Poster for Lord Wen Chang's Anniversary (文昌帝君聖誕海報)

A Poster made specially dedicated to Lord Wen Chang for his Manifestation Anniversary.

Hou Tian Tu Huang Bao Gao (后天土皇寶誥)

Dear All,

Tu Di Gong aka Fu De Zheng Shen Da Bo Gong's Birthday coming, on that day, if you are able, do recite the San Yuan San Guan Scripture for him or your Home Deities, after reciting that, you can recite the following Hou Tian Tu Huang Mantra (Praise).

Here it goes: ~~~~~~~~~

后天土皇寶誥 (Hou Tian Tu Huang Bao Gao)　　　

至心皈命禮 (拜)

Zhi Xin Gui Ming Li(Bow)

九華玉闕　七寶皇房　承天稟命之司　

Jiu Hua Yu Jue,Qi Bao Huang Fang,

Cheng Tian Bing Ming Zhi Si

主陰執陽之柄　道推尊而含宏光大

Zhu Yin Zhi Yang Zhi Bing,

Dao Tui Zun Er Han Hong Guang Da

德敷數於柔順利貞　效法昊天

De Fu Shu Yu Rou Shun Li Zhen,

Xiao Fa Han Tian

根本育坤元之美　流行品物　

Gen Ben Yu Kun Yuan Zhi Mei,

Liu Xing Pin Wu

生成施母道之仁　

Sheng Cheng Shi Mu Zhi Ren

嶽瀆是依　山川咸伏

Yu Du Shi Yi,Shan Chuan Jian Fu

大聖大慈(拜)   大悲大願(拜)　

Da Sheng Da Ci(Bow),Da Bei Da Yuan(Bow)

承天效法后土皇地靈衹(拜)

Cheng Tian Xiao Fa Hou Tu Huang Di Ling Zhi(Bow)

至心皈命禮(拜)

Zhi Xin Gui Ming Li(Bow)

青靈洞陽北都宮中　部四十二曹　偕九千萬眾

Qing Ling Dong Yang Bei Du Gong Zhong,

Bu Si Shi Er Cao,Xie Jiu Qian Wan Zhong

主管三界十方九地　掌握五嶽八極四維　

Zhu Guan San Jie Shi Fang Jiu Di,

Zhang Wo Wu Yu Ba Ji Si Wei

吐納陰陽　覈男女善惡青黑之籍　

Tu Na Yin Yang,Fu Nan Nv Shan E Qing Hei Zhi Ji

慈育天地　考眾生錄籍禍福之名　

Ci Yu Tian Di,Kao Zhong Sheng Lu Ji Huo Fu Zhi Ming

法源廣大　而能離九幽　浩劫垂光　

Fa Yuan Guang Da,Er Neng Li Jiu You,

Hao Jie Chui Guang

而能消萬罪　群生父母　存歿沾恩　

Er Neng Xiao Wan Zhui,Qun Sheng Fu Mu,

Cun Yi Zhan En

大聖大慈(拜)   大悲大願(拜)　

Da Sheng Da Ci(Bow),Da Bei Da Yuan(Bow)

中元七赦罪地官洞靈清虛大帝青靈帝君(拜)

Zhong Yuan Qi She Zhui Di Guan Dong Ling Qing Xu Da Di Qing Ling Di Jun(Bow)

至心皈命禮(拜)

Zhi Xin Gui Ming Li(Bow)

萬山宗主　九土威神　青黃赤白黑　各豁其天

Wan Shan Zong Zhu,Jiu Tu Wei Shen,

Qing Huang Chi Bai Hei,Ge Huo Qi Tian

東南西北中　胥從其地　大生廣生含生　

Dong Nan Xi Bei Zhong,Xu Chong Qi Di,

Da Sheng Guang Sheng Han Sheng

群賴其匡庇　神應 感應 類應　罔越其範圍　

Qun Lai Qi Kuang Bi,Shen Ying,

Gan Ying,Lei Ying,Mang Yue Qi Fan Wei

七九五三統會於一元之中　億百千萬官　

Qi Jiu Wu San,Tong Hui Yu Yi Yuan Zhi Zhong,

Yi Bai Qian Wan Guan

總隸乎五岳之掌　封禪久沿於累代　

Zhong Li Hu Wu Yue Zhi Zhang,

Feng Chan Jiu Yan Yu Lei Dai

管轄本冊於玉清(拜)　

Guan Xia Ben Ce Yu Yu Qing(Bow)

大聖大慈(拜)   大悲大願(拜)　

Da Sheng Da Ci(Bow),Da Bei Da Yuan(Bow)

五岳名山大帝威靈烜赫天尊(拜) 　

Wu Yue Ming Shan Da Di Wei Ling Huan He Tian Zun(Bow)

至心皈命禮(拜)

Zhi Xin Gui Ming Li(Bow)

慈悲宣文　贊化天人之損益　寬仁施惠　

Ci Bei Xuan Wen,Zhan Hua Tian Ren Zhi Juan Sun Yi,

Kuan Ren Shi Hui

喚醒物類之癡頑　聖志救苦於尋聲　

Huan Xing Wu Lei Zhi Chi Wan,

Sheng Zhi Jiu Ku Yu Xun Sheng

婆心利人而覺世　玄功八九　成道教之宗風　

Po Xin Li Ren Er Jue Shi,Xuan Gong Ba Jiu,

Cheng Dao Jiao Zhi Zong Feng

隱德三千　入玄門之流派　

Yin De San Qian,Ru Xuan Men Zhi Liu Pai

妙藥普濟於人間　回死起生　

Miao Yao Pu Ji Yu Ren Jian,Hui Si Qi Sheng

大道通傳於天下　

Da Dao Tong Chuan Yu Tian Xia

引正除邪　誠是無上　一品不亞　

Yin Zheng Chu Xie,Cheng Shi Wu Shang,

Yi Pin Bu Ya

至極三清(拜)　九天開化　無上至尊

Zhi Ji San Qing(Bow),Jiu Tian Kai Hua,

Wu Shang Zhi Zun

統轄天曹各部群星掌劫大天尊玄穹高上帝(拜)

Tong Xia Tian Cao Ge Bu Qun Xing Zhang Jie Da Tian Zun Xuan Qiong Gao Shang Di (Bow)

 

Lord Wen Chang's Birthday at Taoist Mission Singapore

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

Dear All,

Singapore Taoist Mission HQ will be open for devotees to walk-in to pay respect to Lord Wen Chang on his birthday, next Wednesday.

For those who are interested, can proceed down.

Address:

58 Somme Road Singapore 207875

Contact:

6295 6112

Wang Hai Da Bo Gong Temple Event Line-up 2007

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

This year, Wang Hai Da Bo Gong Temple will be having a Six days Celebration for the Fu De Zheng Shen Da Bo Gong, the eveny schedule is as follow:

2 Lunar 2 Mth (Tue):

Upon donating of a S$10, devotees will be able to get a "Hope Ang Bao" from Da Bo Gong

3 Lunar 2 Mth (Wed):

Offering "Brightness Candles" and Pagoda Incenses to Fu De Zheng Shen Da Bo Gong - Whole Day

4 Lunar 2 Mth (Thur):

Paying Birthday Respect to Fu De Zheng Shen Da Bo Gong
(Best timing: Noon 1PM - 3PM)

5 Lunar 2 Mth (Fri):

Paying Birthday Respect to Fu De Zheng Shen Da Bo Gong
(Best timing: Noon 3PM - 5PM)

6 Lunar 2 Mth (Sat):

Grand Paying Respect Ceremony to Fu De Zheng Shen Da Bo Gong
(Starting at 11AM)

7 Lunar 2 Mth (Sun):

Fu De Zheng Shen Da Bo Gong giving out Golden Chains to devotees (only those who are fated - all can go and try)

Vegetarian Cusines will be provided

Contact: 62219787

Buses to there:

SBS 10, 70, 75, 97, 100, 107, 130, 131, 162, 186, 196

CCS: 400, 608

Tibs: 167, 700, 970

Qing Ming Period for Year 2007

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

Hi All,

Just to keep all of you update on this year's Qing Ming Period.

This year, the actual day for Qing Ming falls on 5th of April 2007, chinese calendar on 18th of Lunar 2nd Month.

All descandents can start to visit tombs starting from 26th Mar 2007, chinese calendar 8th of Lunar 2nd Month (10 Days before, chn: Shi Tian Qian) till 15th April 2007, chinese calendar 28th of Lunar 2nd Month (10 Days after, chn: Hou Shi Tian).

As for some families, 3rd of Lunar 3rd Month is a common day for them to pay respect to their Ancestors at home.

Places that you can pay respect to Da Bo Gong

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

Dear All,

Here's a brief compilation of temples tht you can visit to pay ur respect to Da Bo Gong on the coming 2 day of Lunar 2 month (next tues)

1. Wang Hai Da Bo Gong Temple (palmer rd)

2. Rochor Da Bo Gong Temple (balestier)

3. Bukit Timah Da Bo Gong Temple (opps Beauty World Complex)

4. Loyang Da Bo Gong Temple

5. Tuas Da Bo Gong Temple (Boon Lay)

6. Jin Fu Gong (Jurong West or Woodlands Ave 9)

7. Lian Shan Cheng Huang Temple - side altar (Toa Payoh Kim Keat)

8. Toa Payoh Wu He Temple - cantonese clan (Toa Payoh Lor 7)

9. Wan Shan Fu De Chi - cantonese clan (Sims Dr)

10. Jiu Tiao Qiao Na Tu Temple (Old Tampines Rd)

11. Shu Tou Da Bo Gong Temple (Tampines Ave 5)

12. Kusu Da Bo Gong Temple (Kusu Island)

13. Heng Huat Temple (Yishun)

History of the 1st Altar for worshipping (道教史上第一個神安/神台)

According to "Late Han Dynasty Records", the 1^st "Altar" that being set-up was after Emperor Huan get onto the throne (which was abt 1800++ years ago).

 

In the records, it goes like this:

 

On the 18^th year of Emperor Huan on throne, he grow great interest in Spiritual and Immortality actions. On the 8^th Year of Yan Xi Period, he instructed his staffs to set up a Shrine in Country Chen Province Ku, for Lao Zi. On the 9^th Year, he, went personally to pay respect to Lao Zi. During the ceremony, he uses Wen Chu (can be describe as study-table or book-rack) as Altar, Golden plated utensils as carriage for offerings, having a chair/seat with decorated stuffs like Hua Gai (an old form of umbrella, represent Grand and Royalty) and last, with Jiao Tian Yue (regard as the 1^st form of Taoist Music).

 

(桓帝即位十八年，好神仙事。延熹八年，初使中常侍之陈国苦县祠老子。九年，亲祠老子于濯龙。文罽(櫥)为坛，饰淳金扣器，设华盖之坐，用郊天乐也。)

 

So from here, we can know that actually the so-called 1^st Altar was being set-up in abt 1800++ years ago, not only that, the Taoist Music was also being created at that period.

 

And why before that period, no Altars were being found?

 

In some records, earlier than Emperor Huan's period, such ceremonies were usually carried out in the field, "Altars" were usually made by soil/sand pile. The so-called "Priests" were all stood in-front of the soil/sand pile while they were doing their rituals.

Another version of Gan Tian Da Di

Qing Ming Festival – remembrance of Jie Zi Tui (Teochew Gan Tian Da Di)

 

Qing Ming, not only a day for visiting Ancestors’ tombs but also, to remembrance a famous historical character ~ Jie Zi Tui.

 

After Jie Zi Tui being burnt to death at Mian Shan, he was given a title of “Gan Tian Da Di” (for the Teochew Clan) – in-charge of local grains/wheats and domestic animals.

 

So from here, we can see that actually for Gan Tian Da Di, there’s 2 versions (the other version is Xu Xun).

 

介子推烧死于山林，后世被尊为“感天大帝”(俗称“伯爷”)，成为山林地带人蓄五谷的保护神。后陇村落虽在平地，但临近山林。耕地一半为水田，一半为旱地。
　　

因为村落及田园的特点，需要“感天大帝”介子推保护，故形成了村民对这位神明的信仰，古老的寒食节得以演绎后保留下来。

 

Extracted from: 潮汕信仰习俗站

Addressing-terms for Taoism

According to record made before year 1916, which was 90+ years ago, in China, the Bai Shen (Deities Worshipping) Group was addressed as Tong Su Dao Jiao, in chn: 通俗道教, which means that the “Taoism” is closely related/associated with the folks’ practises and local customs whereas the “Main Stream” Taoism was addressed as Dao Shi Dao Jiao, chn: 道士道教, which means that only trained or qualified Priests could only be involved in the rituals/ceremonies, etc.

 

But after certain arguments on the addressing and the sounding, which always mis-lead the others, the addressing of the 2 different groups changed from the above-mentioned to the following-mentioned addresses after the year 1939.

 

Tong Su Dao Jiao to Min Zhong Dao Jiao, in chn: 民眾道教, which means that this Taoism Group belongs to the Folks, translated to english will be known as Folks Taoism or Public Taoism, whereas;

 

Dao Shi Dao Jiao to Cheng Li Dao Jiao, in chn: 成立道教, which means Established Taoism or can also be addressed as Main-Stream Taoism or english version: Orthodox Taoism.

 

Such addresses can be widely seen in records after 1940s.

 

Additional Point: The starting period of this Min Zhong Dao Jiao starts as early as Tang Dynasty, and who's the one who initial it? No other than the founder of Quan Zhen Sect - Lv Dong Bin aka Lv Yan.

Uses of Candles (道教之供燈)

燈為何物﹖

 

"燈" 即是"燭" 。

 

在神案上點燃"燈" ﹐人們便可向神明祈求平安及光明。願一切事物在神明的大道光芒下﹐能時時事事順利。

 

What is Candle (Lamp) used for?

 

Many people again have this thinking of Deities need Candles as their food, in-order to give them energy, etc, actually this is very in-accurate and mis-leading. Why shall a Deity be fed on Candles and Incenses since he/she is already out from the 6 Realms Reincarnation?

 

Candle (Lamp), a significant of Brightness.

 

When a devotee offered his/her Candles (Lamp) to the Deities, he/she will be somehow blessed by the Deities for “brightness” in his/her future and the most important – smoothness on whatever he/she does.

 

This may sounds a bit superstitious, but according to records and practices from other Religions all over the World, Candles do have such a meaning.

 

So what type of Candles shall we offered?

 

For Chinese (Taoism), usually we will prefer RED color, a color of Prosperity and Luck and also to represent Happiness and Reunion. Whereas for Buddhism, people tend to offer Yellow or sometime White for purity.

 

Nowadays, we can see lots of new form Candles on the market. Such as Lotus, Pineapple, Ingots shape, etc, all are fine, as long as we have the sincerity and beware of the safety-ness during the using of such Candles.