), this represent the Spring Deity was there to perform his task, etc.

As for commoners, they would visit Temples to pay respect to Deities for blessing for the New Year.

Some Folks Organisations would organize Traditional performances, Lion Dances, Guessing-games, etc.

For the modern day now, due to works, education, etc, a lot of such Traditional Dates/Festivals are being forgotten. This is indeed a pity sad thing.

Besides the above mentioned Events, Li Chun Day is also a Day to usher in Lord Tai Sui of the New Lunar Year (值年太歲星君).

For those who are being affected by the Confliction of Lord Tai Sui, Oneself or the Family can visit Old Temples with Proper Altar set-up dedicating to Lord Tai Sui to pay their respect. After the paying respect to Lord Tai Sui, everything will be fine and if Oneself is Sincere & Upright, that Year will usually turn out Good & Peaceful.

So when is the Best Timing to visit Temple to pay respect to Lord Tai Sui?

For those who are Not working, you can start to visit Temple to honour Lord Tai Sui after Li Chun Day (next day), for those who are working, then you can choose to visit the Temple on Weekends, but remember to do it before the Lunar New Year arrives.

Last of All, an Advise for ALL. For those who are able to visit 3 Temples on Li Chun Day, it will be Great. This action is to eliminate ALL un-necessary Negative Energies that have pestered Oneself for the past 1 Year. As for those who cant make it, Family Members or Friends can assist in paying respect to the Deities on-behalf of them.

For those who needed to Replenish their Spiritual Coffer (消災改運添補庫), Li Chun Day is also a Good Day to perform this Ceremony.

相關資訊  More info on Li Chun Day:

立春點燈  Lighting Blessing Lamp on Li Chun Day -

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

立春開春習俗之咬春 Li Chun consuming of Spring Roll

http://javewutaoismplace.blogspot.sg/2014/02/li-chun-consuming-of-spring-roll.html

立春開春旺財法 Multiplying the Wealth on Li Chun Day

http://javewutaoismplace.blogspot.sg/2014/02/multiplying-wealth-on-li-chun-day.html

《道教新春文化。歲末年首。南北斗星君。察巡天下》

《道教新春文化。歲末年首。南北斗星君。察巡天下》

南北星斗巡天下。

造冊記錄奏玉駕。

一心顯誠千惡滅。

三叩九敬萬福降。

【玉皇大天尊】與「臘月廿五日」巡視天下後，到了「大年除夕」的「前一天」，便是【南北斗星君】下凡錄簿之時，這也是一年最後的「天神巡視」，而這一次的【南北斗星君】下凡錄簿，便會影響來年【上元天官】攷校天下時的「承負」了。

Annual Inspection of Lord Nan Bei Dou before New Lunar Year

With the completion of the Inspection conducted by Heavenly Supreme Emperor Yu Huang (玉皇大天尊), it’s the turn for Star Lord Nan Bei Dou (南北斗星君) to conduct their Annual Inspection for the Year.

Upon completion of this Annual Inspection, Individual’s Conduct will be recorded and the Records will be used to Grade the Blessing for the Individual for the Old Year (為新年察巡天下以定福禍).

This Year, the Inspection falls on 29th Day of Lunar 12 Month (臘月廿九日), which is 03 Feb, a Sunday.

For more detailed info on how to prepare for this Day, please refer to the following;

In Taoist Culture, 1 Day before the Lunar New Year’s Eve, is considered as the Inspection Day of Lord Nan Bei Dou (南北斗星君).

On this Day, Taoists will visit Temples or Set-up Altar at Home to usher in Lord Nan Bei Dou in-order to request for the Necessary Blessing for the Lunar New Year.

So what is the Main Purpose of this Inspection?

On the 25th Day of Lunar 12 Month, Heavenly Supreme Emperor Yu Huang (玉皇大天尊) had made his Inspection on the Mortal World to check on the on-going activities that Mortals are involved in and during this Inspection, Heavenly Supreme Emperor Yu Huang will definitely be there to check on the Good & Evil Doings of Mortals. And so, after this Inspection, Heavenly Supreme Emperor Yu Huang will need a Follow-up Inspection by the Associated Officers to do the Recording and so, before a New Lunar Year arrives, Lord Nan Bei Dou will be appointed to do the Inspection in-order for them to do the necessary Recording on the Credits, Merits, Sins & Debts of Mortals and from there, the equality-blessing will be bestowed upon the Mortal accordingly.

After the necessary Recordings are being made and being reported to Heavenly Supreme Emperor Yu Huang, on the 15th Day of Lunar 1 Month (農曆正月十五日), Heavenly Lord of Heavenly Realm aka Tian Guan Da Di (天官大帝) will be there to perform the Inspection and Distributing of Fortune & Prosperity to the Mortals (賜福人間) who have gained the necessary Blessing according to their Accumulated Credits & Merits.

Before that, On the Eve of Lunar New Year (大年除夕), Fu Lu Shou (福祿壽) – the Three Prosperity Stars will be there to distribute the necessary Blessing to the Mortals for the Lunar New Year. Due to this piece of Info is not being widely share among the Taoists & Chinese, a lot of People tend to mistaken that on the Eve of Lunar New Year is a Day to usher in the Deity of Wealth (財神), which is Wrong and this is just a Commercial Trick that Modern People had planned.

So what to do on this Day?

For Lord Nan Bei Dou’s Inspection Day, usually some simple Honouring being done will do.

Main Purpose of this Honouring is to Sincerely & Faithfully making Self-reflection & Reprimanding of One’s Wrong Doing for the past 1 Year and hoping by doing so, Lord Nan Bei Dou will be there to provide the necessary Guidance for Oneself and Oneself will be able to be Blessed by the Heaven for the next 12 Months.

Besides that, this is also to remind Oneself that from this Day onwards, Oneself shall be more Kind, Compassionate and Caring towards the others and also, Oneself must be responsible in ALL Physical & Verbal actions that Oneself has made.

So what to Prepare for the Honouring?

For the Offerings, Oneself can prepare the following:

1 – 3 cups of Chinese Tea or Water (三杯清茶/水)

2 – 5 Longevity Buns (五個壽桃包)

3 – 1 packet of Longevity Noodles (一份長壽面)

4 – 1 Huat Kueh (一個發糕)

5 – 1 Nian Gao (一個年糕)

6 – 1 set of Red Candles (一對紅燭)

7 – 3 Long Incenses (三支長壽香)

Once all the Offerings are Ready, just proceed to any nearby Temples to do the Honouring.

So what to Say during the Honouring?

Before Oneself make any form of Requests, remember to make 3 Sincere Bow and then Kneel down.

Upon Kneeling down, report Oneself’s Name, DOB, Residing Address, Today’s Date and the Request that Oneself making. After the Requesting, make 3 Bows and then stand up.

Remember, do not make any form of Un-realistic Requesting, especially to Lord Nan Bei Dou, San Guan Da Di (三官大帝), etc.

南北斗星君在上。

Nan Bei Dou Xing Jun Zai Shang

道門弟子XXX。

Dao Men Di Zi XXX

生于X年X月X日X時。

Sheng Yu X Nian X Yue X Ri X Shi

凡居XXXXXXX。

Fan Ju XXXXXXX

今臘月廿九日。

Jin La Yue Nian Jiu Ri

欣逢南北斗星君巡查天下。

Xi Feng Nan Bei Dou Xing Jun Xun Cha Tian Xia

道門弟子XXX與此祈求XXXXXXXX。

Dao Men Di Zi XXX Yu Ci Qi Qiu XXXXXXXX

在此獻上三拜敬禮。

Zai Ci Xian Shang San Bai Jing Li

以答謝南北斗星君庇佑之恩。

Yi Da Xie Nan Bei Dou Xing Jun Bi You Zhi En (三拜 Three Bows)

After the Honouring, what to do with the Offerings?

Do remember to bring back the Offerings, if Oneself got Altar at Home, place them on the Altar, if not, the Offerings can be shared among the Family Members.

Last of ALL, wishes ALL of You having a Nice Communication with Lord Nan Bei Dou before Lunar New Year arrives.

《道教正一道宗。進朝彌羅。飛罡朝謁》

《道教正一道宗。進朝彌羅。飛罡朝謁》

「臘月廿五日」【玉皇至尊】「出巡期」，應弟子們的詢問，再次分享。

【大彌羅罡】，【正一道宗文化】中，主要「罡陣」之一，有別於一般【高功】行科時所用的【罡步】。

此【罡】除了「飛昇太虚」，也用於【大祭改】（或補運祈福）。

在「行」此【罡】時，得配合【誥】，【咒】，【符】及【存思】。

在【道教科儀文化】中，【彌羅罡】有分「大」與「小」。

【小彌羅罡】多數用於「上禀」、「呈疏」或「朝敬」。

【大彌羅罡】則又分【先天】及【後天】兩種。

【先天大彌羅罡】，先開【左右斗星門】而進【金闕】，以祈求「宥罪錫福」。

【後天大彌羅罡】，則先入【八卦】再出【星門】，以祈求「消災解厄」。

而不論是「大」或「小」【彌羅罡】，在「行」之前必定得配合【三台罡】、【九天罡】，等等。

《道教新春文化。玉皇出巡。一誥通誠。赦罪錫福》

《道教新春文化。玉皇出巡。一誥通誠。赦罪錫福》

「臘月廿五子時」，就是「一年一度」之「歲末玉皇出巡三界」之期，亦是「民間」稱之的「天神下降日」。

於這天，除了要「上香恭迎聖駕」，也得「上供十二至十五杯清水」，而【道門弟子】則得準備【道教五供】來「接神」。

除此之外，家中燈光得通明，不可吵鬧，如果有把衣物晾在門外者，在「晚間十時」就得收起。

記得於「子時」之前，門外先用「花水」或「净水」衝洗一番，之後再點燃【淨香】或【正炁散】來「淨宅及壇」。

【道門弟子】除了做「功課」外，也得誦念《玉皇寶誥》，以下是便是《玉皇寶誥》中的主要「兩篇」，在此分享，希望大家能用心誦念。

玉皇大天尊寶誥（一）　　

至心皈命禮。

太上彌羅無上天。妙有玄真境。

渺渺紫金闕。太微玉清宮。

無極無上聖。廓落豁光明。

寂寂浩無宗。玄範總十方。

湛寂真常道。恢漠大神通。

玉皇大天尊。玄穹高上帝。

玉皇大天尊寶誥（二）

至心皈命禮。

紫金金闕。白玉玉京。

住妙有之境中。

處玄真之天上。

功圓道備。

放妙相卓冠於諸天。

心廣體胖。

故慈光遍燭於三界。

位尊而上極無上。

道妙而玄之又玄。

真聖宗師。天人依仗。

大悲大願。大聖大慈。

穹蒼聖主玉皇大天尊。　

《道教新春文化。臘月封印迎新歲》

《道教新春文化。臘月封印迎新歲》

【道教】「臘月封印」，既是【道壇】或者【法壇】及【道長法師】們開始放「春假」，不「行科」了。

一般【道教】「臘月封印」，會從「臘月初八日」開始至「臘月廿六日」結束（「官家」則在「臘月十九日」起開始擇日「封印」），在這十六天内，則吉日舉行「封印科」，之後于「正月」再擇日舉行「開印科」（一般在「正月廿六日」之前就得「開印」，「民間」最晚會拖到「農曆二月初一日」）。

【道壇】或者【法壇】及【道長法師】們會在「封印」前，先把在「封印」期間需要用到的【符】、【疏】及【文】準備好，以免要用時，無法使用自己的【法印】而有所耽誤其【道務】。

如真的在「封印」期間，非不得地用到【法印】，則得用【法劍】（或七星劍）將【封條】撥開，這就算提前「開印」，不得再「封回」。

在「封印」前，須準備以下：

1 – 新的黃及紅布

2 – 兩份黃表紙上朱書【封印大吉】及【黃道日封】，之後得交叉貼在印上

3 – 兩份立牌，上書【封印監督元帥】及【守印仙官兵吏】，牌下蓋上【道經師寶】

4 – 兩張【封印符】

5 – 五樣水果

6 – 茶酒水各三杯

7 –金紙/黃錢甲馬

在「封印」當天，先淨壇，調請【封印監督元帥】及【守印仙官兵吏】（將兩張【封印符】貼在「聖位」后），上供，誦經，之後在行「封印」。

「封印」后，將【法印】放於【封印監督元帥】及【守印仙官兵吏】「聖位」之前，「神案」之上，不可讓他人觸碰。

一旦「封印」，就盡量不要打開。

而在「開印」當天，也是準備一樣的供品，有者會加上「牲禮」來答謝【封印監督元帥】及【守印仙官兵吏】，行一樣的科，之後用【法劍】（或七星劍）將【封條】撥開即可，儀式完畢后，在一起把【封印監督元帥】及【守印仙官兵吏】送化。

如今，真正還保留著很完整的【封印文化】，應該屬【海南道教】，因爲每年這個時候，他們就會舉行隆重的「封印儀式」，可惜的事，其他地方就看不到了。

希望大家能多多傳承，將【道教文化】保留及推廣。

《道教新春文化。玉皇大天尊。歲末巡人間。朝敬紙禡》

《道教新春文化。玉皇大天尊。歲末巡人間。朝敬紙禡》

凡有於每年「臘月廿五日」設供朝敬並迎接【玉皇大天尊】臨凡巡視之同道好友，皆可下載並印出以下之【朝敬紙禡】。

朝敬當天，將其「豎立」於【香爐】之前，於朝敬後，一同與【金紙】「化送」。

如若不「化送」，可保留至「大年初九日子時」，向【玉皇大天尊】「祝壽」後再一同「化送」亦可。

祈願：

金闕降福佑，

三界靖安。

玉皇覃慈恩，

百姓臻祥。

《道教新春文化。玉皇大天尊。歲末出巡降人間》

《道教新春文化。玉皇大天尊。歲末出巡降人間》

送灶回天事已週。

恭迎玉皇御駕臨。

祈願御駕降慈佑。

新春平安富貴喜。

又到【歲末】「臘月廿五日」了﹐也就是【司命竈君】返天稟功後，【玉皇大天尊】「下降」出巡【三界】之日。

記得在「廿四亥夜」至「廿五子夜」，上供敬香恭候御駕到來。

上供須：

1 – 十二/十五杯香茶

2 – 道教五供或十供

3 – 大香

4 – 明燈

有者，則會於這個【吉祥日】，啓行「補庫補運儀式」。

在此祝愿各方同道好友﹕

旺年添富貴。

滿春增歡愉。

Jade Emperor of Heaven Inspecting Mortal Realm

After Zao Jun (灶君) aka Kitchen Deity went back to do his Annual Reporting to Jade Emperor of Heaven (玉皇大天尊), Yu Huang will conduct the Final/3^rd Annual Inspection on the Mortals & other Beings in the Mortal Realm for the Bestowing of Blessing for the New Lunar Year.

And this Day falls on 25^th Day of Lunar 12 Month (臘月廿五日), which in 2019, its on 30 Jan.

Details as followed:

After Sending Off our Dearest Kitchen Deity (灶君) back to Heaven for the Annual-Round-Off Reporting, on the 25th Day of Lunar 12 Month, the Big Boss - Jade Emperor of Heaven will be conducting an Inspection on the Mortal Realm.

Last Year, I had touched on the Simple & Basic Info on this Important Day (you can read the intro at: http://javewutaoismplace.blogspot.sg/2008/01/la-yue-customs-lunar-12-month-customs_9014.html), this Year, I will like to concentrate more on the Spiritual or so-called Religious Side of the Thanksgiving Ceremony.

For us as the Zheng Yi Taoists or Priests (正一門徒及道士), usually we will start the Offering or Ushering of Jade Emperor of Heaven's arrival on the 24th Night (around 11.00Pm in Singapore).

If oneself is not able to perform the Ushering on the 24th Night, then oneself can do it in the Morning on the 25th Day.

For those who does not have an Altar at Home and yet you wished to Usher-in the Deities to do Inspection & Blessing at your Home, remember to clean your home and switch-on most of the Lights at Home on the 24th Night. Make sure that your House is Clean and Smell-nice. Try to keep the Door (remember to lock your Gate as to prevent Thiefs coming in) & Window open. On the 25th Day, just visit any Official Temples to pay respect to the Deities to request for Blessing.

Do not argue or quarrel after 10.00Pm on the 24th Night. Try to stay Peace and Calm for the Day. Once the Deities arrived and the Inspection is being Done, certain Remarks will be made and recorded and this will contribute to the Luck-distribution for the Next New Lunar Year.

以下是以大禮朝敬：

So what do we need to prepare (in whole)?

For those who does not have any Altar at home, then oneself wont need to prepare any Offerings.

For those who have Altars and wished to perform the Ushering Ceremony, in the following is a List of suggested Items that you and your Family can prepares:

Food Offerings

1) 1 Set of Fruits (一份水果 )

2) Nian Gao aka New Year Glutinous Rice Cake (年糕)

3) Fa Gao aka Huat Kueh (發糕)

4) 12 Bowls of Vegetarian Items (十二菜碗 6 Vege & 6 Cookie Items) - Hokkien Clan

5) Rice Wine aka Bai Mi Jiu (白米酒)

6) Chinese Tea (上等茶)

Incenses & Paper Offerings

1) 1 Set of Good Quality Long Incenses (長壽香 about 48 cm)

2) 1 Pack of Good Quality Short Incenses (平安香)

3) 1 Pair of Red Candles or Dou Zhu (紅燭/斗燭)

4) 1 Pair of Huang Gao Qian aka Diao Qian (黃高錢/吊錢)

5) 3 Stacks of Tian Gong Jin aka Tai Ji Jin (三份天公金/太極金 )

6) 3 Stacks of Shou Jin aka San Bao Jin (三份壽金/三寶金 )

7) 3 Stacks/Packs Da Gui Ren aka Men Wai Gui Ren Lu Ma Zhi (三份大貴人/門外貴人祿馬祇 )

8) 3 Stacks/Packs Gui Ren Zhi (三份貴人紙 )

9) 1 Set of San Jie Deng Liao (三界燈料/天公燈料)

10) 1 Set of Dou Jin aka Dipper Offering (一份斗金)

11) 1 Set of Jin Gong or Jin Tong aka Golden Basket (一份金貢/金桶)

12) Huang Qian Jia Ma (黃錢鉀馬)

Once All the necessary Offerings are being prepared, on the 24th Afternoon, you can actually lay them out onto the Altar.

When the timing strikes 11.00Pm, you can start to make Usher in the Deities.

For those who prefer to pay respect on the 25th Day Morning, you are encouraged to do that too. Remember to do it before 11.00Am. Best timing to start the honouring will be at 9.00Am.

Due to this time round, you are conducting the Ushering Ceremony, do not send off the Paper-offerings after 15 minutes. You shall at least serve 3 rounds of Tea & Wine before sending off the Paper Offerings.

Each round of the Tea & Wine shall be 15 minutes apart. After every round of Offering the Tea & Wine, make 3 kowtows to the Deities, request your Blessing while you are making your Respect. Do not make any Un-necessary Un-realistic Requests.

Once the 3 rounds of Tea & Wine are being Offered, send off the Paper-offerings. After sending off of the Paper-offerings, retrieved the Food items and distribute them out to Family Members and Friends. Allowed them to get the necessary Blessings too.

Remain the Nian Gao, Fa Gao and 1 set of Oranges on the Altar, only retrieved them on the 26th Day.

Once all these are being done, the Ushering Ceremony for the Year will considered Fully & Smoothly ended.

For more detailed info on how to prepare for this Day, please refer to the following link for the intro:

http://javewutaoismplace.blogspot.sg/2009/01/jade-emperor-of-heaven-inspecting_8739.html

《道教灶神文化。送迎灶神。九天司命降福祐》

《道教灶神文化。送迎灶神。九天司命降福祐》

「農曆臘月廿三日」及「臘月廿四日」，是爲「送灶登座」之日，因而在使用其「疏頭」及「符首」時，就得用以下之【花字】（【八顯文】中的【夏書】）：

常來 – 送

戶陽 – 灶

上行 – 登

不立 – 座

而到了「正月初四日」，「迎灶囘府」就得用如下之【花字】（【八顯文】中的【夏書】）：

歡牙 – 迎

戶陽 – 灶

反來 – 囘

宅家 – 府

各方同道好友，記得下載收存，以便日後使用。

《戊戌狗年。最後一個天赦聖日》

《戊戌狗年。最後一個天赦聖日》

「農曆臘月廿二日」，是為今年度的最後一個【天赦聖日】。

此日爲【玉皇大天尊】駕前【記錄仙官】行「記錄」之日，有罪者【懺悔】，無罪者【祈福】。

如家中有「新喪」，也可爲【往者】行【懺悔儀】，祈求【東宮慈父】接引。

該天吉辰爲【丑】及【辰】時，最晚是爲【申】時，過了不行任何【科目】。

「習法學道」者，記得得「做功課」及「書符」，最佳「時辰」爲【丑】及【卯】時，再來就是行【三八謝罪懺】或者【朝天寶懺】。

【壇】中有【卅六雷】者，則得奉【棗湯】。