Know more about The Seventh Month Celebration 2 (了解農曆七月)

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Other

By the time you read this posting, The Seventh Month Celebration will be just a few Chinese Hours away (or its already the Seventh Month Celebration).

In Folks Culture aka Min Su (民俗), there are quite a number of Dos and Donts.

In here, I will like to do a few quite Important Dos and Donts to everyone, in-order to assist the Folks (or the worried ones) to overcome certain discomfort during the Month.

Note: If oneself is Upright, Pure & Sincere, do not need to take things too hard for the Month. No Being will harm you unless you are Nasty Ones.

Number One:

For Pregnant Women & Physically-weak-people, try not to mingle around in dark corners, silent pathway, cold & quiet gardens, under Trees and inside vacant Units.

Such places are the places that easily gathered Negative Energies and various Unpleasant Magnetic Field.

Once the frequency of oneself and the frequency of such places Matches, oneself will tend to feel uneasy or the Negative Forces will be able to enter into one’s Physical Body causing certain parts of the Body to feel sick or Mentally-discomfort.

If this will to happen, try to use Sandalwood or Agarwood or the Huo Xiang combination to do cleansing after reaching home.

And if the situation carried-on for sometime, try to consult any Doctors or Physicians. And the situation get worst, try to visit Big & Official Temples such as Tian Gong Temple to lessen the Negative Forces.

Number Two:

Children under 3 years old (according to Chinese Age) are not allowed to participate in any form of Seventh Month Rituals/Ceremonies.

Parents are not allowed to bring this group of Children out after Sunset.

Why? Children under 3 years old are still considered as Physical & Spiritual weak and unstable, this is the group of Children that can be easily affected by the Surrounding-changes and Energies Flow.

If this group of Children accidentally joined in any of such Rituals/Ceremonies, after returning home, some of them might get sick – such as Fever, Sleepless-nights or get Bad-dreams at night.

If such issues will to happen, then try to Pay Respect to Chuan Mu (床母) aka The Motherly Lord of Protecting Infants aka The Spiritual Nannies, after 5.00Pm.

How to do so? Just prepare a bowl of cooked-Rice, a drumstick, a plate of cooked-vegetable, 3 stacks of Shou Jin (the normal Josspaper with Fu Lu Shou 壽金), a cup of Chinese Tea, Incenses and Candles.

After preparing, place All the Offerings on a Big Red Round Plate and then placed it on the Bed or in the Bedroom where the Child slept.

Light the Incenses & Candles and then sincerely pay respect to the Chuan Mu, asking for her blessing for the Child. During the paying of respect, remember to recite out the Name & DOB of the Child to Chuan Mu. About 5 minutes after offering the Incenses, the Josspapers can be burnt off.

On the next Morning, used the 5-colored Flowers and some Pomelo-leaves to clean the Body of the Child. Usually after these procedures, the Child will return to a calming state, but if the Child still remains in a suffering state, try to consult any Doctors before taking other necessary and Positive actions.

More Info here: http://javewutaoismplace.blogspot.sg/2009/06/introduction-on-honouring-chuang-gong_14.html

Number Three:

For Chinese Horoscopes of Cow & Horse, try not to attend any Seventh Month Rituals/Ceremonies that often, do not attend any Funerals during this Period (unless the Passed-on is a very close-related member of the Family), try one’s best not to mingle around alone after Sunset.

Why? Due to these 2 Chinese Horoscopes are the 2 which are born with the Less-Spiritual Protection from the Natural Energies in the Three Realms. Once any Negative issues will to happen around these 2 Chinese Horoscopes, they will be the 1st few to get affected.

In-order to lessen the Possibility of getting affected, try one’s best to be more “Obedient” during this Period.

If anything will to happen, what shall oneself do to get the Blessing?

Try to visit Official Taoist Temples (not very Possible to find One in Singapore) that dedicate Altars to Lord Tai Sui (recommended one will be Yue Hai Qing Miao in Philip Street).

Sincerely Pay Respect to the Lord Tai Sui for the Year and also the Lord Tai Sui of one’s Birth-year.

Ask the Blessing from them and then after the Paying of Respect, offered an Ang Bao that contains 12 Coins (for Leap-Month will be 13 Coins) into the Donation Box. Once this is done, leave the Temple and returned home straight.

For those who didn’t really want to visit such Temples to request for Blessing. Then without the next 3 Days, oneself might be down with certain Illnesses such as Fever or Flu. Remember to consult any Doctors if any of this Illnesses “approached” you, cos some of them might worsen.

Deities Birthday & Celebration of Wu Zi Year Lunar 7 Month (戊子年七月神誕及慶典)

According to Chinese Deity Systems Record, here are the Birthday of the various Taoist Deities, Patrons, Sages & Immortals in the Lunar Seventh Month.

七月初七日七星娘娘華誕
7th Day of Lunar 7 Month: Maiden Immortal Seven Stars

七月初七日大成魁星聖誕
7th Day of Lunar 7 Month: Star Lord Kui Xing

七月十五日中元地官千秋
15th Day of Lunar 7 Month: Heavenly Lord of Earthly Realm

七月十八日王母娘娘華誕
18th Day of Lunar 7 Month: Mother Queen of the Western Heaven

七月十九日值年太歲星君聖誕
19th Day of Lunar 7 Month: Lord of Year & Age

七月廿三日諸葛武侯聖誕
23rd Day of Lunar 7 Month: Duke Zhu Ge Kong Ming

七月廿三日法主聖君聖誕
23rd Day of Lunar 7 Month: Heavenly Marshal Zhang Gong Sheng Jun

Photos of Taoist Holy Mountain - He Ming Shan (道教聖地鶴鳴山)

http://mattomalley.multiply.com/photos/album/5/He_Ming_Shan_-_He_Ming_Mountain_-_SzeChuan_

In this Link, you will be able to see the pictures taken by our dearest Taoist Bro - Mr Matt, while he was in Si Chuan He Ming Mountain.

Banner of Zhao Gong Ming Bao Gao 2 (趙公明元帥寶誥)

This is a Bao Gong dedicated to Heavenly Marshal Zhao Gong Ming.

Zhao Gong Ming, one of the 16 Heavenly Marshals and also, part of the 36 Heavenly Generals. In some contexts, he is also the Right Assistant of Xuan Tian Shang Di.

During Rituals, this is the Bao Gao to evoke the Energy from Zhao Gong Ming to arrive in the Venue to do Blessing and Protection.

On his Manifestation Anniversary, this is the Best Mantra to recite in-order to dedicated to him.

More info at http://javewu.multiply.com/photos/album/93

Know more about The Seventh Month Celebration (了解農曆七月)

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Other

Seventh Month, in Folks Culture known as The Ghostly Month (民間稱鬼月), in Taoism known as Zhong Yuan (道教稱中元節) and in other Beliefs known as Happiness and Joyous Festival (其他外來信仰稱歡喜日).

Upon knowing that the Lunar Seventh Month is coming, a lot of the Mortals will tend to have certain fears arise in them, thinking that everywhere in the Mortal Realm, Spirits & Souls will be wandering around to do snatching of offerings and also to do disturbing to the Normal Mortals. If you will to think that way, of cause I cant say that its wrong, but if you think that only in Lunar Seventh Month, then such Nether Beings are out to do such tricks, then I will need to correct you that, it is not True.

From the Universe started to function like what we know now, different form of Beings had been staying with us, the Human Being. Just that, due to the Un-pureness and Non-Cultivation that Human Being got, we are not able to detect their existence that easily, but other-wise, the other Beings are able to detect that we Human Beings are by their side. And so, whenever someone is there to do certain tricks to harm the others and such Beings got the signal of oneself is going to play nasty, such Beings will tend to return the nasty to the Mortal before the Mortal can do anything and this is why, a lot of of such Nasty Mortals always complaint that they got haunted by the other Beings. And so, next time, before you put the blames to the other Beings, asked yourself this question 1st – Did you try to do any nasty thing?

Okay, back to the Topic.

So does Seventh Month really have close association with Ghosts, Spirits & Souls?

To be more accurate, I shall say that, Seventh Month is not a Ghostly Month like what the Folks Culture believed in.

Seventh Month, started in Zhou Dynasty (中元祭祀始于周朝), is a Month or a Festive Period for the Taoists & Chinese to pay respect to their Ancestors, Passed-on Parents, Masters, Teachers, etc. A Month or a Festive Period of remembering the People who had Positive-ly Influence oneself.

In Zhou Dynasty, the most Official Date to do such Honoring & Celebration was on the 15th Day of Lunar 7 Month, which also known as Zhong Yuan Jie & the Manifestation Anniversary or Inspection Day of Di Guan Da Di (中元地官大帝下降日) aka The Heavenly Lord of the Earthly Realm.

On this Day, Taoist Priests would be engaged to perform the Salvation Rituals for the Passed-on, in-order to assist them to ascend to the Eastern Palace to enjoy the Eternal Joyous and also, to assist a Good Cultivated Person to attain Enlightenment. Besides that, also to show the Filial Piety of oneself or the descendants of assisting the Passed-on Ancestors or Parents to get out of any form of Sufferings after their Mortal-Departure (Please take note that, in Zhou Dynasty, there have yet to have the Nether-World Theory and so, Salvation for the Passed-on is usually mend for assisting the Passed-on to reach Enlightenment faster, etc).

Another saying is that, Zhou Dynasty Zhong Yuan Salvation Rituals were conducted dedicating to those who died in Wars, Accidents, Accused-to-Death, Died-of-Diseases, Homeless-souls, etc. A Month or Festive Period to show Gratitude to this group of Passed-on or to show Compassionate & Kindness to the Poverty.

From the above two Practices, you shall be able to know a little more that, Seventh Month is not solely associated with Ghosts, Spirits or Souls.

So when does the idea of Ghostly Month started?

This actually started after the Non-Taoist Religions being imported into China in Tang Dynasty (鬼月之說始于唐朝年間).

After such Beliefs being imported, the Theory of Suffering-Nether World started to spread around in the Folks Community, causes un-necessary fear and disturbance. From then, in-order to calm the commotion and starting of the promotion of the Imported-Religion, doing Salvation of the Spirits & Souls started.

By that moment, the whole Religion System in China was in a Chaotic-situation, including the stress that the Imperial Court pressing on the various Religion Leaders, a lot of Non-realistic Teaching, Preaching, Knowledge and Information were being created and imparted to the Innocent Commoners and various Religion-followers.

This is why, in Tang Dynasty, a lot of Folks Taoist Group tend to combine the Teaching of the Three Religions together to please the Imperial Court and also to gain the support from the Commoners in-order to strengthen their Base & Power.

So the Seventh Month Celebration that we see today is not the Origin Taoist Practice?

Yes, in certain way, the Celebration that we see together had drift very far apart from the Origin Practice.

Recent years, due to commercialization of Religions, a lot of Religion Leaders, Spiritual Masters or Teachers tend to use such Festival to make Big-earnings, such as burning Tons of Josspapers, making expensive Offerings to the Invisible Beings, etc.

So by doing so, we are not assisting the necessary Nether Beings to gain their Benefits but assisting the Nasty-Human-beings to gain their extra-incomes.

So if we will to do follow the Origin Taoist Practice, what shall one self do?

Very easy, just do the followings on the 15th Day or Lunar 7 Month and one self will be Blessed:

1) prepare the necessary Offerings for the Passed-on Ancestors or Family members

2) visit Temples that dedicated Altars to Di Guan Da Di to make your respect to him and asked for Forgiveness and Blessing for the Passed-on

3) prepare some necessary Offerings to offer to the Wandering Souls outside your premises, here a list of items to be prepared:

a) Incenses (Red-Incense Leg) & Candles (香與燭)
b) Josspapers (including the Clothing, Colored-papers 紙錢及經衣)
c) 1 set of Fruit or 3 sets of Fruits (一色或三色水果)
d) 3 cups of Tea (do not use Tea-leaves only 三杯茶﹐不可單用茶葉)
e) 3 cups or 1 bottle of Rice-wine (三杯或一瓶米酒)
f) 1 bowl of Peanuts (一碗花生)
g) 1 bowl of Biscuits (一碗餅乾)
h) 1 bowl of Raw-rice (一碗生白米-取地之氣)
i) 1 bowl of Eating-salt (一碗食鹽-取水之氣)
j) 1 bowl of Cane-sugar (一碗蔗糖-取天之氣)
k) 1 Huat Kueh (一個發糕)

Once all these are being done, one self is more or less following the Origin Practice that what our Ancestors are doing.

Take Note:

1) During the offering, do not make any un-necessary request.

2) Try to minimize large scale burning during this Day

3) Among all the Offerings for the Wanderings, Salt, Rice & Sugar are the most important. They represent the Nature Energies emitted from the Heavenly, Earthly and Watery Realms. Once a Soul is able to get the necessary blessing from these 3 Realms, the Soul will be able to reach a certain level of Enlightenment.

Picture of Yuan Tong Zi Zai Tian Zun (大聖尋聲救苦圓通自在天尊)

Upon request, here is a simple drawing of Yuan Tong Zi Zai Tian Zun.

According to some Taoist Contexts, Yuan Tong Zi Zai Tian Zun appeared in Male-Physical Form whereas in the Scripture that I had posted describe Yuan Tong Tian Zun as Female-Physical Form.

Scripture of Yuan Tong Zi Zai Tian Zun (圓通天尊慈航元君本行妙經)

In the following is a very Rare Scripture that being recorded dedicating to Yuan Tong Zi Zai Tian Zun. According to some of the contexts and records, this Scripture was found far before Tang Dynasty.

For Taoism, even though we do not have a Deity known as Guan Shi Yin, but from this Scripture, you are able to see that, the term Guan Shi Yin is a form of action rather than an Official Title of any Deity.

If you are interested in doing chanting of this Scripture, please do treasure it, cos this is indeed a piece of Rare & Precious Scriptures.

PS: For those who dont know how to do proper chanting on this Scripture, can PM or email me at javecxwu@gmail.com

起讚
香山道姥。度世婆心。圓通法力妙難尋。慧照悉聞音。

甘露清冷。火宅變瓊林。大聖尋聲救苦圓通自在天尊。

 

圓通自在天尊慈航元君寶誥
至心皈命禮。
莊王毓秀。受帝命而誕生。教闡南洋。奉敕旨而救劫。

尋聲感應。動念垂慈。　聖德昭彰。玄功莫測。

幽顯昭蘇而蒙恩濟度。品物鹹賴而荷惠生成。外道仰依。　

邪魔皈正。大悲大願。大聖大慈。尋聲救苦。救難隨心。

消厄消災。　

碧落洞天帝主圓通自在天尊。

 

【太上洞玄靈寶圓通天尊慈航元君本行妙經】

 

爾時。

太上道君。於大羅境中。玉京山上。與大眾說法論經。

 

是時。

天降寶花。七色燦爛。

道君身放萬丈光明。光照十方萬千世界。妙音迴繞於空。

久久不得散盡。

 

時班中越出一真人。上白

道君。曰。

臣於不久之前。下行於夫世。見有一修道之女。面容慈悲。

身騎金毛雄獅。遊行四方。聞苦救濟。遇旱灑霖。無處不顯。

不知此女何來。與道何緣。

 

道君。微微頓首而曰。禪黎世界之中。妙莊國土之內。

王號妙莊。莊王有女。諱字姓音。乃是通明殿中。玉駕前聖。

奉令下生中土。生時有口不言。默默而過。年歲四春。

莊王怒之。生汝何用。乃弃姓音于南浮桑。阿空山中。

時經日長月久。雲過雨休。姓音無糧。常日咽氣。引月服精。

自然充飽。忽與神人。會于阿空山頂。丹陵之舍。柏林之下。

姓音勇伸右手。手題赤石之上。神人語姓音。汝雖不能言。

可憶此文矣。

姓音觀視手下赤石。靈光頓悟。徐徐頓首。

神人觀畢。指點天空。遣朱宮靈童。靈童下降。

勤傳姓音醫治之術。授其采書入字之音。姓音得之真傳。

于是口開能言。叩首百拜神人。便欲山出阿空。

神人叫住。示姓音隨至跟前。姓音會意。尊進神人之旁。

神人言曰。汝非等閑之輩。乃是通明之臣。昔受。

天帝敕令而下降夫塵。轉換坤身。以便方方闡教。處處度靈。

今授吾之妙法。雖非上頂密功。卻乃濟世之能。

再授汝白玉淨瓶一樽。樽中若現楊柳一枝。

便是夫世受災之時。汝須觀其音向。聞其音禱。隨其音聲。

尋至救世。待此瓶楊柳不開。便是世人度盡。

亦是汝回返通明之日。汝須謹記。

姓音尊領法示。百拜而退。

 

時妙莊國內。受之枯旱之厄。天降赤光。地土生火。人民焦燎。殃者萬半。穿地取水而百丈無泉。搗山覓源而千里皆乾。

莊王巨懼。向天仰嘯。

 

是時。

天開雲路。顯一女真。女真手持淨瓶。淨瓶中之楊柳。

突發豪光萬丈。昇空再而下降。來至火焰之上。點而三點。

灑至三灑。時天降洪水。高至數丈。遇火即熄。遇焰便滅。

頓時一片清涼。炎氣全消。千里皆得救濟。萬靈得以解脫。

莊王欣慰。向天叩拜。乃見女真原為姓音。一時心有所感。

頭叩不住。聲聲呼喚。姓音微微頓首。化形隱景而去。

 

有偈是曰。

姓音還是天宮臣。號乃圓通慈航真。

下降暫為莊王女。修真得道阿空行。

發願度盡世間苦。願誓灑遍甘露霖。

世人稱念圓通尊。尋聲救苦到跟前。

道君宣經是畢。眾真長跪。敬領示教。同聲讚詠。

十方仙聖神真恭禮。各復元所。普願人天。敬信奉行。

 

【太上洞玄靈寶圓通天尊慈航元君本行妙經】終

收經偈

慈哉正法明。如慧日當空。萬天鹹普照。億類荷生成。一滴真甘露。　
天然九轉功。廣演大圓通。救劫尋苦聲。香馥三千界。妙蓮華下風。
大聖尋聲救苦圓通自在天尊。

 

收經讚

誦經功德。不可思議。諸天諸地轉靈機。國運壽天齊。

大道慈悲。萬化樂雍熙。

 

Guan Gong Anniversary on 24th Day of Lunar 6 Month (關聖帝君聖誕慶典)

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Other

On Saturday (26 July 2008) early Morning, I was being engaged to perform a Birthday Respect Ritual for Guan Sheng Di Jun (關聖帝君) at one of the Taoists’ Home located at Yishun.

On that very morning, I arrived quite early at the premises to assist in the setting up of the Altars and Offerings (even though we did set up everything at the night before).

At about 10.30am, the Ritual started. First by doing simple report and then followed by making Invitation to the Various Deities.

Just at the moment of the Invitation finished, a gust of Strong & Positive Energy hit me. This is quite a good sign to show that the Deities that being invited were there after the Petition being burnt.

After the Invitation was done, we proceed into the premises where the Main Altar was situated and started the normal Scripture Chanting. During the 1st round of Scripture Chanting, nothing much was being Shown or Appear, but during the Invitation of the Deities for the Filling of Coffer Ritual (補庫補運科儀 the Taoist requested for this Ritual to be done on this Auspicious Day and so I accepted the request) many different signs appeared, such as different forms of Deities started to chit-chat or making certain noises to make Hello signal to us (me and my student).

Even though such signals were seen and heard, the whole Ritual was not being disturbed and I can said that, the whole thing went smoothly till the end of the whole event.

At about 1.30pm, after the approval being granted by Guan Gong, sending off of the Deities was taken place and soon, everything were being moved to the burning area near to Yishun Polyclinic to do the send off.

After the sending off, the whole Ritual was considered Official Ended and of cos, some of the people who attended the Ritual were being blessed with little Good Luck on the Night.

Last of All, our highest Respect to Guan Gong.

Banner of Kai Zhang Sheng Wang Bao Gao (開漳聖王寶誥)

Kai Zhang Sheng Wang aka Duke Chen Yuan Guang, the Ancestor of the Tan Clan.

Till today, on his Birthday, the Tan Clan will still hold Big Celebration to honour him for providing the necessary Blessing.

For this Bao Gao, it is quite rare to see our Local Taoist Priests recite it as most of them do not have this Bao Gao.

For more info, pls proceed to:
http://javewu.multiply.com/photos/album/169

Manifestation Anniversary (Birthday) of Duke Guan Yu (關聖帝君聖誕)

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Other

Duke Guan Yu aka Guan Gong in Folks Context, a Real Historical Character during the Three Kingdom Period. Till today, a lot of Non-Taoist Religions are fighting for the “ownership” of Guan Gong, which make it ridiculous and complicated. Even though this is so, Guan Gong will still provide the necessary Blessing for All Taoists.

Due to a lot of mis-concept and mis-interpretation, a lot of Folks Culture and other Non-Taoist Religions tend to celebrate Guan Gong’s Birthday on the 13th Day of Lunar 5 Month, which is not accurate or Unrealistic.

According to History Records from various Contexts, Guan Gong’s Birthday was being recorded as 24th Day of Lunar 6 Month, which in Year 2008, it falls on 26 July, a Saturday.

In Singapore, almost All Temples that you can find will have statues dedicated to Guan Gong. And so, if you are able to make it on this coming Saturday to make your Respect to Guan Gong, please do so to visit any Temples that are located near your home.

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)
10 Flowers or Lotus (鮮花或蓮花)

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

1st, pay respect to the Heaven & the Main Deities in the Temple and then last, proceed to the Altar that honoured Guan Gong.

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 Guan Gong):

今逢。
Jin Feng.

關聖帝君。(拜)
Guan Sheng Di Jun (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.

關聖帝君。(拜)
Guan Sheng Di Jun (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.

關聖帝君。(拜)
Guan Sheng Di Jun (Bow)

關公義氣貫天下。聖德永留人間傳。
Guan Gong Yi Qi Guan Tian Xia. Sheng De Yong Liu Ren Jian Chuan

帝誕案前獻敬意。君佑世人富貴繁。
Di Dan An Qian Xian Jing Yi. Jun You Shi Ren Fu Gui Fan

以佑。
Yi You.

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

一年平安常在。月月福佑不怠。
Yi Nian Ping An Chang Zai. Yue Yue Fu You Bu Dai.

四季神光普照。萬事遂心安在。
Si Ji Shen Guang Pu Zhao. Wan Shi Sui Xin An Zai.

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.

關聖帝君。(拜)
Guan Sheng Di Jun (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 Guan Gong is considered end.

Yuan Tong Tian Zun Anniversary on 19th Day of Lunar 6 Month (圓通自在天尊聖誕慶典)

These are the pictures taken on last Sunday (20 July 2008) at one of the Taoists' Home whom he engaged me to perform the Small Scale Ritual for the Yuan Tong Tian Zun at his home.

As you can see in the pictures, he also invited some other Deities from other places to join in the Celebration and so, a different Temp-Altar had to set-up and the necessary procedure of ushering in the Deities is needed.

More pics, pls proceed to: http://sihai.multiply.com/photos/album/20/gy

Chinese Explanation: Here it Goes

Banner of Zhang Gong Sheng Jun Bao Gao (張公聖君寶誥)

This is a Mantra dedicated to Zhang Gong Sheng Jun aka Fa Zhu Gong, one of the Main Deities in Lv Shan Sect (閭山派).

During the Rituals that are dedicated to Zhang Gong Sheng Jun, this Mantra will be recited to evoke the Energy from him or to invite him to the area of the Celebration.

Performing Rituals and some Enquiries (慶典與疑問)

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Other

These few days, was busily preparing & conducting Rituals, so didn’t really make postings, hope that those who my regular Supporters, please do forgive me.

Last Sunday, which was the 18th Day of Lunar 6 Month, I was being engaged to perform a Ritual for one of the Members of one Sintua. The Ritual was being conducted dedicated to Guan Yin aka Goddess of Mercy in Buddhism Context (觀世音菩薩) and Heavenly Lord Yuan Tong Zi Zai (圓通自在天尊) in Taoism Context (of cos, a lot of the Buddhist might not be able to accept this).

And before I conducted such Ritual, actually someone did approach me and asked me this Question, is Guan Yin a Taoist or a Buddhist. And of cos, immediately I would answer the person with a reply of Buddhist.

And the person gave me a puzzled look, which Buddhist needed a Taoist Ritual? And my reply is, the one I invited is not Guan Yin? The person looked more puzzled and asked, then who you invited? I replied, Heavenly Lord Yuan Tong Zi Zai. And then the person seems to have a sudden Wisdom-open and replied, Oh I see and happily walked off.

To me, maybe the person had a sudden Wisdom-open or to the person, he had learnt something new on the Day. To both of us, we did learnt and gained something precious and meaning – able to clarify and share whatever we need to know and what we know.

Next Saturday, I will be conducting a Birthday Respect Ritual for Guan Gong (關公), hope that Guan Gong will give the necessary to the people and also, All Taoists over the World.

Wu Liang Guan 無量關
Wu Liang Shou 無量壽

Introduction on Wu Lei Shen Zhou aka Wu Lei Spiritual Mantra (五雷神咒)

Wu Lei Shen Zhou, translated as the Mantra of the Five Thunder. In Taoism Context, it is also known as Lei Zu Shen Zhou (雷祖神咒), meaning that this Spiritual Mantra is actually a Mantra that is closely associate with Heavenly Lord Pu Hua (雷聲普化天尊).

In Spiritually-wise, this is a Mantra to call-upon the Positive Energy of Heavenly Lord Pu Hua in-order for him to emit out the Energy to be bestowed onto any Beings while the Beings are in Trouble or facing any form of Life-threatening issues.

Alot of the Folks thought that this is a Mantra to call upon the Various Thunder Deities or Generals, I cant said that this is wrong but just not that accurate. Once Heavenly Lord Pu Hua is being evoked, he will somehow sent his subodinates or assistants to look into the issues and not necessary to be the Five Types of Thunder Deities that the Folks used to know of.

So when can one self use this Mantra?

When one self faces some Strange & Negative Encounters or when one self is not feeling well after visiting places that are related to Negative Entities, such as Funeral, Cemetaries or any Nether World Deities' Temples, etc.

How to go about with the Reciting?

When one self needed to do the reciting, one self just needed to do it according to the following:

1 Wash one self up and drink a cup of Luke-warm Water

2 Light 3 Incenses

3 Walk to any Open-space that you can see the Heaven, at home will be facing the Window

4 Simply make a Sincere & Respectful Bow to the Heaven

5 Make a simple Report to the Heaven by saying your name, your address and the problem that you want to solve

6 Start reciting the Mantra

7 After finishing, simply make a Bow and leaven the Spot

Here goes the Mantra:

無上玉清王。統天三十六。

Wu Shang Yu Qing Wang. Tong Tian San Shi Liu

九天普化中。化形十方界。

Jiu Tian Pu Hua Zhong. Hua Xing Shi Fang Jie

披髮騎麒麟。赤腳躡層冰。

Pi Fa Qi Qi Ling. Chi Jiao Nie Ceng Bing

手把九天氣。嘯風鞭雷霆。

Shou Ba Jiu Tian Qi. Xiao Feng Bian Lei Ting

能以智慧力。攝伏諸魔精。

Neng Yi Zhi Hui Li. She Fu Zhu Mo Jing

濟度長夜魂。利益於眾生。

Qi Du Chang Ye Hun. Li Yi Yu Zhong Sheng

如彼銀河水。千眼千月輪。

Ru Pi Yin He Shui. Qian Yan Qian Yue Lun

誓於未來世。永颺天尊教。

Shi Yu Wei Lai Shi . Yong Yang Tian Zun Jiao

Manifestation Anniversary (Birthday) of Heavenly Marshal Wang Ling Guan (轄落王靈官聖誕)

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Other

Wang Ling Guan aka Heavenly Marshal Wang Tian Jun, one of the Many Taoist Protectors in the Taoist Context.

For Taoist Priests, Spiritual Masters and Taoists, on every Feast Day, the Mantra of Wang Ling Guan will be recited in-order to seek his Blessing & Protectation.

So usually where can one self find the Statue of Wang Ling Guan?
In Temples that dedicate to San Qing aka The Three Pure One or Jade Emperor of Heaven, a statue of Wang Ling Guan will be placed infront of the Main Altar or at the Entrance of the Temple.

Back to main point, on the 15th Day of Lunar 6 Month (農曆六月十五日), it is considered as the Manifestation Anniversary or so-called Birthday of Wang Ling Guan (for Year 2008, it falls on 17 July).

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)
10 Flowers or Lotus (鮮花或蓮花)

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

1st, pay respect to the Heaven & the Main Deities in the Temple and then last, proceed to the Altar that honoured Wang Ling Guan.

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 Wang Ling Guan):

今逢。
Jin Feng.

轄落王靈官。(拜)
Xia Luo Wang Ling Guan (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.

轄落王靈官。(拜)
Xia Luo Wang Ling Guan (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.

轄落王靈官。(拜)
Xia Luo Wang Ling Guan (Bow)

轄管一方百姓福。落佑保民在人間。
Xia Guan Yi Fang Bai Xing Fu. Luo You Bao Min Zai Ren Jian

靈光常照仁義人。官封名定萬吉牽。
Ling Guang Chang Zhao Ren Yi Ren. Guan Feng Ming Ding Wan Ji Qian

以佑。
Yi You.

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

一年平安常在。月月福佑不怠。
Yi Nian Ping An Chang Zai. Yue Yue Fu You Bu Dai.

四季神光普照。萬事遂心安在。
Si Ji Shen Guang Pu Zhao. Wan Shi Sui Xin An Zai.

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.

轄落王靈官。(拜)
Xia Luo Wang Ling Guan (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 Wang Ling Guan is considered end.

The Logo of Taoism - the Representative Colors of Taoism (道教教徽)

In the following is a Picture of the Logo of Taoism aka the Representative Colors of Taoism.

In Taoism, we will use the Basic 3 Colors to represent our Belief, Faith & also the Initiation of where we are from. The 3 Colors are:

1 Green (some said Blue)
2 Red
3 Yellow

With these 3 Colors, Taoists believed that the Whole Universe is being formed out from them.

And this is why, in some Paintings of San Qing (or Statues), you can see that San Qing are wearing the Robes of these 3 Colors.

Cultivation Spot of Heavenly Master Zhang Dao Ling (張祖天師打坐修道處)

In the following is a picture taken at He Ming Mountain (鶴鳴山), which is a spot believed to be the Cultivation (Meditation) Spot of Heavenly Master Zhang Dao Ling.

Enlightenment Spot of Heavenly Master Zhang Dao Ling (張祖天師昇天處)

In the following is the Picture of a spot in He Ming Mountian in Si Chuan Province (四川省鶴鳴山), where our Heavenly Master Zhang Dao Ling got his Enlightenment.

According to record, Heavenly Master Zhang Dao Ling jumped down from the Cliff (where you can see in the picture) and after his jumping, you got his Enlightenment.

Together with Heavenly Master Zhang Dao Ling, his other 2 Disciples also jumped down the Cliff on that day.

Paintings of the Story of Xuan Tian Shang Di (玄天上帝化生全記錄)

In the following are very Rare Paintings on the Story of Xuan Tian Shang Di.

The story started from how Xuan Tian Shang Di got born, going thru his Cultivation, issues that he faced, getting his Enlightenment and last, Xuan Wu Holy Premises located at Mt Wu Dang.

A very nice and rare painting, worth sharing and distribute around for Xuan Tian Shang Di's followers.

Mid-Lunar-Year Celebration (半年節)

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Other

In Chinese Custom, on the 15th Day of Lunar 6 Month is known as Half Year Celebration, in Chinese known as Ban Nian Jie, in Hokkien, we called Phua Nee Zhuay (半年節).

On this Day, the Taoist or Chinese will prepare Rice-dumpling, in Chinese known as TangYuan (湯圓), in Hokkien Ee, to celebrate the Joyous Occasion.

In the Ancient Era, on this Day, All the Working Adults such as Officers, Farmers, Guards, etc, were entitled to One Day off to return back home to enjoy a Feast with the other Family Members and also, to pay respect to Deities and Ancestors, thanking them for providing the necessary Blessing for the past Six months.

On this Day, usually the Ladies will wake up early in the morning to prepare the Glutinous Rice Flour for the making of the Tang Yuan. Once the Tang Yuan is ready and being cooked, the Leader of the Family will first offered 1 Bowl to the Heaven, 1 Bowl to the Earth (placing on the ground outside the House), 1 Bowl to the Water (usually near Water-stream or Well), 1 Bowl to the Top Beam of the House and then few Bowls on the Main Altar for the Deities and Ancestors.

Only after the offering being made, then the other members in the Family will then enjoyed the Tang Yuan by sitting around (just like celebrating Winter Solstice).

In the Noon period, the whole Family will visit Temples to make their Respect to the Deities and also to request for Blessing from the Deities for the next half a year.

At night, the Taoist or Chinese will prepared some simple Feast for the whole Family to gather around.

After this Day, Life will return back to Normal.

For Modern Society today, people tend to ignore this Day as it doesnt mark any important significant. And due to the Myth of Summer-snow (六月雪或稱竇娥冤), the Elderly will tend to avoid eating the Tang Yuan as it represent mis-fortune and unlucky.

Now, only a minority number of Taoist or Chinese will celebrate this Occasion by paying respect to Ancestors.

正一龍山門孝華君(新加坡龍山道壇)部落格

http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/jw!9fh1k9aYHx.FfTEzGpzcXFA-

This is a newly created Chinese Blog Website for Long Shan Taoist Group.

Feel free to go in and have a look.

Link at: http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/longshanmen-longshanmen

Video on Xuan Tian Shang Di 2 (玄天上帝短片二)

This is another Video Clip made dedicated to Xuan Tian Shang Di.

The song is composed in-order to Praise on Xuan Tian Shang Di on his Credits, Merits and his Wills in assisting the Three Realms and also the Living Beings.

Opening of Heavenly Gate aka Tian Men Kai (天門開又稱天貺日)

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Other

In Taoist Culture, every year during the Lunar 6 Month, the Taoist or Chinese will celebrate 1 very important Festival on the 6th Day of Lunar 6 Month (2008 falls on 8 July).

This Day is known as Opening of Heavenly Gate, Tian Men Kai (天門開) or Tian Kuang Ri (天貺日).

In Singapore, due to the mis-interpretation and mis-teaching, the Opening of Heavenly Gate will usually be celebrated on the 7th Day of Lunar 6 Month, but to be more accurate or exact, it shall be on the 6th Day of Lunar 6 Month.

According to Chinese History, the Celebration of Tian Kuang Ri aka Tian Men Kai was only being fixed after Song Dynasty (this is a Day that being Bestowed by Song Emperor Zhen Zong 宋真宗祥符四年 on AD 1011, before AD 1011, Tian Men Kai is usually being celebrated between the 1st Day & 15th Day of Lunar 6 Month).

So does Really the Heavenly Gate opened on this Day?

This is just a Myth that the folks believed in, to be more exact, Heavenly Gate does not have the process of Opening or Closing.

So what is the actual meaning of this Tian Kuang Ri aka Tian Men Kai?

According to records and the Objective that being fixed by the Song Empire, actually Tian Kuang Ri is a Day for the Taoists to pay respect to the Heaven and other Deities and also, for Jade Emperor of Heaven (玉皇大天尊) to send his Officials to the Mortal Realm to distribute out the necessary Blessing to the Living Beings according to their Credits and Merits accumulated thru-out the past 6 Months (another Day of such Events will be on the 25th Day of Lunar 12 Month).

Due to this Tian Kuang Ri belief, this is why in our Taoist or Chinese Society, in the Spiritual Theory, we have a Theory of Luck will only changed after every 6 Lunar Months.

Tian Kuang Ri has another meaning of, Heaven gives out the Necessary Gifts/Rewards to the Necessary groups of Beings, such as Sick, Poor, Cultivated People or “Badies (its time for them to Receive the Rewards of what they have Accumulated)”.

So how will the Taoists or Chinese Celebrates this Day?

For Taoists, we will visit Temples to pay Respect to Heaven & Jade Emperor of Heaven and then, do certain Chanting or Reciting of Scriptures or Mantras.

For Chinese, they will visit Temples to do requesting of Lucks and also, to do reprimanding of one self Debts, Sins and Evil-doing, once the Reprimanding is done, then they will do another round of Luck-requesting.

For those whose Requests being fulfilled within the 6 Months, they will need to return to the Temple to show their Gratitude to the Heaven or Deities before 25th Day of Lunar 12 Month.

For the Folks, on this Day, they will bring out their Clothing, Paintings, Books or some Valuable-stuffs to do Sun-bathing. Why they do so? Folks believed that by doing the Sun-bathing, the Objects will be blessed by Heaven and all these Objects will be able to last longer.

In the Early Days (in Singapore), Old people who had bought their Shou Yi (壽衣 the Apparel for their Funeral) to keep, on this Day, they would bring out one piece (out of the 7 Layers) to do Sun-bathing. Why they do so? The Old people believed that by doing so, their Age-span would be prolonged by 1-3 years. If they didn’t do that, meaning that on that year, it might be their Last Year staying in this Mortal Realm.

So how can one self Celebrates this Day in this Modern Society?

Its very simple, just get some simple Offerings (as followed) to any Temple. Sincerely pay your respect and I’m sure your Request will be heard by the Heaven.

Here the offerings go:

1 A set of 3 Long Incenses
2 A pair of Red Candles
3 A set of Fruits (5 Quantity)
4 A set of Loose Flowers
5 A/3 set(s) of Tian Gong Jin (Big Josspaper)
6 A/3 set(s) of Shou Jin (Normal Josspaper)

Upon reaching the Temple, place All the offerings on the Main Altar or at the Jade Emperors Altar, then proceed to the Whole Temple to pay respect to the Other Deities and then return to the Altar where you placed the Offerings, sincerely make a Bow and then Kneel down on the Kneeling-pad and start your Requesting:

1) Start with the Offering of Incense Mantra:

祝香神咒 (Incenses Offering Mantra)
道由心學。心假香傳。
Dao You Xin Xue, Xin Jia Xiang Chuan

香爇玉爐。心存帝前。
Xiang Re Yu Lu, Xin Cun Di Qian

真靈下盼。仙旆臨軒。
Zhen Ling Xia Pan, Xian Pei Lin Xuan

令民關告。逕達九天.。
Ling Min Guan Gao, Jing Da Jiu Tian

2) Report your name and where you stayed
3) Report what is the event Today
4) Report what is your Request (remember to request for those that is possible to fulfill)
5) Once the report is done, sincerely make 3 Bows and then stand-up and place your Incenses into the Urn
6) Make a Bow and leave the Spot
7) After 10 – 15 Minutes, retrieve the Josspapers and proceed to do the Sending-off
8) Once the Burning is done, retrieve the Offerings and then leave the Temple

Remember, once the Request is being fulfilled within the 6 Months, please return to the Temple again to show your Gratitude.

PS: This year, Wan Shou Shan Tian Gong Miao located at Telok Blangah Height, besides Blk 45 & 46, will be conducting a Ceremony of Enhancing the Newly Renovated Temple Gate on the 7th Day of Lunar 6 Month (9 July 2008).

For those who are interested in observing this Event, please do proceed to the Temple in the Morning.

Deities Birthday & Celebration of Wu Zi Year Lunar 6 Month (戊子年六月神誕及慶典)

According to Chinese Deity Systems Record, here are the Birthday of the various Taoist Deities, Patrons, Sages & Immortals in the Lunar Sixth Month.

六月初六日虎爺公誕辰
6th Day of Lunar 6 Month: Tiger Deity aka Tiger General

六月初六日天貺日又稱天門開
6th Day of Lunar 6 Month: Opening of Heavenly Gate

六月十一日田都元帥聖誕
11th Day of Lunar 6 Month: Marshal Tian Du aka Deity of Opera

六月十五日王靈天君聖誕
15th Day of Lunar 6 Month: Heavenly Marshal Wang Ling Guan

六月廿四日關聖帝君聖誕
24th Day of Lunar 6 Month: Lord Guan Yu

六月廿四日西秦王爺聖誕
24th Day of Lunar 6 Month: Duke Xi Qin aka Deity of Opera

六月廿四日雷祖普化天尊千秋
24th Day of Lunar 6 Month: Heavenly Lord Pu Hua

Cleansing of one's home with Chinese Medical Herbs (正氣長存于宅中)

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Other

Alot of the people had been approaching me for one same enquiry, How to do a proper, effective and easy Cleansing for one's home (may it be a totally new one, etc).

And of cos, my task to share with them and in here, all of you.

To get the best and the most appropriate way of doing cleansing (this is the way that being practice by the Official Priests and Chinese Physicians for Centuries), one self can prepare the following stuff:

1 get a New Urn (not necessary to be very big, maybe a diameter of 8 Inches)

2 go to a Chinese Medical Hall to get the following Chinese Herbs:

2a) 藿香 (Huo Xiang, English term: Agastachis Herba)

2b) 甘草（Gan Cao, English term: Liquorice)

 
3 go to Joss-shop to get some Incense-powder (used during Ritual/Ceremony)

After getting all the stuffs, choose a Good Morning (without Raining, Storm or No-sunshine Day), best that everyone is at home.

Bring out the Urn, wash it with Water, dry it and them, pour some of the Incense-powder into the Urn to make a layer of Base.

Then, spread out the Huo Xiang and Gan Cao over the Powder-base, after spreading the Herbs out, pour another layer of Powder onto the Herbs, repeat the procedure for at least 3 times (meaning 3 Layers) and then, light a stick of incense and throw it into the Urn (allow the Incense to slowly lit the Powder up).

Once the fume of the Burning started to get thicker, walk around the whole Premises, allow the Fume (smoke) to reach every corner of the Premises.

After the whole Premises is being Cleansed, place the Urn in the Center of the whole Premises, in-order to allow the Fume to continue doing the necessary Cleansing. During this period, everyone in the Premises can take turn to start in front of the Urn to allow the Fume to flow thru the Whole Physical Body, by doing so, it will attain a form of Physical, Mind & Soul Cleansing.

Once the whole Cleansing Process is done, make sure the Burning stopped in the Urn and then keep the Urn in a safe and dry place. Do not throw the Urn away, cos the Urn may be used for next Cleansing Process.

Okay, till here, some of you might have some enquiries on whether will the Fume do harm to one self, my reply is an absolute NO. According to Chinese Medical Theory, Huo Xiang is a Chinese Herb that used to do Killing of Germs in the Ancient Era whenever there is a Virsus-attack disaster and according to the Modern Scienticfic Examination, Huo Xiang is able to kill at least 80% of the Normal Virsus that can be found in our Surrounding. And for Gan Cao, it is a form of Chinese Herb that act as Catalyst in many Mixture Processing and so, by adding these 2 Chinese Herbs together for the Cleansing Process, it will somehow reached a Higher Percentage of Cleansing Objective.

In Spiritual Theory, Huo Xiang is treated as a form of Spiritual Weapon that give out Brightness and Strength to overcome any form of Negative Entities or Energies, by calling upon the Energy that being given out by Gan Cao (in Chinese Term known as Deity of Medicine), the surrounding stubborn Energies will be ward-off and so, a Spiritual Cleansing will take effect in a very short moment.

And so, when can such Cleansing be done?

For those who are okay with the Fuming, such Cleansing can be done in Weekly basis, if not, Monthly basis.

Best timing to do such Cleansing will be,

1 when there is sick member who stay at home
2 49/100 Days after Funeral (when the Tablet being transfered onto the Main Altar)
3 before moving into a New House
4 after Major Renovation
5 Moving into a New Temple
6 while Priest performing the Dotting Ritual for new statues

In Taoist Context, such Cleansing is known as Zheng Qi Chang Cun, Yin Yang Shun Diao (正氣長存。陰陽順調), meaning The Upright will retain and the Yin Yang will Balance.

Ready packaging for sale > please see intro at http://javewutaoismplace.blogspot.sg/2010/07/cleansing-chinese-herbs-in-ready-made.html

Pictures of He Ming Shan aka White Crane Mountain (天師鶴鳴山一覽)

Special Thanks to my London Classmate Mr Matt who shared All these pics that taken during his Trip to He Ming Shan last week.

He Ming Shan, a cultivation and enlightenment Holy Premises of Heavenly Master Zhang Dao Ling. According to History, this is the 1st Mountain that Heavenly Master chosen before his descendants shifted to Long Hu Shan to do their cultivation.

As you can see in the 1st picture, it is an Altar dedicated to Heavenly Master and the rest of the pictures are the various Talismans that we, the Zheng Yi disciples will used or engaged into in different events.

Talisman of Spiritual Tortise & Snake for Home (鎮宅龜蛇圖)

In the following is a very rare Talisman or Painting of the Spiritual Tortise & Snake.

According to record, this Talisman or Painting was being drawn by Wu Dao Zi of Tang Dynasty (and this is why, in the Picture, you can see the Taoist Title of Wu Dao Zi being included).

So what is the main Purpose of this Talisman or Painting?

This Talisman or Painting is being invited in-order to give the necessary blessing for the Home or Building by calling upon the Heavenly Snake aka Watery Snake & Earthly Tortise aka Firey Tortise to do protection.

Besides that, if you will to see closely into the Tortise Shell, you can even see a few Traditional Taoist Talisman Writing on it, each of them got a different meaning and usage.