Tong Shan Tang 7th Month Salvation Ritual 2012 (新加坡童善堂壬辰年中元普渡暨施藥科儀)

Upon receiving the news on the 1st Day of Lunar 7th Month that Tong Shan Tang will be conducting a 7th Month Salvation Ritual (中元普渡) & Distribution of Spiritual Medicine for Healing Ceremony (施藥科儀) on the 2nd Day of Lunar 7th Month (農曆七月初二日), Jave had only got a day’s time to do the necessary preparation. Maybe this is a form of testing for Jave and LSM, and at the end, we made it thru.

On the 2nd Day, we arrived at Tong Shan Tang at about 6.30Pm to do the final preparation before we start the Ritual.

At about 7.15Pm, Jave had initial the Ritual by making a Report to the Three Realms (上奏三界), followed by Cleansing the Surrounding (清壇請聖) for the ushering in of the High Ranking Deities and also, the various Medical Deities from the Heavenly Physician Department known as Tian Yi Fu (天醫府).

Upon completion of the Cleansing & Ushering, the Enhancing of the 12 types of Chinese Herbs was being conducted and also, the starting of the Brewing of the Medicine. While Jave was conducting the Brewing of Medicine, the Medium of General Xie Bi An (謝必安將軍) arrived to do the necessary inspection of the surrounding, preventing any misconduct or disorder that had created by the “Wandering Souls”.

For the distribution of the Spiritual Medicines, various procedure was involved, such as Cleansing of the Brewing Pot, Enhancing of the Bowl & Spoon into “Spiritually”, Issuing of Talismans into the Brew Pot, Enhancing of the various types of Medicines and last, brew the Medicines individually upon getting the approval of the Deities.

While the brewing was on-going, devotees that were found ill or had just gone thru operation were requested to fan the fire on behalf of “Celestial Officers”. This purpose is to allow those ill-devotees to be “cured” by the Heavenly Physicians and also, get the blessing from the sniffing in of the various brewing herbs.

Once the brewing of the Medicine was done, it’s the time for Tong Shan Tang & Jave to go round the neighbourhood to summon the “hidden” Wandering Souls to the Ritual ground for Salvation & enjoying of the feast.

With the leading of General Xie & Jave, we went round Lengkok Bahru one round for the summoning of Souls. Once we arrived back at the Ritual ground, it was the time for Jave to conduct the Distribution of Food Ceremony and also the Salvation Ritual.

Overall, it took about an hour to complete the Ceremony and upon completion, we seek the “approval” of the Souls in order to send them off and with a “Smiling” & “Agreed” signal, we proceed with the Sending off.

With a short procession thru Lengkok Bahru, we arrived at the Burning Area and after a quick Reporting & Chanting, Jave broke the Bowl & Spoon that used for the Distribution of the Spiritual Medicine, this was to prove that ALL Souls that arrived for the Healing were all “Cured”. After then, the burning took place.

General Xie was there to supervise on the “Collection Order” and Jave was there to seek Approval from Heavenly Lord Tai Yi (太乙救苦天尊) to lead the Souls back to the Eastern Palace for Eternal Joysous (往昇東極青華宮).

Upon witnessing the Sending off, we proceed back to the Ritual ground for the Thanking of the Arrival Deities and with a quick chanting, the Sending off of the Deities was conducting.

With that, we ended the day by enjoying the “Leftover” feast.

While we were enjoying the feast, we also sat down to discuss on the upcoming Grand Salvation Ritual that will be taking place in September. For those who are interested to join in for the observation, details will be out soon after everything is being finalized.

Last but not least, thank to all whom had came to participate in this 7th Month Celebration Ritual.

Million Thanks to Vabien & Royce for sharing with us the photos.

PS: More pictures at http://www.facebook.com/groups/deityoftaoism/