Manifestation Anniversary (Birthday) of Xuan Tian Shang Di (玄天上帝千秋聖誕)

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Lord Emperor Xuan Tian, in Chinese known as Xuan Tian Shang Di (玄天上帝) or Shang Di Gong (上帝公), full Official Title known as Yu Xu Shi Xiang Xuan Tian Shang Di jin Que Hua Shen Dang Mo Tian Zun (玉虛師相玄天上帝金闕化身蕩魔天尊).

Xuan Tian Shang Di, a very Important and Popular in Taoism Context, far during Tang Dynasty (唐朝), before the Taoists and Chinese pay respect to Jade Emperor of Heaven aka Yu Huang Da Tian Zun (玉皇大天尊), Xuan Tian Shang Di is the Highest Position Deity that the Tang Commoners honoured. During Tang Dynasty, other than Xuan Tian Shang Di, no Deities are to dress-up in an Emperor Outfit or wearing an Emperor Head-gear, only in Song Dynasty, after Jade Emperor of Heaven being recognised and accepted as the Main Key person who sit on the Heavenly Realm Emperor Throne, then, Xuan Tian Shang Di is being lower one level down to assist Jade Emperor of Heaven in looking into issues that associated with Spiritual Skills and Power.

For Zheng Yi Sect (正一天師道), besides honouring Heavenly Master Zhang Dao Ling (張道陵天師), another MUST honoured Deity will be Xuan Tian Shang Di. This is why, in Zheng Yi Sect Rituals, you will see Scroll-paintings of Xuan Tian Shang Di & Zhang Tian Shi being placed at the same level besides San Qing (三清道祖).

Why is this so?

Cos we believed that, Zhang Tian Shi, the one who founded Taoism, promoted Taoism and consolidated all the necessary Teaching & Culture of our Upright Taoism and whereas Xuan Tian Shang Di, a Deity that assist in looking after the development of Spiritual Skills, Spiritual Power and Heavenly Armies, etc, of our Upright Taoism. By honouring them, we show our highest respect to Taoism and also, to make our most Sincere Vows in promoting and witholding our Upright Taoism.

Okay, back to Topic, on the 3rd Day of Lunar 3 Month (農曆三月初三日), it is considered as the Manifestation Anniversary or so-called Birthday of Xuan Tian Shang Di (for Year 2008, it falls on 8 April). On this Day, the Chinese or Taoists will visit Temples that dedicate Altars or Statues to Xuan Tian Shang Di to make their respect.

And so, what to prepare?

According to our Chinese Custom & Folks Practice, here are some recommended items to be prepared for the paying respect:

1 Five Oranges (桔子)
2 Longevity Noodles (壽麵)
3 Longevity Peaches (壽桃)
4 Ang Ku Kueh (紅龜粿)
5 Huat Kueh (發糕)
6 Rice Wine (米酒)
7 Chinese Tea (茶)
8 Paper Offerings (紙料)
9 Candles (蠟燭)

Once all these stuffs are prepared and ready, then one self can proceed to the Temple.

1st, pay respect to the Heaven & Main Deities in the Temple and then last, proceed to the Altar that honoured Xuan Tian Shang Di.

Make a Bow in front of the Altar and then sincerely kneel down and proceed with the following Passage (for those who know how to recite the Bao Gao of Xuan Tian Shang Di, can recite it first before reciting the following Passage):

今逢。
Jin Feng.

玄天上帝。(拜)
Xuan Tian Shang Di (Bow)

千秋聖誕之期。
Qian Qiu Sheng Dan Zhi Qi.

南洋新加坡共和國。 (你的住址) 。
Nan Yang Xin Jia Po Gong He Guo. (Your Address)

信士 (你的名字) 。及闔家同人。
Xin Shi (Your Name). Ji He Jia Tong Ren.

於此。
Yu Ci

虔備薄禮酒儀。
Qian Bei Bo Li Jiu Yi.

敬向。
Jing Xiang.

玄天上帝。(拜)
Xuan Tian Shang Di (Bow)

虔誠請安。慶賀聖誕。
Qian Cheng Qing An. Qing He Sheng Dan.

於此虔祈。
Yu Ci Qian Qi.

玄天上帝。(拜)
Xuan Tian Shang Di (Bow)

玄法度助萬民康。天界地世遍樂岸。
Xuan Fa Du Zhu Wan Min Kang. Tian Jie Di Shi Bian Le An.

上真千聖降賜福。帝尊駕前得平安。
Shang Zhen Qian Sheng Jiang Ci Fu. Di Zun Jia Qian De Ping An

以佑。
Yi You.

信士 (你的名字) 。及闔家同人。
Xin Shi (Your Name). Ji He Jia Tong Ren.

一年富貴常在。月月身康體泰。
Yi Nian Fu Gui Chang Zai. Yue Yue Shen Kang Ti Tai.

四季得人貴助。萬事遂心平安。
Si Ji De Ren Gui Zhu. Wan Shi Sui Xin Ping An.

於此。
Yu Ci.

信士 (你的名字) 。及闔家同人。
Xin Shi (Your Name). Ji He Jia Tong Ren.

敬向。
Jing Xiang.

玄天上帝。(拜)
Xuan Tian Shang Di (Bow)

獻三拜三叩禮。
Xian San Bai Li.

一拜。再拜。三拜。禮成。(起立)
Yi Bai. Zai Bai. San Bai. Li Cheng (Raise)

After rising, make another sincere Bow and then left the spot.

After about 15 minutes, retrieve the Paper-offerings and then burn them off.

Once the Paper-offerings are being burnt, go back to the Altar, make another sincere Bow and then retrieve back the Offerings, bring them back home and share with the other members in the Family.

And so, the whole Paying Respect to Xuan Tian Shang Di is considered end.

PS: Information on Xuan Tian Shang Di: http://javewu.multiply.com/photos/album/19