Introduction of Tam Kong aka Immortal Tan (元代神童譚峭公)

 
Tam Kong aka Immortal Tan, a famous Cantonese Deity that being honoured by the Cantonese Clan (廣東籍) in Hong Kong (香港) and also, South East Asia (東南亞).

Tam Kong, real name known as Tan Qiao (譚峭) or Tan Xiao, born in Yuan Dynasty (元朝), 8th Day of Lunar 4 Month (農曆四月初八日). Hometown in Guang Dong Province, Hui Dong City & Gui Shan Area (廣東省惠東市歸善人).

Since young, Tam Kong had being doing Self Cultivation on Taoist Skills and Knowledge, by the age of 12, Tam Kong was able to use his Spiritual Will and Power to assist the needy.

Due to his Wisdom and Knowledge on the Taoist Skills, at a young age, Tam Kong was able to issue different prescription for different illnesses.

One day, in his 12th Year of staying in this Mortal World, Tam Kong got a Summoning Order from the Heaven for him to return to the Celestial Palace to continue his service in the Heavenly Realm.

After receiving the Summoning Order for not more than 3 Days, Tam Kong got his Enlightenment.

And this is why, in some Area, you will see the statue of Tam Kong in little kid form.

Another story about Tam Kong was:

Tam Kong, born near to a Fishing Village in Gui Shan Area.

After growing up, Tam Kong would always used his Spiritual Will & Power to assist the fishermen on what was the best time to go on sailing or when to avoid going out to the sea.

By the kindness assistance, Tam Kong saved quite a lot of Mortals from meeting up with the storm and this is why, many Folks also Honoured him as Deity of Sea or Water.

One year, while Tam Kong was out in the forest to do plucking of the various types of Chinese Herbs, an Old Man approached him.

At first, Tam Kong was shocked to see an elderly person in the forest, but after a short moment of communicating, Tam Kong put down his suspicious and continue to exchange ideas on the Chinese Medication with the Old Man.

Soon, the Evening approached, knowing that the Mother was waiting at home, Tam Kong departed with the Old Man, just before Tam Kong left, the Old Man passed him a packet of Chinese Herbs and advised Tam Kong to eat it when he reached home.

Upon reaching home, Tam Kong was curious with the packet and so, immediately after he opened up the packet, he ate all the Chinese Herbs and to his disappointment, nothing happened.

As time went by, all the people around Tam Kong had grown old, but only left Tam Kong who still stayed in his early 20's look, only then, Tam Kong realised that the Chinese Herbs that he took many years ago was Immortal Elixir.

Soon, Tam Kong left his hometown to continue his Cultivation.

Many years after his left, people saw Tam Kong in other faraway land with the youthful look, immediately after the people saw him, Tam Kong transformed himself into a gust of Fume and returned back to the Heavenly Realm.

From then, the people around his hometown setup Temples dedicating to Tam Kong hoping that Tam Kong will provide the necessary blessings for the people.
In Taoism, Tam Kong is also known as Zi Xiao Zhen Ren (紫霄真人) aka Immortal Purple Cloud.

For High Res Pictures, please proceed to this link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/taoism_deity_singapore_2007/photos/album/804429282/pic/list