Taiwan Drama Series on Xie Bi An & Fan Wu Jiu (戲說台灣之七爺斗八爺)

Upon request, here's a Taiwanese Drama Series on Xie Bi An (謝必安) & Fan Wu Jiu (范無咎), the 2 assistants of Lord Cheng Huang (城隍尊神).

In this show, you all will be seeing how the 2 assistants "battle" with each other in order to "assist" the Mortals.

Manifestation Anniversary of Heavenly Marshal Wang Ling Guan 2012 (壬辰年王靈官聖誕吉慶)

On 15th Day of Lunar 6 Month (農曆六月十五日) is considered as the Manifestation Anniversary of Heavenly Marshal Wang Ling Guan (王天君/靈官).

For Year 2012, it falls on 02 Aug (a Thursday).

In Taoism, Wang Ling Guan holds quite an Important Role.

During Rituals/Ceremonies, Wang Ling Guan will be invited in-order to do Inspection/Guarding for the Overall Event. Besides that, he is also the One who carried out "Punishment" if a Taoist make Serious Mistakes or Distorted the Teaching of Taoism.

More Info on Wang Ling Guan:

1) http://javewu.multiply.com/reviews/item/201

2) http://javewu.multiply.com/photos/album/307

3) http://javewu.multiply.com/photos/album/70

For Higher Res Picture, please proceed to this link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/taoism_deity_singapore_2007/photos/album/1291838781/pic/list

LSM honouring Maiden Huang 2012 (壬辰年南洋黃姑娘誕辰祭祀)

It’s a wonderful & touching experience for LSM (正一龍山門) to have conducted a simple honouring dedicated to Maiden Huang aka Huang Gu Niang (南洋黃姑娘), a day before her Birthday.

On the 11th Day of Lunar 6 Month (農曆荔月十一日), 29 July, a Sunday, Vabien & Royce had accompany Jave to Hospital Drive, located along Jalan Bukit Merah to pay our respect to Huang Gu Niang, celebrating her birthday a day earlier.

Upon arrival, not much passer-bys were there and so, we started our honouring by laying out the Offerings on the Custom-made Stainless-stain Altar. Once we were ready, Vabien & Royce had lighted the Incenses and waiting for Jave to lead the Honouring.

With a simple Reporting to the Earth Deity and Inviting of Huang Gu Niang, we offered our respect with 3 sincere bows and last, offering the Incenses.

Just as Vabien & Royce were preparing to burn off the Papers, a few strange sounds & noises were heard, but we didn’t really get affected by them, cos we knew that these were signals from the “Spiritual Beings”.

Before we round off the Honouring, Jave offered the last round of Incenses to Huang Gu Niang asking for her permission to allow LSM to promote her further/to more people and a “Green light” was given.

Thanks to Huang Gu Niang for the approval & also a very wonderful Blessing to Royce.

Last but not least, to all our local Taoists & Chinese, it’s time for us to promote our very own Local Deities and giving them Recognitions.

More info on Huang Gu Niang: http://javewu.multiply.com/photos/album/983/983

PS:

1 – Million Thanks to Vabien & Royce for sharing with us the pictures

2 – LSM will be honouring our very own Singapore’s Deity of City aka Cheng Huang (城隍尊神) in the upcoming months, do stay-tune for it

Making of Spiritual Whip - Huat Soh (道教法索製作)

People had been requesting me to do a write up on Huat Soh aka Taoist Spiritual Whip, due to I was busy with other tasks, for the moment, I can only share a little bit on it.

In here, you all will be seeing the Original type of Material that is being used to make Huat Soh, this Material will actually a type of Plant, known as Ning Ma (苧麻) aka Boehmeria Nivea and other than Ning Ma, no other Materials are considered the BEST material for the making of Huat Soh.

In Spiritual Context, Ning Ma is a type of Plant that will emit our Heat & Positive Energy aka Yang Qi, after it's being enhanced.

Due to commercialize & lack of knowledge, a lot of people had stop using Ning Ma rather using the normal Ma (麻) that used for making the Mourning Clothing (孝服) to make Huat Soh, which is not accurate.

PS: stay-tune for more info on Huat Soh

Taiwan Fu Cheng Huang Temple conducting Li Dou on Tian Kuang Day 2012 (壬辰年臺北府城隍廟年中開運大法會)

Upon request, in here, Jave will share a set of pictures that were being shared by Taiwan High Priest Master Li Xuan Zheng (李玄正道長) on the Ritual of Honouring the Northern Dipper Lords (禮斗祈福) on the 6th Day of Lunar 6 Month (農曆六月初六日) – Tian Kuang Day (天貺日) aka Tian Men Kai (俗稱天門開).

Master Li Xuan Zheng (李玄正道長), one of the famous Taoist Priests in Taiwan and he was also one of the most respectable Priest that Jave respected.

In Taiwan, he can said to be the 1st Taoist Priest that will explain every details of a particular Taoist Ritual to the devotees & public before he conduct the Ritual. To him, this is important as he doesn’t want the devotees or public to just blindly follow the Ritual and at the end of the day, the devotees or public don’t know what are the objectives of the participating in the Ritual or Honouring.

Besides that, Master Li will also use various high tech equipments to enhance in the understanding of the Rituals that he’s conducting; such equipments are Projectors, Laptops, Sound-amplifier, etc. Not only using the high tech equipments, Master Li will also print a number of Taoist Scriptures and distribute out to those who had came to participate in the Ritual, these Scriptures allowed the devotees or public to follow whatever Master Li & other Priests had chanted and also, allowing them to understand more in depth into the hidden meaning of each sentence in the Scriptures. Another good credit is that, Master Li had arranged People to sit in the crowd to guide the devotees & public along during the whole Ritual on the Chanting.

As for the Items/Spiritual Objects that Master Li had used for the various Rituals that he had conducted were all prepared accordingly to our most Traditional & Official Taoist ways or, shall said, Taoist Skills that being imparted down generation by generation, this is one thing that in Singapore, we will never ever had a chance to see or when someone is there doing, those “busybodies” will comment that ALL these ARE NEWLY CREATED SKILLS.

Last of All, in order for Taoism in Singapore to succeed and improve, we have to make a lot of changes & guidance to the Taoists & also, the Public. Certain unnecessary practices shall be eliminated and Proper Imparting of Taoist Skills & Teaching must be made; such as what is the Taoist Five Offerings, What type of Taoist Robes must be worn in what Rituals/Ceremonies, etc. If not, within another 5-10 years, Taoism in Singapore will be gone and left over will only be a “Bag of Trash”.

Do enjoy the pictures and feel free to provide Jave with your enquiries and comment.

PS:

Special Thanks to Master Li for sharing with us his pictures and guidance.

His Taiwan Website is at http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/liuk-tw/

Manifestation Anniversary of Master Liu Hai Chan 2012 (壬辰年劉海蟾祖師聖誕吉慶)

On 10th Day of Lunar 6 Month (農曆六月初十日), it is considered as the Manifestation Anniversary of Taoist Master Liu Hai Chan (劉海蟾祖師)

For Year 2012, it falls on a Saturday - 28 July.

According to records, Master Liu was born in the Wu Dai Period (五代), which was the ending of Tang Dynasty (唐朝末年) and before the establishment of the Song Dynasty (宋朝之前).

Due to his background, he was being closely associated with Wealth and this was one of the main reasons that Master Liu Hai Chan was being placed in group of the Official Taoist 24 Deities of Wealth (道教廿四財神之一).

And for those who are keen in paying your respect to Master Liu Hai Chan in Singapore, you may wish to visit the Official Temple that dedicate Altar to him, in the following is one of theTemples that oneself can visit:

1) Bi Shan Gu Miao (碧山古廟), situated in Peck San Theng (碧山亭), the Cantonese Columbarium located at 50 Kampong San Teng 576498

For those who are interested, can proceed to the following link to take a look at the picture:

http://juin987.multiply.com/photos/album/106/106#photo=26

Birthday of Maiden Huang 2012 (壬辰年南洋黃姑娘誕辰)

Start:	Jul 30, '12
Location:	Singapore, Jalan Bukit Merah, Hospital Drive

‎12th Day of Lunar 6 Month (農曆六月十二日) is known as the Birthday of Huang Gu Niang (南洋黃姑娘) aka Maiden Ng, our own local Deity that resided in the Old Kampong Silat.

For year 2012, the Birthday of Huang Gu Niang falls on 30th July, a Monday.

Today, we are able to see a small shrine set-up along Hospital Drive (directly opps the Sikh Temple at Jalan Bukit Merah).

For those who are interested in paying respect to Huang Gu Niang, do drop by this weekend at this Hospital Drive.

More info on Huang Gu Niang, please proceed to this link:

http://​javewu.multiply.com/photos/​album/983/983

Entire of Long Shan Men Celebration Tian Kuang Ri 2012 (正一龍山門全體弟子壬辰年天貺日祈福儀式)

On the 24 July 2012 (Tuesday), which is the 6th Day of Lunar 6 Month (農曆六月初六日), in Taoism, this is the Day that known as the 2nd Inspection (出巡三界/校考天下) of Jade Emperor of Heaven (玉皇大天尊) in the Mortal Realm. In Taoism Context, this Day is known as Tian Kuang Ri (天貺日) and in more Commoner’s Belief, it is known as Tian Men Kai (天門開) – Opening of Heavenly’s Gate.

1 week before Tian Kuang Ri, Vabien had coordinated with ALL the Local & Overseas Disciples of Long Shan Men (正一龍山門) to remind them on conducting the Honouring Respect for Tian Kuang Ri. With Delightfulness, on the actual Day, had conducted the Honouring, this includes Long Shan Men branches in Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand & China.

PS: LSM HQ had conducted Honouring for 2 Days, Lunar 6th Day to make Report & Lunar 7th Day to Request for Blessing

In Singapore, the participated Departments are:

1 – Zheng Yi Long Shan Fei Jie Fu (正一龍山飛捷府) – lead by Vabien
2 - Zheng Yi Long Shan Wei Ling Fu (正一龍山威靈府) – lead by Royce

Due to Vabien & Royce had took over the Leadership from Jave, this year, they had conducted Tian Kuang Day Honouring with the Authority of the following Departments;

1 – Long Shan Da Luo Yu Qing Fu (龍山大羅玉清府)
2 – Long Shan Dong Ji Qing Hua Gong (龍山東極青華宮)
3 – Long Shan Jiu Tian Ying Yuan Fu (龍山九天應元府)

And also special thanks to those who have yet to enter into Long Shan Men for their effort in joining in the Honouring. Do keep up the good effort.

Last of All, wishes all having a Good and Prosperity Future.

For High Res Pictures, please proceed to this link:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/taoism_deity_singapore_2007/photos/album/1786341451/pic/list

Tian Kuang Ri - Opening of Heavenly Gate 2012 (壬辰年天貺日-天門開)

In Taoist Culture, every year during the Lunar 6 Month, the Taoist or Chinese will celebrate this important Festival on the 6th Day of Lunar 6 Month (in Year 2012, it falls on 24 July, a Tuesday).

This Day is known as Opening of Heavenly Gate, Tian Men Kai (天門開) or Tian Kuang Ri (天貺日). In Chinese Culture, this Day is also known as Half Year Festival aka Ban Nian Jie (半年節).

In South East Asia, due to the mis-interpretation and misconception, the Opening of Heavenly Gate is being celebrate on the 7th Day of Lunar 6 Month, which is not that Official & Accurate. Recent Years, due to Commercialization, many Folks are using this Opportunity to make Money by holding Un-necessary Events & Blessing Ceremonies, which somehow contribute to Degrading & Distorting of the Culture of Tian Kuang Ri.

According to Chinese History, the Celebration of Tian Kuang Ri aka Tian Men Kai was only being fixed after Song Dynasty (this is a Day that being Bestowed by Song Emperor Zhen Zong 宋真宗祥符四年 on AD 1011, before AD 1011, Tian Men Kai is usually being celebrated on the 1st Day or 15th Day of Lunar 6 Month).

So does Really the Heavenly Gate opened on this Day?

This is just a Myth that the folks believed in, to be more exact, Heavenly Gate does not have the process of Opening or Closing.

In Taoist Context, the "Heavenly Gate" or so-called the Entrance to the Heavenly/Spiritual Realm is located at the Eastern Hemisphere, in between the 2 Stars in the Green Formation (東方青龍角宿二星) - in Western Astrology, these 2 Stars are located in Spica Formation (室女α星). And this is why, during Tian Kuang Ri, when Taoist Priests performed the Sending of Spiritual Petition to the Heavenly Realm, the Taoist Priests will have to step the Dipper-steps towards the Eastern Direction and then conduct the Burning-off the Spiritual Petition facing the East.

In most of the Chinese Myths, Heavenly Gate always being illustrated in the Southern Hemisphere (南天門), which is not Accurate.

So what is the actual meaning of this Tian Kuang Ri aka Tian Men Kai?

According to records and the Objective that being fixed by the Song Empire, actually Tian Kuang Ri is a Day for the Taoists to pay respect to the Heaven and other Deities and also, for Jade Emperor of Heaven (玉皇大天尊) to send his Officials to the Mortal Realm to distribute out the necessary Blessing to the Living Beings according to their Credits and Merits accumulated thru-out the past 6 Months (another Day of such Events will be on the 25th Day of Lunar 12 Month).

Due to this Tian Kuang Ri belief, this is why in our Taoist or Chinese Society, in the Spiritual Theory, we have a Theory of Luck will only changed after every 6 Lunar Months.

Tian Kuang Ri has another meaning of, Heaven gives out the Necessary Gifts/Rewards to the Necessary groups of Beings, such as Sick, Poor, Cultivated People or "Badies (its time for them to Receive the Rewards of what they have Accumulated)".

So how will the Taoists or Chinese Celebrates this Day?

For Taoists, we will visit Temples to pay Respect to Heaven & Jade Emperor of Heaven and then, do certain Chanting or Reciting of Scriptures or Incantations.

For Chinese, they will visit Temples to do requesting of Lucks and also, to do reprimanding of one self Debts, Sins and Evil-doing, once the Reprimanding is done, then they will do another round of Luck-requesting.

For those whose Requests being fulfilled within the 6 Months, they will need to return to the Temple to show their Gratitude to the Heaven or Deities before 25th Day of Lunar 12 Month.

For the Folks, on this Day, they will bring out their Clothing, Paintings, Books or some Valuable-stuffs to do Sun-bathing. Why they do so? Folks believed that by doing the Sun-bathing, the Objects will be blessed by Heaven and all these Objects will be able to last longer.

In the Early Days (in Singapore), Old people who had bought their Shou Yi (壽衣 the Apparel for their Funeral) to keep, on this Day, they would bring out one piece (out of the 7 Layers) to do Sun-bathing. Why they do so? The Old people believed that by doing so, their Age-span would be prolonged by 1-3 years. If they didn’t do that, meaning that on that year, it might be their Last Year staying in this Mortal Realm.

Besides the Sun-bathing for the Items, Taoists will also do Copying of Taoist Scriptures (抄經) at Home. This is the time that Taoists can shows their Respects & Gratitude to the Big Dao.

On this Day, Taoists & Chinese will use Glutinous Rice Powder (Red, White is Forbidden for this Day) to make Sweet Dumplings aka Tang Yuan (湯圓). Consuming of Tang Yuan on this Day is to request for Blessing on Reunion & also for Ushering in New Hopes for the Next 6 Months.

So how can one self Celebrates this Day in this Modern Society?

Its very simple, just get some simple Offerings (as followed) to any Temple. Sincerely pay your respect and I’m sure your Request will be heard by the Heaven.

Here the offerings go:

1) 1 set of 3 Long Incenses (長壽香一副)
2) 1 pair of Red Candles (紅燭一對)
3) 1 set of Fruits (5 Quantity 生果五顆)
4) 1 set of Loose Flowers (鮮花一盤)
5) 1 or 3 set(s) of Tian Gong Jin (Big Josspaper 天公/太極金三疊)
6) 1 or 3 set(s) of Shou Jin (Normal Josspaper 大壽/三寶金三疊)

Upon reaching the Temple, place All the offerings on the Main Altar or at the Jade Emperors Altar, then proceed to the Whole Temple to pay respect to the Other Deities and then return to the Altar where you placed the Offerings, sincerely make a Bow and then Kneel down on the Kneeling-pad and start your Requesting:

1) Start with the Offering of Incense Incantation:

祝香神咒 (Incenses Offering Incantation)

道由心學。心假香傳。
Dao You Xin Xue, Xin Jia Xiang Chuan

香爇玉爐。心存帝前。
Xiang Re Yu Lu, Xin Cun Di Qian

真靈下盼。仙旆臨軒。
Zhen Ling Xia Pan, Xian Pei Lin Xuan

令民關告。逕達九天.。
Ling Min Guan Gao, Jing Da Jiu Tian (Bow 鞠躬)

Then Recite Yu Huang Da Tian Zun's Praise Incantation (玉皇大天尊寶誥)

太上弥罗无上天。妙有玄真境。
Tai Shang Mi Luo Wu Shang Tian. Miao You Xuan Zhen Jing

渺渺紫金阙。太微玉清宮。
Miao Miao Zi Jin Que. Tai Wei Yu Qing Gong

无极无上圣。廓落法光明。
Wu Ji Wu Shang Sheng. Kuo Luo Fa Guang Ming

寂寂浩无宗。玄範总十方。
Ji Ji Hao Wu Zong. Xuan Fan Zong Shi Fang

湛寂真常道。恢漠大神通。
Zhan Ji Zhen Chang Dao. Huo Mo Da Shen Tong

玉皇大天尊。玄穹高上帝。
Yu Huang Da Tian Zun. Xuan Qiong Gao Shang Di (Bow 鞠躬)

2) Report your name and where you stayed
3) Report what is the event Today
4) Report what is your Request (remember to request for those that is possible to fulfill)
5) Once the report is done, sincerely make 3 Bows and then stand-up and place your Incenses into the Urn
6) Make a Bow and leave the Spot
7) After 10 - 15 Minutes, retrieve the Josspapers and proceed to do the Sending-off
8) Once the Burning is done, retrieve the Offerings and then leave the Temple

Remember, once the Request is being fulfilled within the 6 Months, please return to the Temple again to show your Gratitude.

More info on Tian Kuang Ri:

The Eight Predictions: http://javewu.multiply.com/reviews/item/391

Incantations to Recite: http://javewu.multiply.com/reviews/item/390

Temples to visit in Singapore for Tian Kuang Ri:

1) Telok Blangah Tian Gong Temple (新加坡天公廟), located at Telok Blangah Drive, besides Blk 45

2) Yu Huang Dian (玉皇殿), located at Havelock Road

3) Hai Nan Shan Tian Gong Tan (海南山天公壇), located at Upper Thomson Road

Scripture describing the Honouring of Northern Dipper Lords on Lunar 7th Day (太上老君說上七滅罪集福妙經)

Tai Shang Lao Jun Shuo Shang Qi Mie Zhui Ji Fu Miao Jing
(太上老君說上七滅罪集福妙經)

This is a Scripture explained by Tai Shang Lao Jun aka the Supreme Lord, saying that on Shang Qi (上七) - may refer to the 7th Day of Lunar 1st Month (正月初七日) or every Lunar 7th Day of the Month (每月初七日), Mortal shall pay respect to the Great Dipper Lords (北斗七元星君) to gain blessing from them and also, allowing the Dipper Lords to eliminate the Sins & Misfortunes from oneself.

Besides that, oneself shall also practice reflection on this Day in-order to attain a higher level of Cultivation.

A rare Taoist Scripture dedicated to the Star Lords of the Great Northern Dipper (北斗七元星君).

This Scripture was recorded in Taoist Canon, Book 27, Page 157 (收納於《正统道藏》太清部).

撰人不詳，似出於唐宋間。

假託太上老君說念誦北斗七真名號，懺罪消灾請福延生之法。一卷。