The Holland-citizenship Door Deities (紅毛荷蘭籍門神)

In here, you will see a picture of 2 Holland-citizenship (Ang Mo) Door Deities.
This pair of Door Deities can be seen in Taiwan Lu Er Men Zhen Men Gong (台灣鹿兒門鎮門宮).

This Temple was built dedicated to Zheng Cheng Gong aka Kai Tai Wang Ye (hkk: Tee Sheng Kong 開台王爺鄭成功).

According to the record, Zheng Cheng Gong requested to have the Door Deities to be 2 Ang Mo and so, in-order to fulfill Lord Zheng's request, the Temple keepers painted 2 Holland Soldiers on the Door.

If you will to see carefully on the feets, they do not have shoes, reason is that, their feet size too big, no chinese shoes can fit them.

One year in the 50-60s (五六十年代), these 2 Door Deities actually appeared in dreams of the Local to request for shoes and during that year, Lu Er Men actually conducted a Grand Event on choosing a good & fit pair of shoes for the 2 Door Deities (選靴大會).

Till today, the story is still being told by the Elderlys of the town.

Requesting Wealth from Deity of Wealth - Marshal Zhao Gong Ming (趙公明元帥敕開財庫期)

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Other

In Taoism, on the 26th Day of Lunar 1 Month (正月廿六日), is considered as the Day of Heavenly Marshal Zhao Gong Ming (趙公明大天君) opening of Spiritual Wealth Coffer for All the Beings in this Realm.

On this Day, Taoists & Chinese will tend to visit Temples that dedicated to Zhao Gong Ming & his Assistants (五路財神) to request for the Blessing of Wealth & Good Lucks and also, Official Personnels will request for Blessing for the Country or Big Society.

So when is the Best timing to pay respect to Heavenly Marshal Zhao Gong Ming?

For some Taoists & Chinese, they tend to start the honouring at Zi/Rat Hour (子時 in China 11Pm to 01Am, Singapore 0000Hour) but some can honoured Zhao Gong Ming at 9.00Am in the Morning till Evening time (best before Sunset).

So in Singapore, where can we pay respect to Heavenly Marshal Zhao Gong Ming?

Here’re a few recommended Official Temples that oneself can visit:

Yue Hai Qing Temple (粵海清廟) at Philip Road (in CBD, at the Side Altar)

Yu Huang Temple (玉皇殿) at Havelock Road (at the Side Altar)

Telok Blangah Tee Kong Emperor Temple (天公廟) at Telok Blangah Road

Du Cheng Huang Temple (都城隍廟) at Tanjong Pagar (outside the Main Hall)

Jin Lan Temple (金蘭廟) at KimTian Road Tiong Bahra (at the Side Hall)

Sembawang Cai Shen Temple (三巴旺財神廟) at Admiralty Road (in the Main Hall)

So what are the Offerings that needed to prepare?

Here are the suggested items:

1 - One set of Mandarins (5 quantities 大吉)

2 - One set of Chinese Tea Leaves & Traditional Cookies (Jian He 餞盒)

3 - One set of Cai Shen Incense-paper (optional 財神金)

4 - One set of Cai Shen Robe (in Red Color 紅色財神袍)

5 - One set of Incense (not to short, medium length will be best - more than 48cm 富貴長命香)

6 - One Huat Kueh (發糕)

7 - Five Ancient Coins or The Five Emperors Coins (五個銅錢或五帝錢)
(Five Emperors Coins Pls refer to link: http://javewu.multiply.com/reviews/item/70)

8 - One Red Packet (一個紅包)

9 - One set of Red Candles (一對斗燭/紅燭)

After getting ready All the Offerings, visit any of the Temples and place All the Offerings on the Altar that dedicated to Heavenly Marshal Zhao Gong Ming.

Upon completing the placing of the Offerings, proceed to pay respect to the Main Deities in the Temple and last, proceed to the Altar for Zhao Gong Ming.

Sincerely light the Long Incenses, make 3 Respectful Bows and then kneel infront of the Altar.

Report to Zhao Gong Ming who you are and where you stay and then request for Good Luck & Necessary Blessing from him. (if you know of reciting the Bao Gao (寶誥), then do it before you do your reporting. Bao Gao can be found here: http://javewu.multiply.com/photos/album/121)

After reporting and requesting, stand up and sincerely bow 3 times again and then place the Incenses in the Urn and then step off the Altar area.

After 15 minutes, retrieved the Paper-offerings and burn them off.

Upon completiong, return to the Altar, retrieve the Ancient Coins and make 3 rounds above the Burning Incenses, allow the Coins to received the Blessings and then, keep them in the Red Packet. Keep the Coins by one's side in-order to get Blessing for the Good Luck & Wealth.

Once this is done, then the whole Ceremoni will be considered smoothly done.

Wu Liang Shou 無量壽

Opening of Spiritual Wealth Coffer Anniversary (趙公明元帥敕開財庫期)

On the 26th Day of Lunar 1 Month, Heavenly Marshal Zhao Gong Ming will be authorised to Open up the Spiritual Wealth Coffer to give Blessings to the Credit & Merit Accumulated People.

This Year, the Day falls on 20 Feb 2009, a Friday.

In order for oneself to get Blessed by Zhao Gong Ming, do remember to visit any Temples that dedicate Statue to him for the Blessing.

Banner of Xuan Tian Shang Di Bao Gao 03 (玄天上帝寶誥之三)

In the following is a Banner created dedicating to Xuan Tian Shang Di.

In this Banner, the Praise Mantra is known as Bao En Bao Gao aka Paying Gratitude to Parents Mantra.

This is one of the Important Mantras that Taoists shall recite.

Upon recitation, the Credits & Merits will be dedicated to Parents of oneself in this Present Life and also, Previous Lives.

Recite more and Parents will be Blessed.

The Four Items that Taoists & Chinese Dont Really Eat (道教四不吃的传说 )

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

In Taoism And Chinese Beliefs, there are a few things that we as Taoists and Chinese cant consume.

Reasons, due to mis-concept, mis-leading information being pass-down or certain instructions being pass-down by the Ancestors.

In here, I will like to share with all of you on the 4 Items that being advised by the various Heavenly Masters to their Descendants of not Consuming them in certain Occasions or Events.

The 4 Items are:

1) Calf (牛犢)


One Year, while the 30th Generation Heavenly Master Zhang Xu Jing (三十代天師張虛靖) was doing his Cultivation in Tian Shi Fu (天師府 HQ of Zheng Yi Sect), various Monks & Followers of the Three-in-One Religion (at that Era is still not yet being Officially Given a Title) approached Heavenly Master Zhang Xu Jing with a Calf.

Upon reaching the Main Hall of Tian Shi Fu, one of the Monks shouted at Heavenly Master Zhang Xu Jing, saying, since You All as Taoists can eat anything, why not You as the Leader of Taoism, killed this Calf in front of us and lead the Soul of the Calf to Heaven to enjoy the Eternal Blessing.

After hearing what the Monk had said, Heavenly Master Zhang Xu Jing got very disappointed and before he could replied, the other Followers of the Three-in-One Religion continued to bark at Heavenly Master Zhang Xu Jing, saying, since our Emperor believed in you so much, why NOT, You saw us your Little Tricks of how You Conned the Emperor.

Within seconds, Heavenly Master Zhang Xu Jing took out his Seven-Stars Sword and cut the Throat of the Little Calf. Just as he cut the Throat of the Calf, Heavenly Master Zhang Xu Jing summoned the Heavenly Generals to lead the Soul of the Calf to Heaven.

Upon the summoning & leading. Finally Heavenly Master Zhang Xu Jing opened his mouth to call upon All the Disciples & Students to the Main Hall. Soon, the Main Hall was crowded with Taoists & other Religions' Followers.

At this moment, Heavenly Master Zhang Xu Jing speak-up:

Due to Selfish-ness, Fame, Gaining of Reputation, etc, Followers of Sages & Saints are able to fight against each other and using forces to create Trouble for the others. All these are against the Upright Teaching of our Faith. In here, I have killed a Calf, but fortunate, I'm able to kill the Calf in a Cut without letting the Calf to suffer and able to give the Calf a chance of Reborn to a New Human Life.

But for those who have involved in asking me to Kill the Calf will always be put to a Suffering State, cos of their Selfish-ness, Ignorant & Inconsiderate.

From now on, in front of such People, we Taoists wont be eating any Beef or Meat from any form of Cow, Bull, Ox or Buffalo. Only when we are sincere in giving the Cow, Bull, Ox or Buffalo a Good Chance of Reborn into a Human, then we eat the Meat and drink the Milk. And of cos, recite the Salvation Scriptures for the Animal.

Knowing that Heavenly Master Zhang Xu Jing was not a Person who conned & could be defeated, the Monks & other Followers dashed off from Tian Shi Fu and from then, All Zheng Yi Sect Priests will only consume the Meat from Cow, etc, while we are really Sincere & Faithfully assisting the Cow, etc, in getting a Better Reborn.

Summary:

Due to this Rule, alot of Folks tend to mix the Teaching-up, saying that Taoists dont eat Cow Meat due to Lao Zi or Guan Yin, etc, which is not True.

2) Snakehead Fish (烏鱼)


A Year while the 18th Generation Heavenly Master Zhang Shi Yuan (十八代天師張世元) and his Disciples went around to do preaching, they approached a River with lots of Fishes.

While one of the Disciples went nearer to the River, he was shocked and immediately, he called upon his Master and Classmates to come over to look at the Fishes.

Upon approaching, the Disciple told his Master that the Black-headed Fish was eating up the Little Fishes that it had born.

After hearing that, Heavenly Master Zhang Shi Yuan smiled and by using his Robe's Sleeve, he scooped up the Mother Fish and recited a Mantra onto it and soon, the Mother Fish awaked from the Mantra. All the Disciples were shocked.

Seeing that the Mother Fish had woke-up, Heavenly Master Zhang Shi Yuan released the Fish into the River and gathered his Disciples around and said:

This type of Fish is known as Snakehead Fish, in Medication System, this type of Fish can be used to heal sick-people and those who are weak with leaking of Energy. But as a Taoist, we shall not eat this Fish un-necessary. Why? Due to the Filial Piety of such Fish type.

Upon hearing that, the Disiciples replied, Fishes understand Filial Piety?

Heavenly Master Zhang Shi Yuan smiled and reply, Yes, this Fish type does and continue speaking:

Just now, one of your Classmates saw the Mother Fish eating the Little Fishes that she had born, actually is Not. The fact is Vice-versa. Actually are the Little Fishes whom know that the Mother Fish is lacking of Energy after giving birth to them, in-order to keep the Mother Fish alive, the Little Fishes actually swim back into the stomach of the Mother Fish to allow the Mother Fish to digest them and return the Energy back to the Mother Fish.

Immediately after listening to what Heavenly Master Zhang Shi Yuan had said, most of the Disciples kneeled down and starting Sobbing. From then, the Disciples of Heavenly Master Zhang Shi Yuan understand the Theory & Importance of Filial Piety - Little Fishes knowing of returning Gratitude to Parent, as a Human, why alot of us are not able to?

From then, Taoists & Chinese started to cut down the consuming of such Fish type unless any Serious Incidents happened. When ever we needed to consume such Fish, we the Taoists will needed to recite the Bao En Bao Gao (報恩寶誥) to thank the Fish and also our Parent.

3) Wild Goose (雁子)


One Year, while Heavenly Master Zhang Dao Ling (祖天師張道陵) was traveling around with his Disciples to the other Cities in China, at a Cliff, suddenly 2 Wild Geese fell in front of them. Soon the Male Wild Goose pass-on. In-order to assist the Male Wild Goose of departing smoothly, Heavenly Master Zhang Dao Ling advise his Disciple to recite the Salvation Mantra for the Male Wild Goose.

Just as the Disciple approached the Pass-on Goose, the Female Wild Goose started to fight back and using one of her Wings to protect the Body of the Male Wild Goose.

Seeing that, Heavenly Master Zhang Dao Ling nodded his head and stepped forward to communicate with the Female Wild Goose. After a short recitation, the Female Wild Goose step aside and allowing the Disciple to send the last Journey of the Male Wild Goose off.

Soon, the sending off was done and one of the Disciples approached Heavenly Master Zhang Dao Ling and asked, why the Female Wild Goose was so protective against the pass-on Male Wild Goose?

Heavenly Master Zhang Dao Ling replied:

Goose, a type of Bird (Duck) type that show very strong bonding and relationship among it's own Family Lineage, especially Husband & Wife Geese. Whenever one of the Couple pass-on, the other half will tend to stay by the side and Cried out loudly and sadly in-order to show the Heart-pain of losing the other Life-time-partner.

And this is why, we shall not killed them un-necessary for Fun or consuming. Nowadays (in Han Dynasty), due to showing off of Skills, alot of People tend to use Wild Geese as the Bull-eye-target for Arrow-practising, which this is not Correct and Upright.

After hearing the reply, All the Disciples made a Vow of passing down this Message to the Descendants of not Killing such Wild Geese without any Valid Good Reason.

4) Dog (狗)


While 27th Generation Heavenly Master Zhang Xiang Zhong (二十七代天師張象中) was still 12 years old, one day while he was doing his Study of Taoist Scripture, a little Dog from no where appeared infront of him. With his surprise and delightness, Heavenly Master Zhang Xiang Zhong kept the little Dog as a Pet.

Soon, Heavenly Master Zhang Xiang Zhong had reached the age of 20.

One Year, while he was about to start his traveling to perform his Preaching Task, the Old Dog ran out of the House and keep barking. Knowing that the Old Dog wanting to follow, Heavenly Master Zhang Xiang Zhong allowed the Old Dog to join in their Traveling Group.

Within days, the Traveling Group reached a Town. Due to the Weather was getting bad, Heavenly Master Zhang Xiang Zhong had to advise the Disciples to rent a few rooms in the Inn to stay over night. Soon, the admission was done and All of them got back to their Rooms.

After Mid night, the Wind started to blow strongly and with a hard-blow sweep, the Oil Lamps in the Inn were being blown off from the Racks. Soon, the Inn was on Fire.

Just at that moment, the Old ran around the Rooms to bark loudly and kept banging onto the Wooden Doors and Walls to wake the Traveling Group up. Hearing the Banging and Barking, Heavenly Master Zhang Xiang Zhong woke up and realised that the Inn was on Fire and so, with his possible Assistance, he assist the Inn Owner to stop the Fire from spreading.

After a while, the Fire was being put-off, but with their horror, the Old Dog pass-on due to over exhausted. With a Thankful and Sincere thought, Heavenly Master Zhang Xiang Zhong asked the Inn Owner for a little piece of Land to bury the Dog up.

Upon completion, Heavenly Master Zhang Xiang Zhong said:

Dog, a Loyalty House-hold Pet. Knowing of serving the Owner, knowing of saving Lives. And why are there still so many People wanted to kill such Good Animal and consume it without shame?

From then, the Disciples vowed to pass the Message to People around the whole Country of not eating Dog Meat.

Introduction on the 3 Groups of Eight Immortals in Taoist Context (道教三洞八仙簡介)

Alot of People had approached me of whether is there a record of the Various Groups of Eight Immortals aka Ba Xian in our Taoist Contexts and Yes, I can reply to you all.

If you will to visit Jin Fu Gong (金福宮) located at Jurong West Street 91, you will be able to see the 3 sets of Paintings on the Various Ba Xian Groups. And I can said that, the Painting is Fabulous and Accurate.

In here, I will do a quick introduction on the 3 Groups of Commonly Seen Ba Xian in our Taoist Contexts:

Group One: The Superior Ba Xian (上洞八仙)

福星。禄星。寿星。Fu Lu Shou, the Three Immortal Lords of Prosperity, Fortune & Longevity.

张仙。Zhang Xian aka Lord Zhang. The Lord who is in-charge of Protecting Babies from being attacked by Heavenly Dog (天狗).

东方塑。Dong Fang Shuo. The Han Premier and also, the Taoist Cultivator who gain Immortal-hood. Always being seen carrying an Immortal Peach.

廣成子。Guang Cheng Zi. An Ancient Taoist Priest, in some Contexts, known as the Disciple of Yuan Shi Tian Zun (元始天尊).

彭祖。Immortal Peng. A Taoist who gained 800 Years Old Life-span from Lord Bei Dou (北斗星君).

骊山老母。 Immortal Lady Li Shan. The Female Immortal who got the Authorization from Xi Wang Mu (西王母) to do training on New Female Deities & Immortals.

Group Two: The Cultivated Priests Ba Xian (中洞八仙)

In this Group, most of them were Taoist Priests who gained Enlightenment after their Life-time Cultivation & Training. Some of them even got Immortalize by Taoists of the Newer Generation.

And this is the Most Commonly Group of Ba Xian that we can see nowadays.

钟离权。Zhong Li Quan

吕洞宾。Lv Dong Bin

李铁拐。Li Tie Guai aka Tie Guai Li

张果老。Zhang Guo Lao

何仙姑。He Xian Gu

蓝采和。Lan Cai He

韩湘子。Han Xiang Zi

曹国舅。 Cao Guo Jiu

Group Three: The Immortals, Priests & Human Ba Xian (下洞八仙)

In this Group, you will see a combination of Deities, Immortals, Priests, Humans & some said Enlighted-Demons.

陈抟。Immortal Chen Tuan. A Cultivated Priest who was the Teacher of many Famous Generals & Deities.

鬼谷子。Immortal Gui Gu Zi. A Cultivated Priest with Supreme Spiritual Skills of Predictions.

王乔。Immortal Wang Qiao. In records, there are 3 Wang Qiao but All of them are equipped with Good Spiritual Skills & Magic Power.

刘海。Immortal Liu Hai. A Taoist Priest or some said Immortal. Born in Tang Dynasty.

和合二仙。Immortals He He. Man-created Characters, some said Cultivated-Demons and some agreed that this Pair of Deities will be imported from Buddhism Context. Appeared in 2 Young Boy form, on them, they carried a Basket & Lotus.

李八百。Immortal Li Ba Bai. Gained a Life-span of 800 Years and this was why he got a Name of Li Ba Bai. Born in Three Kingdon Era. Hometown in Si Chuan Province. A Cultivated Priest.

麻姑。 Fairy Ma Gu. A Priestess. Some said she was the Disciple of Xi Wang Mu (西王母). Always seeing her carried an Immortal Peach.

 

Banner of Xuan Tian Shang Di Bao Gao 02 (玄天上帝寶誥之二)

This is the Second Bao Gao aka Praise Mantra dedicated to Xuan Tian Shang Di.

Though this is not a Common Bao Gao that being recited by the Taoist Priest regularly but in certain Rituals/Ceremonies, this Bao Gao is also being used to invoke the Invitation of Xuan Tian Shang Di.

Sharing of Xuan Tian Shang Di Pictorial Story Book (玄天上帝圖畫故事書)

Dear All,

In here is a Pictorial Story Book that I have collected since I was about 10 Years Old. Now, I think that this Book is Out-of-Published and it's quite impossible to anyone to find this Book in the Market.

If anyone is interested in having one copy of this Book, you can PM me or Email me at javecxwu@gmail.com with your Full Name, Address & Contact Number.

I will assist you in getting the Book copied and send to you.

This Pictorial Story cosist of 60 Pages. And so with the printing and sending, it might cost you S$2.50.

PS: For the moment, only Open to All Singaporean, unless someone in Malaysia is able to get All the Names for me & get the Final Printed Copies from me.

PPS: This is NOT Commercial Trading, so do not Sell this Book to anyone.

Ancestor of the Ng Clan of Teochew Jie Yang Lineage (潮州揭陽黃氏祖先)

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Other

Upon request, in the following are the Ancestors recorded in the Ng Clan of Teochew Jie Yang County.

Ancestor No. One:

Huang De San (黃德三) aka Ng Teck Sam. Born in Yuan Dynasty (生于元朝年間), residing in China Ning Hua (宁化) & Hokkien Pu Tian (莆田). In Late Yuan Dynasty, Beginning of Ming Dynasty, Huang De San migrated from Pu Tian to Chao Zhou Zhi Pu Du (直浦都).

The Grandson of Huang De San known as Huang Liang (黃亮) aka Ng Liang, was the Founder Ancestor of Chao Zhou Guang Mei County (广美俗名港尾formerly known as Gang Wei aka Kang Buey).

Ancestor No. Two:

Huang Zhi Zheng (黃致政) aka Ng Tee Cheng. Born in Song Dynasty (生于宋朝年間). Hometown in China Hokkien Province Pu Tian Area (祖籍福建莆田).

In AD1068 (till 1085), Huang Zhi Zheng was being appointed to hold the Position of Magistrate Officer ar Hai Feng County (海丰县), after the his Years-of-Magistrating ended, Huang Zhi Zheng refused to return back to Pu Tian and so, he stayed in Chao Zhou Jie Yang County. From then, he started his Family Lineage in Jie Yang County.

Ancestor No. Three:

Huang Dao Mei (黃道美) aka Ng Toh Bee. Born in Ming Dynasty (生于明朝年間). Hometown in Chao Zhou Chao Yang Long Pi Area (潮阳龙陂). Not much history being recorded.

Roundest Moon in 52 Years (最圓的元宵月)

According to Reports, this Year, the Moon that appeared on the Sky on the 15th Night of Lunar New Year was the Roundest in the 52 Years.

And if you will to ask me, Yes, I will replied.

Last night, while Sending Off some of the Paper-Offerings to Tian Guan Da Di, one of my Students took a few Pictures of the Moon.

In here, we will share with you all :P