A year is about to end and its almost time for those who requested blessings from Tai Sui aka Lord of Year & Age during the beginning of the Year, to show their gratitude for Lord Tai Sui.
For those who signed up for the Tai Sui blessing Ritual/Ceremony before Li Chun Day (立春) or during the Lunar New Year Period (農曆新春期間), for this End-of-year Period, a Thanks-Giving Ritual/Ceremony will be conducted by the Spiritual Master again (in the Temple or Taoist Organisation that you joined or visit), the devotees just needed to go back to the Temple to get registered for the Thanks-Giving Ritual/Ceremony, the Spiritual Master will assist in performing the Thanks Giving Respect on behalf of the devotees.
For those who didn't signed up for such Ritual/Ceremony, one self can prepared a set of 5 oranges (五粒桔子), 1 packet of tea leaves (茶葉一包), 1 packet of Traditional Cookies (餞盒一包) and 1 set of incense-paper (1000 normal Gold-paper 千金一份, 1 pack of Gui Ren-paper 貴人紙一套) and an Official Thanks-Giving Spiritual Petition for Lord Tai Sui (謝太歲疏文).
PS: For those who need the Spiritual Petition, you can contact me for that
After preparing the necessary items, do go back to your respective temple to pay respect to the Lord Tai Sui.
So when is the best period to return the gratitude?
Usually when we entered in the Lunar 11 Month (for 2008, it starts on 28 Nov), we can start to perform the Thanks-Giving Ceremony/Ritual.
And Best will be, to do it before Dong Zhi Festival 冬至 (for 2008, will be before 21 Dec), but if one self is not able to perform that before this period, one self can always do it before 16th Day of Lunar 12 Month (尾牙前). Once over 16th Day of Lunar 12 Month (11 Jan 2009), then it will consider as "over-due".
Last of all, always maintain a sincere mind & soul and be faithful while paying respect to Lord Tai Sui. Once one self is sincere and faithful, without any offerings, one self will still get the blessings from Lord Tai Sui.
For those who got-in-conflict with Lord Tai Sui, need not feel bad or sad, cos no necessary for one self who got-in-conflict with Lord Tai Sui will have bad-luck thru-out the year.
As long as you are upright and sincere, you will be blessed.
These 2 Photos were being taken last week in Taiwan (by the Press), during the Sending Off and Paying Respect Ceremony/Ritual for 64th Heavenly Master Zhang Yuan Xian.
Zhou Cang, born year unknown (生年不詳). Hometown in China Shan Xi Province, Ping Lu County (中國山西省平廬縣).
According to records, Zhou Cang was born in a Poor family. At a very young age, Zhou Cang’s Father passed-away, leaving him and his weak-mother.
After reaching the Youth-age-period, Zhou Cang wandered around in his County to look for jobs and money-earning-opportunities, but to his disappointment, no one wanted to employ him (due to the Warring Period, everywhere was in a Chaotic situation).
AD 184, Zhang Jiao and his 2 Brothers, Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang (黃巾三公將軍 – 張角/張寶/張梁) gathered the suffering citizens of Late-Han Dynasty to form the Righteous Army to overthrown the Han Emperor, Zhou Cang volunteered himself to join in the Troop that led by Zhang Bao.
Years of wandering around and fighting, the Leader of Zhou Cang, Zhang Bao sacrificed in one of the Battling. Upon then, Zhou Cang and his friend Pei Yuan Shao (裴元紹), lost their Leader and both of them started to wander around.
One Year, Zhou Cang and Pei Yuan Shao arrived at a forested area and after combing around the forested area, Zhou Cang and Pei Yuan Shao found out that this area was known as Wo Niu Mountain (臥牛山). And so, Zhou Cang and Pei Yuan Shao decided to stay in the Mountain and then, gathered more people in-order to form the Righteous Army to fight against the useless Late Han Empire.
Soon, after the news of Zhou Cang and Fei Yuan Shao doing recruiting of Members for the Righteous Army, a lot of suffering citizens flooded to Wo Niu Mountain to volunteer themselves and within years, the man-power under Zhou Cang and Pei Yuan Shao was un-countable.
One year, while Guan Yu (關羽) aka Guan Gong (關公) escorting his 2 Sister-in-laws (Liu Bei’s Wives) to another venue for hiding, they pass-by Wo Niu Mountain without knowing that there was a Troop of Righteous Army staying inside.
Upon knowing someone passing Wo Niu Mountain, Zhou Cang and Pei Yuan Shao thought that someone had come to invade their territory, Zhou Cang and Pei Yuan Shao were very annoyed and decided to meet up with the “invaders”.
After approaching Guan Yu, Zhou Cang and Pei Yuan Shao were shocked to know that the person who stood infront of them was the Famous Loyalty & Upright General Guan Yun Chang, immediately, Zhou Cang and Pei Yuan Shao surrendered their weapons and kneeled down onto the ground to request for Guan Yu to accept them as the Assistants.
Knowing that Zhou Cang and Pei Yuan Shao were 2 Brave and Righteous People, Guan Yu decided to keep them into the Troop. Upon hearing the acceptance, Zhou Cang and Pei Yuan Shao were overjoyed and Zhou Cang made a vow infront of Guan Yu, saying that, from this moment, wherever Guan Yu went, he would be by the side to assist him, whether in taking care of the Horse or cleaning of the Sabre, Zhou Cang got no complaints.
From then, Zhou Cang became the Private Assistant of Guan Yu.
AD 219, 17th Day of Lunar 12 Month (農曆十二月十七日), Guan Yu was being killed together with his Son, Guan Ping (關平). Upon knowing that Guan Yu had been killed, Zhou Cang was ultimately upset and disappointed and so by obeying the vow that he had made during the year that Guan Yu accepted him, Zhou Cang killed himself by jumping down from the City Gate where Guan Yu was killed (another version was that, Zhou Cang was also being caught and being beheaded with Guan Yu and Guan Ping).
Due to the Loyalty and Uprightness of Zhou Cang, the Chinese built Temples and set-up Altars for him in-order to allow the descendants to keep in memory of the Good things and Good attitude that Zhou Cang had.
Till today, if we will to visit any Temples or Altars that dedicated to Guan Yu, you will see a Black-face General (黑面), holding to the Green Dragon Sabre (手執青龍偃月刀), that is Zhou Cang – The Loyal Assistant of Guan Yu.
Points to Ponder:
A lot of Folks had been claiming that 23rd Day of Lunar 10 Month is the Birthday of Zhou Cang, but till today, no one had been able to get any form of physical evidence from the History Records and Religious Articles proving that.
Reason:
1) Zhou Cang is not a Historical Character that people know
2) Zhou Cang is a man-made Character
3) The real assistant of Guan Yu does not have a name of Zhou Cang, but another person
Then why, there’s a Anniversary of 23rd Day of Lunar 10 Month, according to researches and finding out, this might be the Day where Zhou Cang met-up with Guan Yu and he was being Officially accepted to be part of the Troop of Guan Yu.
As for the Death-Anniversary, this was being recorded since the day when the Historian recorded the death of Guan Yu.
Finally got some time to do a quick report on the recent Past-event of Long Shan Men.
On the 9 of Oct 2008 (12th Day of Lunar 10 Month), one of the 36th Generation Student, Donnie and I made a trip to Yue Hai Qing Temple (粵海清廟 located at Philip Street) to pay our Respect to Xuan Tian Shang Di (玄天上帝) and also, to get the Flag and Printed-Painting for Endorsing (getting the Decade Old Seal to stamp on it – a very Rare Opportunity).
At about 9.00Am, we arrived in the office to pay our quick respect to our own Xuan Tian Shang Di and after the paying of Respect, we set-off for the visiting of the Temple.
Around 10.00Am, we arrived at the Temple and as usual, we were welcomed by the friendly Temple-keeper (which I always address him as Da Ge – Big Brother 大哥).
Upon telling him that we were there to make our respect and getting the Flag and Painting endorsed, he was delighted and after asking for the Seal-endorsing, Da Ge retrieved the Old-old Seal from the Cabinet to perform the stamping for us.
Knowing that I was also a Taoist Priest, he was more than happy to allow me to do the Guo Huo Ceremony (過火) for the Flag and Endorsed Painting. And so after we prepared the necessary offerings onto the Main Altar, a quick and simple reporting was being made and then, we proceed with the Guo Huo Ceremony.
Guo Huo, a form of simple and yet Official Procedure to be carried out in-order to get the Endorsed Items being Enhanced by the Official Spiritual Energies in a Temple of Holy-Premises.
In Yue Hai Qing Temple, due to certain restrict and also short of other materials, we could only Sway the Flag and Paintings around the Main Urn 3 rounds.
After the Procedure was being carried out, the simple Endorsing Ceremony was considered Official-done.
Before we leave for Office for another round of Ritual in the noon, we burnt off our Paper-offerings in the Big-big created Brick Urn. And just when we stepped out of the Temple, we were delighted to see Great Fire coming out from the Brick Urn (the amount that we burn was very little but the Fire seems like we had burnt tones of Paper).
With a fulfilled and delighted mood, we set off for office.
PS: Due to the restrictions and rules of the Temple, we are not allowed to take any Pictures inside the Temple and so, we can only take a few Photos to keep as memory of the Endorsing Ceremony for Year 2008.
Yesterday, after my dearest Taoist Classmate visited our newly set-up Office, I suggested to him that we were pay a visit to this very Special Temple located somewhere near by and with a great delighted reply from my Classmate, we set off to visit the Temple before we head-off for our Breakfast.
Upon arriving at the Temple, we saw that the main Gate was locked, so we assumed that the Temple-keeper might not had arrived at the Temple and so, we just stood outside trying to peep into the Temple and suddenly, a friendly and compassionate-looking Uncle walked out of the Temple and immediately, we asked for permission to enter the Temple and with a delightful reply, we were warmly being ushered in by the Uncle.
This was the Temple that I had been searching for quite sometime, Qing Long Gong (青龍宮) aka Green Dragon Temple (not the one located at West Coast, but the one in Sims Drive - Aljunied) that honored Bao Sheng Da Di, the Lord of Chinese Physician (保生大帝).
After entering into the Temple, we were totally attracted by the Ancient Looking Temple, with the nicely painted Walls, neatly maintained Hundred-year Altars and the Nicely Frame-up Statues on the Antique Wooden Altars.
With an emotion of touched and moved, suddenly my child-hood memories appeared in my mind… this is the type of old houses and antique furniture that I used to see during my younger days.
While I’m doing my first round of wandering around in the Temple, my Classmate had got his set of Offerings and started to make his respect to the Deities.
At the same time, I was there to do chit chat with the Uncle. After a quick introduction, I was told that he was the 3rd Generation Descendant of the Temple Founder. Now, the Temple was still being taken care of by the 3rd and 4th Generation Descendants. And on every year, the 15th Day of Lunar 3 Month (Manifestation Anniversary of Bao Sheng Da Di), the whole Family would gather in the Temple to do celebration for the Deity – this is the Unique Bonding of a Traditional Taoist Family.
After the introduction, the Uncle led me to the Side Altar that dedicated to his Grandparent. Upon arriving at the Altar, a very strong warm Energy and a very peaceful feeling approached me and while my Classmate came to join us, he felt that too. Immediately, we knew that something Spiritually had occurred around that area.
While we enjoying the Warm Energy, the Uncle told us that his Grandfather, which was the Founder of the Temple, was actually a Chinese Physician from China. Many many Years ago, while his Grandfather came over to Singapore, he also brought over the statue of Bao Sheng Da Di from China and from then, the Family started to dedicate a place for Bao Sheng Da Di till today.
Time flies while people chat. After checking the timing, I found that we had stayed in the Temple for about an hour and so, at about 11.00Am, we made our leave from the Temple to head for our late Breakfast.
Just as we about to leave the Temple, we promised to visit the Temple next year to join in the Celebration of Bao Sheng Da Di.
PS: Upon granting my wishes, the Uncle allowed me to take photos of the Temple, just that no shooting on the Statues and so, in the following, you wont be able to see any pictures of the Statues. But if you are interested in seeing the statues, I will advised you to go down to the Temple yourself, cos you will have a very different feeling in there.
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。
