Dear all,
Zheng Yi High Priest Chen Lian Sheng (Taoist Title Ding Chang 陳蓮笙鼎昌大道長) had attained Enlightenment at the age of 92.
His Enlightenment date was on 29 Oct 2008 (2nd Day of Lunar 10 Month 農曆十月初二日子時) at Rat Hour.
Before he got Enlightenment, he was being elected as one of the Chair Person in the Taoist Association in china and also, he is the Leader of Shanghai Cheng Huang Temple.
High Priest Chen Lian Sheng had spent his whole life promoting our Upright Taoist Culture and Teaching.
Long Shan Men and all disciples pay our Highest Respect to him.
According to Chinese Deity Systems Record, here are the Birthdays of the various Taoist Deities, Patrons, Sages & Immortals in the Lunar Tenth Month.
十月初十日水仙尊王聖誕
10th Day of Lunar 10 Month: Dukes Shui Xian
十月十三日溫瓊元帥誕辰
13th Day of Lunar 10 Month: Heavenly Marshal Wen Qiong
十月十五日下元水官大帝千秋
15th Day of Lunar 10 Month: Heavenly Lord of Waterly Realm
十月十八日虛空地母至尊華誕
18th Day of Lunar 10 Month: Mother Lord of Earth
十月二十日虛靖天師聖誕
20th Day of Lunar 10 Month: Heavenly Master Xu Jing
十月廿二日青山靈安尊王聖誕
22nd Day of Lunar 10 Month: Duke Ling An
十月廿四日保生大帝下降日
24th Day of Lunar 10 Month: Lord Bao Sheng Descending Day
十月廿五日許旌陽天師聖誕
25th Day of Lunar 10 Month: Heavenly Master Xu
Last Sunday, 26 Oct 2008 (28th Day of Lunar 9 Month), Long Shan Men had conducted a simple and yet Official Ceremony for Heavenly Marshal Hua Guang (斗口靈官馬華光元帥), cos this Day was considered as the Manifestation Anniversary (Birthday) of him.
In the Morning at about 11.00Am, I arrived at the Office to do the necessary preparation for the Birthday Respect (祝壽) and also to do the preparation for the Dotting Ceremony (開光點眼) for another batch of new Deities. This time round, Lord Zao Jun aka Kitchen Deity (司命灶君), Bao Sheng Da Di aka Lord Medicine (保生大帝) and Long Xuan Zu Shi aka Spiritual Master Long Xuan (龍玄祖師), were invited to our Long Shan Men.
After the necessary preparation and the arrival of the various students, the dotting Ceremony was being conducted.
At around 2.00Pm, the Statue of Jade Emperor of Heaven (玉皇大天尊) arrived in the Office (being staying with another local Taoist Group for quite sometime and now, it’s time to invite the statue back to our own Long Shan Men) and after Raising the Seat (昇座) for Jade Emperor of Heaven, the Birthday Respect ceremony started.
With rounds of Kowtows, Chanting and offerings, the Birthday Respect Ceremony ended at around 3.00Pm and then, all of us proceeded to the Sending off of Deities and Paper-offerings. That Day, even though the weather didn’t seems good but at least, no rain-pour occurred during the sending-off.
Upon completion of the Sending-off, it was time for us to have our Feast and so after keeping the Offerings and do cleaning in the Office, we proceed to have our late Lunch and after the Lunch, we went to Wan Shan Fu De Ci (萬山福德祠) to pay respect to the Old Hua Guang Yuan Shuai in the Temple.
Finally, it’s time for us to go back home and rest.
Next year, we will have another better and more better Celebration for Heavenly Marshal Hua Guang.
May he provide us with the necessary Blessing of Good Wealth and Great Knowledge.
Wu Liang Shou (無量壽).
PS:
This Ceremony is considered as the Official First Birthday Respect being conducted in Long Shan Men’s Office.
This time round, due to the inviting of Jade Emperor of Heaven’s statue back, we had prepared quite a number of Offerings, which is considered as the Highest Respect in Chinese Custom and Religion Practice.
Most of the Offerings are sponsored by Friends of Long Shan Men and some of the Students.
| Start: | Nov 9, '08 2:00p |
| End: | Nov 9, '08 3:00p |
| Location: | Singapore |
On the 12th Day of Lunar 10 Month (9 Nov 2008 Sunday) at 2.00Pm, Long Shan Men will be conducting a simple Official Paying Respect Ceremony to the 64th Heavenly Master Zhang Yuan Xian in the current Long Shan Men Office.
For those who are able to join in the Ceremony, please do give me a PM or email at javecxwu@gmail.com.
Arrangement will be made accordingly.
This Morning, in Taiwan, the Official Announcement of 64th Heavenly Master Zhang Yuan Xian passing-on had released to the Whole World.
The 4 Main Press Groups were being informed and the news had been released. For the moment, Si Han Tian Shi Fu (嗣漢天師府) had been busily preparing for the Ritual/Ceremony for Raising the Seat (登座) for Heavenly Master Zhang Yuan Xian.
According to the will of Heavenly Master Zhang Yuan Xian, the 65th Heavenly Master will be appointed in no time and this will be the next Official Heavenly Master of Zheng Yi Sect in the World.
PS: Currently, there are a few Fake & Con-men "Heavenly Masters" popped out to do conning on other Taoists, so do be aware.
Below is the Official Press-release:
〔記者陳鳳麗／南投報導〕道教嗣漢第64代「張天師」張源先，已回返天庭覆命！張源先因病已於本月17日過世，第65代「張天師」由誰出任受矚目，據其家人透露，他已把人選寫在遺囑中，會擇期對外公布。
定居在南投縣草屯鎮的第64代「張天師」張源先，是在10月17日（農曆9月19日）因肝疾過世，享年78歲。其仙逝是道教界的大事，目前已由天師府受職的「大法師」和「夫人」共32人，分別負責場地、經典科儀、堪輿、事務等事務，此外張源先的3個女兒，則另有兩組人協助文宣等工作 。
張源先生前交代家人，後事須依道教古禮舉行，並予以土葬，而因為他的職務和地位，道教界將把他的後事以「登座」方式辦理，讓他登上天上的職位。據透露，在11月10日到11月20日（即農曆10月13日到10月23日）進行啟建黃籙大齋。目前場地初步決定在南投縣草屯鎮僑光棒壘球場。
「張天師」張源先去世消息已在網路上傳開，道教界人士在雅虎奇摩知識網站上打起筆仗，討論誰是65代「張天師」繼任人選。
由去年中國另行扶植道教張天師，指定張金濤擔任江西省龍虎山嗣漢天師府住持，聲稱是第65代「張天師」，惟張源先在世時，已嚴正駁斥，指張金濤本姓魯，是第63代「張天師」的外孫，根本不具資格。在張源先仙逝後，道教界都在關心第65代「張天師」的人選，張的家人堅定的表示，父親早有決定。
其家人透露，張源先生前已自書遺囑，對於65代天師人選則在遺囑中有交代，未來會擇期公布。由於道教資深教長都在台灣，「張天師」家族在台灣也有後代，要在台灣產生第65代「張天師」不是難事。
The Day had arrived and this was the issue that I had been trying to avoid and don’t dare to think of, since the Day I heard that our 64th Heavenly Master Zhang Yuan Xian had suffered from certain illnesses.
Last Friday Mid-night, upon getting the news from my Taiwan Senior on our 64th Heavenly Master had passed-on (got Enlightenment), I was totally shocked and felt terribly miserable and sad, cos I knew that I wouldn’t be able to see our dearest 64th Heavenly Master Zhang Yuan Xian anymore.
On the death-bed of my Late Master – Master Ding Gui, he had mentioned to me and strongly advised me to travel to Taiwan to meet up with our dearest 64th Heavenly Master, after the 3rd Year of his passing-on, but till today, I had yet to have the chance to make a trip to Taiwan.
During the last staying period of my Late Master, he verbally-passed me a few statements, hoping that I can convey his messages to our dearest 64th Heavenly Master, but maybe now, they would had met up in the Celestial Realm.
Since the 62nd Heavenly Master and my Late Grandmaster met in the 1800s, Long Shan Men and the Heavenly Masters had been working quite closely to promote the Culture of Taoism in China, Taiwan and Singapore.
In 1930s, while 63rd Heavenly Master came to Singapore, my Late Grandmaster & Master had been with them for quite sometime until our 63rd Heavenly Master migrated to Taiwan.
After 64th Heavenly Master Zhang Yuan Xian ascended the Seat of Heavenly Master, my Late Master and Elders had been keeping close interaction with him until in 1970s, Long Shan Men being forced to stop operating by some of our Local Taoist Groups.
Since then, the interaction between Long Shan Men and Heavenly Master Zhang Yuan Xian seems to get lesser and lesser.
Year 2000, my bed-ridden Late Master had been telling me of visiting Taiwan one day when I’m able to and I did promised him to do so, but till today, I had yet to fulfill his dream.
On 17 Oct 2008, around 3.00 – 4.00Am in the Morning, our dearest 64th Heavenly Master Zhang Yuan Xian got his Enlightenment at the age of 78.
No one can change the History but to accept it and continue to live in it.
For now, Jave just sincerely hope that our 64th Heavenly Master Zhang Yuan Xian can give is the necessary Blessing and guide us in the Right Path to promote our Culture & Teaching of Taoism.
Wu Liang Guan
Wu Lian Shou
Long Shan Men 35th Generation Leader Xiao Hua Jun (Jave) and All disciples and the families pay our highest respect to 64th Heavenly Master Zhang Yuan Xian.
In the Morning of 17 Oct 2008 (19th Day of Lunar 9 Month), our dearest and most honourable 64th Heavenly Master Zhang Yuan Xian had left us after gaining his Enlightenment (pass-on at home in Taiwan Tainan).
As a Taoist, we needed to show our best respect to him for promoting and bringing all our Taoist together.
In the following is the list of the Names of the 500 Spiritual Protectors in Taoism, which we called Ling Guan (五百道教守護神).
This set of Names are being recorded since dont-know-when-Era and now, seldom people will used this set of Names for any special events or occasions.
This set of Names can be found in the Taoist Record known as Dao Zang Ji Yao (道藏輯要), which in Singapore bookstores, it is totally impossible to find that.
Due to there are too many names, for the moment, I wont be able to add in the Han Yu Pin Yin version, will do it soon.
For High Res Pictures, please proceed to this link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/taoism_deity_singapore_2007/photos/album/64446346/pic/list
Xu Fu (徐福), full name known as Xu Jun Pang (徐君旁), a Cultivated Person or Priest during the Qin Dynasty.
According to records, Xu Fu was born before BCE 220, exact date & hometown unknown.
After Emperor Qin aka Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇) conquered the other Six Kingdoms (六國統一) and beginning to believe in Immortality, Emperor Qin started to have thoughts of gaining Long Life-span and so, after searching and discussion, Xu Fu was being summoned into the Qin Palace to do explanation and research on where to get the Long-life Elixir (長生不老藥).
Upon summoning and enquiries made by Emperor Qin, Xu Fu replied that, in-order to get the Long-life Elixir, oneself will needed to travel to the various Immortal Islands that are far from China. According to the records of Spiritual Master Gui Gu (鬼谷先師), there are 3 Immortal Mountains, which are known as Peng Lai, Fang Zhan & Ying Zhou (蓬萊。方丈。瀛洲). On these 3 Mountains, there are plenty of Immortal Plants that are able to made into Elixir for consuming to gain Long-life.
After hearing what Xu Fu had replied, Emperor Qin ordered Xu Fu to plan for the traveled to the Immortal Mountains.
Around BCE 210, Xu Fu went for his journey to look for the Elixir.
Just before Xu Fu set-off for the searching, Xu Fu made a request to Emperor Qin that, in-order to have a better result on the searching, he will need a total number of 3000 boys and girls (三千童男童女). Upon knowing of the request, Emperor Qin summoned his assistants to capture 3000 boys and girls to accompany Xu Fu out into the Faraway Land.
Years went by and soon, Emperor Qin reached his Life-limitation but Xu Fu had yet to return to the Qin Empire. Upon disappointment, Emperor Qin passed away with hatred and regrets. Just before Emperor Qin passed-away, he advised his Family Members and the other Officers who made planning for his Funeral to direct his Tombstone to face the Direction of where Xu Fu set-off for the searching of Elixir – reason, hoping that one day Xu Fu will returned and he can get back to life after Xu Fu feed the Elixir into his dying mouth.
Many Years after Qin Empire fall, people spread rumours about Xu Fu had gained Enlightenment after he found the Elixir himself.
But according to some History Records, Xu Fu actually went to Japan (日本 maybe he lost his way on the Sea route, etc) with the 3000 boys and girls. After finding that Japan was not a bad place to stay, Xu Fu and the 3000 boys and girls settled down in the Island to become the first group of People to stay on the deserted Island. And after many years, People believed that they will the Ancestors of the Japanese today.
If you will to go to Japan, you are still able to find Temples & Shrines dedicated to Xu Fu.
Liao Tian Ding (廖添丁), a Righteous Robber whom born in AD1883, 15th Day of Lunar 4 Month. Hometown in Taiwan, Tai Zhong Area (台灣台中市).
At the age of 2, Liao’s Father was killed due to an argument. After Liao’s Father passed-away, his Mother – Madam Wang Zu (王足), started to go around in the whole Country to look for Good Lawyer to fight for her husband’s innocent death.
After years of traveling and engaging of Lawyers, Madam Wang Zu was down with terrible debts, in-order to support the family, Madam Wang Zu had to re-marry to another guy known as Cai Rong (蔡榮) as the Mistress and so Liao had to follow his mother to married into the Cai Family.
Upon marrying into the Cai Family, Cai Rong’s initial wife couldn’t get along with Liao and Madam Wang Zu decided to send Liao to his aunt’s place and so from then, Liao stayed with his aunt known as Liao Ah Bao (廖阿寶).
At a young age, Liao started to work as coolie in a nearby shop, due to his mischievous attitude, Liao always get into trouble and his aunt had to step out to cease the trouble created.
After growing up, Liao followed his hometown-mate to Taipei to look for jobs.
Upon reaching Taipei (台北), Liao got a job in a shop as an assistant selling the daily necessities. One day, Liao was being accused for stealing some of the items in the shop and was sacked immediately by the boss, from then, Liao’s bad reputation was being spread around the town and no one dared to employ him.
With the boycotting by the Town people, Liao had to wander around to seeking assistances from the others.
As Liao’s age got older, Liao slowly understood that how Japanese Government tortured his fellow Country-mate (during that Era, Taiwan was under the governor of Japan), Liao started to create a lot of trouble for the Japanese Governor and at certain times, Liao even sneaked into houses of such Rich Japanese to steal money and valuable stuffs to distribute out to the suffering Taiwanese.
Year 1909 (明治四十二年), 18th Day of Lunar 11 Month, Liao was being asked to meet up with some of his friends in one of the deserted place in Ba Li County (八里鄉). Due to few days of standing guard against the Japanese invading, Liao was terribly exhausted and felt restless. Just at the time of seeing his friends approaching, Liao stood up to wave to them and just at that very moment, Liao saw a group of Japanese Soldiers running towards him carrying their Guns.
Liao wanted to run but due to his tiring physical body, Liao was caught and after the Japanese Soldiers caught him, Liao refused to surrender to them and on the spot, Liao was being killed, at that time, Liao was only 26 years old.
After Liao’s death, those people who had got his kind assistances before, set up Altars for him, in-order to show their gratitude to Liao. And the friends that betrayed Liao was being boycott by the fellow people.
Few decades later, Temples dedicating to Liao were built in-order to keep in memory of how Liao showed his braveness while fighting against the invaders.
