Manifestation Anniversary of Lord of Sun 2010 (庚寅年日宮太陽星君千秋聖誕)

Tai Yang Xing Jun aka Lord of Sun or Lord of Sun (日宮太陽星君), one of the Important Deities in the Heavenly Realm that provide the direct Blessings for All Beings in the Mortal World.

According to Taoist Records, there are 2 Manifestation Anniversarys for Tai Yang Xing Jun, one of them is on 19th Day of Lunar 8 Month.

On this Day, the Taoists or Chinese will tend to visit Temples that being dedicated to Tai Yang Xing Jun to pay respect in early Morning, usually during the timing of Sun-rise.

In Ming Dynasty, the belief on Tai Yang Xing Jun became more popular, cos in some contexts, the folks believed that Ming Empire was somehow closely connected with him.

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 Pong Phia (大碰餅)
7 Rice Wine (米酒)
8 Chinese Tea (茶)
9 Paper Offerings (紙料)
10 Candles (蠟燭)

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

1st, pay respect to the Heaven & Main Deities in the Temple and then last, proceed to the Altar that honoured Tai Yang Xing Jun.

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 Tai Yang Xing Jun, can recite it first before reciting the following Passage or recite the following Praising Phrases):

太陽太陽。去陰現陽。
Tai Yang Tai Yang.Qu Yin Xian Yang

寒不侵心。邪不擾身。
Han Bu Qin Xin.Xie Bu Rao Shen

剛以伏柔。柔中生剛。
Gang Yi Fu Rou.Rou Zhong Sheng Gang

陰陽相互。百福臻生。
Yin Yang Xiang Hu.Bai Fu Zhen Sheng

志心皈禮。太陽聖真。
Zhi Xin Gui Li.Tai Yang Sheng Zhen

今逢。
Jin Feng.

太陽星君。(拜)
Tai Yang Xing 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.

太陽星君。(拜)
Tai Yang Xing 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.

太陽星君。(拜)
Tai Yang Xing Jun (Bow)

太康太健太安天。陽光普照九重地。
Tai Kang Tai Jian Tai An Tian.Yang Guang Pu Zhao Jiu Chong Di

星宿移動又一春。君誕案前祝壽綿。
Xing Xiu Yi Dong You Yi Chun.Jun Dan An Qian Zhu Shou Mian

以佑。
Yi You.

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

一年貴助常在。月月陽極陰埋。
Yi Nian Gui Zhu Chang Zai. Yue Yue Yang Ji Yin Mai.

四季神光普照。萬事遂心平安。
Si Ji Shen Guang Pu Zhao. Wan Shi Sui Xin Ping An.

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.

太陽星君。(拜)
Tai Yang Xing 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 Tai Yang Xing Jun is considered end.

So where can we find Tai Yang Xing Jun in Singapore?

Here are a few Temples that Oneself can visit to honour Tai Yang Xing Jun:

1 Tai Yang Gong (龜仔山太陽宮) at Silat Road (along Bukit Merah Road)

2 Wan Shou Shan Guan Yin Tang (萬壽山觀音堂) at Telok Blangah Height infront of Blk 54 (Biggest Statue in Singapore)

3 Tai Yang Gong (太陽宮) at Bedok North Ave 4

4 Dong Tian Gong (東天宮) at Bukit Batok Street 21

In the following are some extra information related to Tai Yang Xing Jun:

PS: Tai Yang Xing Jun Bao Gao:

http://javewu.multiply.com/photos/album/268

Poster of Tai Yang Xing Jun:

http://javewu.multiply.com/photos/album/46

Tai Yang Xing Jun Taoist Scripture:

http://javewu.multiply.com/journal/item/143

Introduction on the White & Red Rites & Rituals (紅白囍事簡介)

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Other

Recently, our Local TV Station had come out with a new Drama Series on the White & Red Rites & Rituals – known as The New Beginnings. After watching, a lot of people had approached me on whether the Rites & Rituals being introduced in the Drama Series are “True” or not. After getting their enquiries, I was quite surprised to know that a lot of our own Chinese Fellow Friends actually don’t really know much of our own Root Culture & Customs. This really makes a lot of people “heart-shake with pain”.

First of all, I must said that our Local TV Station had done a great job on the producing of such a Drama Series on the theme of White & Red Rites & Rituals (showing the Difficulties that the People faces in the Job and also during the assisting of the related Families of the Pass-on or New Married Couples, etc) and another thing is that, the Title of this Show is really Wonderful and Straight to the Point – the New Beginnings. Cos in Taoism, there aren’t any Ending instead a lot of New Beginnings.

Till now, for those who have yet to make yourself clear on what are White & Red Rites & Rituals, in here, Jave will like to explain to you on what they are:

1 White Rites & Rituals, meaning the Pre-preparation for Pass-on (Death), Funeral Wakes & also the Post Events after Funerals (in Taoism will be until 3 Years)

2 Red Rites & Rituals, meaning Giving Birth, Wedding, Birthday Celebration, etc.

Due to Drama Series had a lot of Restrictions & Constraints, so from what know on the Drama Series - The New Beginnings, the Show won’t be going in-depth into the Individual types of Rites & Rituals and so in here, Jave had to be a nosey-poker to do the Brief intro on them.

Why in Chinese, we address White Rites & Rituals is also considered as Happiness Occasion?

For those who don’t know, actually in Taoism or Chinese Culture, Passing-on is a form of Ceasing or Ending of Suffering in the Mortal Realm. Besides that, in Taoism, we believed that being Born into this Mortal Realm, it is just a Temporary Stop for our Souls. And so, after Passing-on (crude word to use will be Death), actually we are Proceeding to the Next Stage or into the Other Realms and so, it is indeed a Joyous Event to Celebration – which is known as Happiness.

And this is also why, in Taoism, we tend to use the Term Passing-on (過往) and not Dying for a Taoist, cos what we facing is just a form of Transition, if the Passing-on to the Next Stage is a Good one, it shall not be known as Death or Dying.

PS: In the Show, many times, the Storyline actually teaches us not to be too afraid/stress while facing the Passing-on, which this is a very Good & Positive. Even though at sometimes, it is hard for us to suppress our Sadness towards the departure of our Love Ones, but still, we need to learn to accept it, if not, more issues will arise in the future, such as Physically Weak, Mentally Disorder, etc.

So in Taoism & Chinese Culture, what are the White Rites & Rituals involved?

A lot of People had mistaken that the White Rites & Rituals are only mend for the Passing-on, actually this is Wrong.

White Rites & Rituals usually started after a person celebrate his/her 60 Lunar Years Old Birthday (甲子花年).

After 60 Years Old, a person will start to look for the Best fitting Shou Yi (Shroud Clothing 壽衣), Best Location for the Burying/Ash-placing After Passing-on. For some People, they will also immediately buy an Ash-placing Position for him/herself as a form of Symbolising of the Prolonging of Life (長生祿位).

And on the Day of the Passing-on, Descendants will need to do preparation for the Funeral Wakes, such as getting the Pass-on to rest well in the chosen Coffin aka Shou Ban (壽板), engaging Religious Masters to conduct the Salvation Rituals or the Leading of Soul to the Source Ceremonies, etc.

On the 1st 7th Day after the Funeral Wake, Descendants had to observe on the Returning of the Soul of the Pass-on. And on the 49 Days/100 Days, Religious Masters had to be engaged to usher the Soul to Ascend onto the Main Altar at Home for the Life-time Honouring by the Descendants.

For some Families, on the 1st Year after the Passing-on, the Descendants will engaged Religious Masters to conduct an Official Ritual for the Pass-on as in to replenish whatever is being left out during the Funeral Wakes. After then, on the 3rd Year, another Ritual will be conducted to initialise that the 3 Years Mourning is completed (三年解孝).

For Chinese, due to Thoughts & Practise of Filial Piety and Returning Gratitude, honouring of Ancestors is a very Important & a MUST-DO action. This does not only show how much we Love our Love-Ones, this is also a form of Cultivation for Oneself on Patience, Caring & Sensitiveness.

In Chinese, how many Types of Red Rites & Rituals are there?

Due to Time has changed and everyone seems to drift off from our Own Root, many such Practises had been forgotten by a lot of People.

In the Past, when we talked about Red Issues, Old People were be able to list out a long list for you but nowadays, People will only remember those Red Issues that needed them to come out with Red Packet aka Ang Bao (賀禮紅包).

In here, Jave will list out the Major Five Red Issues that we celebrate in the Modern Era:

1 Giving Birth (誕)
2 Getting Married (婚)
3 Lunar Birthday Celebration (壽)
4 Moving into New House (遷)
5 Getting Promoted, Opening of own Business or Graduated (昇)

During the Birth Red Rites & Rituals (誕), for Taoists, after a Lady is being confirmed with Pregnancy, Honouring of the Bedroom Deities must be carried out every Month/certain Occasions. This is to request for the Blessing for the Baby and also the Safety of the Pregnant Woman. After the Baby is born, for the 1st month, the Baby shall not leave the room un-necessarily, this is not only to prevent the Baby from contacting any un-necessary Entities around, but also due to Health-issue (new born Babies tend to be weaker and easily be affected by the surrounding germs & viruses). On the Full Month (30 Days 滿月), Parent will invite Relatives & Friends to home/etc for the Celebration of the Arrival of the New Born Baby (in the past, people only celebrate on the 40th Day). On the Full Month Day, the New Born Baby must honoured the Ancestors, this is to inform the Ancestors that there is another new Member in the Family and also, to request Blessing from them for the Baby. After 1 year, Parent will also invite Relatives & Friends to home/etc for the celebration of the Baby 1st Birthday in this Mortal Realm. The purpose of doing so is to allow the Baby to get the Blessing from the Big Crowd, in-order to Prolong the Age and also, to train the Braveness of the Baby. Taboo for New Born Babies will be, going into Temples before the Age of 3.

For Wedding Rites & Rituals, for those who are interested, actually you all can refer to Jave’s Old postings (in multiply web) or watch the Drama Series of The New Beginnings, I’m sure you will be able to learn something from there.

During the Celebration of Lunar Birthdays, People shall avoid wearing Black & Blue. Try to wear Bright colors like Red, Orange, Purple, Yellow or Flowery apparel. This will assist in boosting the Prosperity Luck for the Next 1 Year and also, this will assist in gaining the necessary attention of the Deities in the other Spiritual Realms. On the Day of the Lunar Birthday, Oneself shall honoured the Deities & Ancestors 1st, especially those whose Mother had pass-on. This is an Important Day for the Remembrance of One’s Mother and also, to return One’s Gratitude to her.

For Moving in New House Pre & Post Rites & Rituals, for those who are interested, you all can also refer to my Old postings.

Last, the Rites & Rituals for Promoted, Opening of own Business or Graduated, this can considered Rare but in the Ancient Era, this can considered as One of the Most Important Practises. On the Day of Oneself’s Promotion, Opening of New Business or Graduated – this represent a New Life of a Person (the 2nd Reborn), Oneself will need to do a Spiritual Reporting at Cheng Huang Temple (City Deity 城隍尊神). Why this is needed to be done? This action is to make sure that in the Spiritual Realms, your Name is being recorded and in the future, if any mishaps will to happen, Cheng Huang will be able to assist you in doing the tracking on the mishaps like who caused it, who are involved, etc. For People who have Graduated, besides Honouring Cheng Huang, Oneself shall also honoured Wen Chang (文昌帝君) & Kui Xing (魁星帝君). This is to Thank them for the Blessing and looking-after through-out the Study Years.

Last of ALL, just an Advise. Do treasure our Own Root Culture and possible, practice them before they are Gone. Preserve such Cultures are easy, need not need much Energy, just do it when the Time needed them. Slowly, such Cultures will exist with you in & out in Everyday Life. Remember this, once these Cultures are gone, it is the same as losing our Love-Ones, forever no choice of meeting them anymore.

Manifestation Anniversary of Heavenly Marshal Zhao Gong Ming (庚寅年趙公明天君之聖誕吉慶)

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Other

A year had passed so fast and soon again, the Manifestation Anniversary of Heavenly Marshal Zhao Gong Ming (趙公明天君) aka Deity of Military Wealth, will be here again.

On next Wednesday, which will be 28 Apr 2010 - 15th Day of Lunar 3 Month (農曆三月十五日), it will be the Celebration for the Manifestation of Heavenly Marshal Zhao Gong Ming.

For those who are interested in Paying your Respect to him, you can visit any Temples (all over the World) that dedicate Altars to him.

Remember, do not request any Un-necessary stuffs from him, cos even though Heavenly Marshal Zhao is considered as Deity of Military Wealth, he is not a Deity that will distribute the Wealth Un-necessarily if Oneself’s Credits or Merits are not Enough, etc.

So what to prepare for the Honouring?

Oneself can just prepare 1 set of Taoist Five Offerings (道教五供 Link: http://javewu.multiply.com/journal/item/131), 3 stacks of Tian Gong Jin (天公金), 3 stacks of San Bao Jin/Shou Jin (三寶金/壽金), 3 pieces of Black Paper Robes (黑紙袍) and 1 piece of Hu Qian (虎錢).

In here, this is the 1st Time that Jave is introducing this Hu Qian to all.

Hu Qian aka Tiger Money Paper, a type of Traditional Paper Offering used in the Southern China aka Min Nan Area (中國閩南地區) for the honouring of Heavenly Marshal Zhao Gong Ming. It can come in Triangular form (as shown below) or in Long Rectangular form like those Da Gui Ren Paper (大貴人紙).

And so coincidence that this Year is the Year of Tiger (虎年), you all can try to download it and print it on a Yellow Paper for the Day of Honouring.

So what does Hu Qian represent?

In Hokkien Dialect, Tiger aka Hu got the same Pronouciation as Giving, which is Hor (給) and so, in the Southern Part of the China, the Taoists/Chinese hoping that by Offering this Tiger Money to Heavenly Marshal Zhao, in return, Zhao Gong Ming will be able to HOR the Money back to them after the paying respect.

And this was how Hu Qian came about and being pass-down Generation by Generation.

Last of All, during the Honouring, be Sincere & Faithful, once your Luck-period is right, your Blessing from Heavenly Zhao Gong Ming will be there.

Hometown & Tomb of Heavenly Marshal Zhao Gong Ming (趙公明天君故鄉與陵墓)

In here, you all will be seeing a series of 5 pictures of the Hometown & Tomb of Heavenly Marshal Zhao Gong Ming aka Deity of Military Wealth (武財神).

Due to Zhao Gong Ming appeared in the Classic Feng Shen Bang (封神榜) aka Creation of Deities, a lot of People tend to mistaken that he was just a Myth-made Character, to be more accurate, he was not.

According to Records, Zhao Gong Ming was born in the Western Zhou Dynasty (西周), hometown in Shan Xi Province Xi An City Zhou Zhi County Ji Xiang Area Zhao Da Village (出生和羽化均在陕西省西安市周至县集贤镇赵大村). Which was about 50km from the Central of Xi An City (near Mountain Zhong Nan 近終南山).

In Ming Dynasty, an Ancestral Temple was built in the Village dedicating to Zhao Gong Ming and after then, went thru several Wars & Revolution and now, the Temple was renovated and open to the Public.

Inside the Ancestral Temple, Oneself can see a Big Statue dedicated to Zhao Gong Ming on the Main Hall and at the back of the Temple, you will see a Big Tomb where Zhao Gong Ming was buried.

For those who wished to pay your respect to Zhao Gong Ming, next round when you are in Xi An, remember to travel to Zhao Da Village, you might find something Special in there.

For Higher Res Pictures, please proceed to this link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/taoism_deity_singapore_2007/photos/album/752760236/pic/list

Introduction on the Dipper Lamp aka Dou Deng/Shou (道教斗燈/斗首之簡介)

In here, Jave will like to make a brief introduction on the Dipper Lamp, in Chinese known as Dou Deng (斗燈) or Dou Shou (斗首).

I’m sure that many People have come across this but in actual fact, not much People know about the Major Purpose of the Usage of Dou Deng.

In Taoist Rituals/Ceremonies, usually such Dou Deng will be Enhanced or Lighted during the Major Ritual on the Honouring of Dou Mu (斗母元君) & Lords of the Northern Dippers (北斗九皇賜福星君). The Main Purpose of the Enhancing & Lighting of the Dou Deng was to request for Eliminating of Excess Sins & Debts (消災解厄) and also, to request for the Prolonging of One’s Parents’ Life (延生長壽).

In Taoism, there are also quite a few different Rituals/Ceremonies that needed such Dou Deng, such Rituals are known as

1 Lunar New Year Luck Blessing (新春祈福禮斗)
2 Scholar Knowledge Blessing (文昌長智禮斗)
3 Business Enhancing Blessing (生意通順禮斗)
4 etc

During the Enhancing or Lighting of such Dou Deng, Official & Trained Taoist Priests/Masters must be engaged. Before the Dou Deng was being Enhanced or Lighted, the Priests/Masters were requested for One’s Chinese Name, DOB & Residential Address, in-order for them to do the Official Spiritual Reporting to the Celestial Realms and Deities for Inspection.

Due to Commercialization & Money-making-factors, many other Non Taoist Groups or Faiths are performing such Rituals/Ceremonies for Devotees, which I can said that, this is a form of Distorting our Taoist Culture. For those who understand the Real Origin of such Dipper Lamps, please do not get conned by those Non Taoist People whom performed the Blessing for you. Cos usually, the result that in-return can be serious or fatal.

Ok, back to the Ritual/Ceremony on the Enhancing of the Dou Deng. Once the Particulars were being recorded, the Priests/Masters were found a good Day to perform the Ritual. On the Day, a 30 minutes Taoist Ritual known as Kai Dou (開斗科儀) will be conducted. In the Ritual, the Priests/Masters were Invite the Necessary Associated Deities to witness the Ritual and also, Reports will be made to them in-order for the Requesting of Blessing.

Due to nowadays, many People are not aware of this Kai Dou and lesser Trained Priests are being trained on such a Ritual, during Temple Celebrations, seldom Priests/Masters will performed the Kai Dou for them. So for those who know, please do request for the Ritual to be conducted, as a Dou Deng can considered very Important to a Temple or Group and if this is not being conducted well, the next 3 years, a lot of issues will be affected.

In the Ritual, the various Spiritual Items that can be found on the Dou Deng will be enhanced and after enhancing, the Spiritual Items will be used to bless on Individual Devotees before it is being placed into the Dipper Lamp Holder. Just before the Ritual ends, the Priests/Masters will invite/enhance the Last Item in the Dou Deng – which is the Spiritual Fire (丙丁火), for the Blessing of Brightness & also Requesting for Longevity (光明延壽).

Once this is done, the whole Ritual will considered as Smoothly Conducted.

Remember, once the Dipper Lamp is being Enhanced or Lighted, it shall not be Blown-off or Kept. This Dipper Lamp must be well maintained as long as possible.

Last of All, hope that more People can aware of such Culture & Practises and do not get conned.

Pictures of Hokkien Province Pu Tian City Tong Shan Temple (中國莆田市銅山宮)

In here, you all will be seeing a group of 11 photos taken on the Tong Shan Temple – dedicated to Bao Sheng Da Di Wu Tao (保生大帝吳本) – the Medical Deity (道教醫神).

This Temple was situated in China Hokkien Pu Tian City Yue Tang County Pan Village (莆田月塘乡东潘村).

As you can see in the pictures, most of the Deities are closely related to the ”Heng Hwa” Culture.

Hope you all enjoyed the Pictures.

For Higher Res Pictures, please proceed to this link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/taoism_deity_singapore_2007/photos/album/379876681/pic/list

Reference Book Recommendation: Right Way of Honouring (拜對真靈:拜拜入門)

Category:	Books
Price:	S$12.70 - S$20.00

For those who are interested in knowing more on the ways of Taoist Honouring, in here, you will find a good guide on the methods of how to do preparation for an Official Honouring.

In this Book, you will be able to see Clear, Simple and Easy ways of doing preparation for various Celebrations & Festivals, besides that, different types of Paper Offerings are being introduced too.

This Book was published in Taiwan by Classic Publisher (京典出版).

In Singapore, this Book is almost out of stock, for those who are keen in getting it, you may wished approach any Kinokuniya Bookstore to make your order.

The Cost of the Book is S$12.70 - S$20.00.

Honouring of Xuan Tian Shang Di at Yue Hai Qing Temple (粵海清廟玄天上帝聖壽祭祀)

On 3rd Day of Lunar 3 Month, Vabien Lee, Donnie Tay and I visited Yue Hai Qing Temple (粵海清廟) to pay respect to Xuan Tian Shang Di (玄天上帝) after the Anniversary Ceremony conducted at Donnie's House.

In here, are some casual Pictures that we took outside the Temple while waiting for the Teochew Opera to start.

Sembawang Tian Ho Keng Ma Zu Celebration 2010 (新加坡三巴旺天后宫媽祖華誕祭祀活動)

Start:	May 4, '10 11:00p
End:	May 9, '10 11:00p
Location:	Singapore, Sembawang

Dear All,

Sembawang Tian Hou Temple, dedicating to Ma Zu (天上聖母媽祖), will be having a 6 Days Celebration at the Temple compound starting from 04 May till 09 May (Address: No.24 ADMIRALTY STREET SINGAPORE 757612).

For those who are interested, please do drop by to join in this Joyous Celebration dedicating to our Dearest Lady Immortal in Taoism.

Itinerary:

04 May - 11.00Pm Priests conducting Ushering Ceremony for Deities

05 May - Honouring of Ma Zu & Hokkien Opera Performance

06 May - Actual Day of the Honouring of Ma Zu (Whole Day Event)

07 May - Honouring of Ma Zu & Hokkien Opera Performance

08 May - Honouring of Ma Zu & Hokkien Opera Performance

09 May - - Honouring of Ma Zu & Ge Tai Entertainment Program

More info, please proceed to Tian Hou Temple website: http://sbwthk.blogspot.com/

Yue Hai Qing Temple Annual Celebration for Xuan Tian (粵海清廟玄天上帝聖誕祭祀活動)

Start:	Apr 16, '10 08:00a
End:	Apr 16, '10 10:00p
Location:	Singapore, CBD, Phillip Street

Dear All,

Yue Hai Qing Temple located at Singapore CBD area will be having Celebration dedicating to Xuan Tian Shang Di (玄天上帝) on this coming Friday (16 Apr) & Saturday (17 Apr).

For those who wished to pay your respect to Xuan Tian Shang Di, remember to drop by the Temple when you are free.

Donnie Tay, the 7th Disciple of Long Shan Men (正一龍山門) will be contributing 120 copies of the Xuan Tian Shang Di Pictorial Story Book to Yue Hai Qing Temple, for those who are interested, can drop by to get a copy.

Hope to see you there.