The Gold Goodness Temple - Jindeyuan

Chanting or reciting of Amitabha Buddha’s name, 阿彌陀佛 A Mi Tuo Fo (Hokkian: O Mi To Hud), is a very common practice among the Buddhist. In fact, it would be odd for one who is not familiar with it. Most could even recite quickly and smoothly. However, only minority understand the real meaning of the name A Mi Tuo Fo.

A Mi Tuo Fo reigns over a Buddha land in the West called The Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss. In Sanskrit, A Mi Tuo Fo literally means Buddha of Infinite Light and Boundless Life, which is referred to Wu Liang Guang Fo (Buddha of Infinite Light) and Wu Shu Shou Fo (Buddha of Boundless Life). Amitabha Buddha’s birthday falls on the 17 th of 11 th month of lunar calendar.

In most Buddhist temple like 金德院 Kim Tek Ie, Amitabha Buddha is seen seated next to Sakyamuni Buddha ( 釋迦牟尼佛Shi Jia Mou Ni Fo, Hokkian: Sek Ka Mo Ni Hud), and Bhaisajya Guru Buddha or Medicine Buddha ( 藥師佛Yao Shi Fo, Hokkian: Yok Su Hud). Hence, they are popularly known as the Three Precious Buddhas, 三寶佛 San Bao Fo (Sam Po Hud) or Tri Ratna Buddha.

As we have known that the Threefold Refuge in Buddhism are the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Buddha is a one that has attained Perfect Enlightenment, Dharma is the Buddha’s precious teaching, and Sangha is the holy brotherhood or relationship that bonds fellow Buddhist monks. In Mandarin, the Buddha is referred as 佛寳Fo Bao, the Dharma as 法寶Fa Bao, and the Sangha as 僧寳Seng Bao. All Three are known as 三寶San Bao (Sanskrit: Tri Ratna). This San Bao is also categorized with Sakyamuni Budhha as Fo Bao, Amitabha Buddha as Fa Bao, and Baisajya Guru Buddha as Seng Bao.

It is recorded in a Buddhist script that many kalpas ago, a King by the name of FaChang Bi Qiu renounced his throne, and became a monk named Dharmakarsa, upon receiving spiritual guidance from the Buddha at that time, Lokesvaraja Buddha, who expounded the Perfect Enlighten Path since ages ago. Dharmakarsa then took and upheld the 48 vows to deliver beings from their sufferings. After 5 kalpas of lifetime, Dharmakarsa finally attained Perfect Enlightenment, and became Amitabha Buddha.

Upon attaining Buddhahood, Amitabha Buddha created a Western Pure Land called the Land of Ultimate Bliss where all suffering beings who sincerely recite 南無阿彌陀佛 NanWu A Mi Duo Fo (Sanskrit: Namo Amitabha Buddha) which means “I sincerely take refuge in Amitabha Buddha”, will all be delivered to and gain rebirth in His Pure Land.

However, it takes more than just reciting and praying to the Buddha to be reborn in His Pure Land. It is written in Amitabha Sutra (A Mi Tuo Jing) that if one does not have a kind and compassionate heart in helping others or involve much in charitable act, no matter how many times he/she recite or pray will not guarantee a rebirth in the Western Pure Land. What matters most are how sincere and often we pray to the Buddha, and the kind deeds that we perform in accordance to our limitation.

Along side with 觀世音菩薩 Guan Shi Yin Phu Sa and 大勢至菩薩 Da Shi Zhi Pu Sa, representing compassion and wisdom, they are famously known as 西方三聖 Xi Fang San Sheng, the Three Gems/Jewels from the West.

Formerly, China was an agrarian country, namely most of its population are farmers. When they planted agricultural crops, they ought to take into account and understand the climate change. Thereby they could understand when they should plant a type of agricultural plant, so that it could produce good harvest.

In the past, people in China divided 1 year into 24 節氣 Jie Qi (a day stating a part of 24 parts of Solar Year in Chinese calendar /Imlek). Based on each Jie Qi, to plant a type of agricultural crops, so that such crops could grow luxuriantly, then it produced produces. Then, farmers’ family greatly prioritized this Jie Qi.

The origin of 冬至 Dong Zhi {Hok Kian =Tang Cueh, the 22 nd of 24 Jie Qi. Literal meaning = the peak of Winter} was as follows:

An early part of half month was 大雪 Da Xue (the 21 st of 24 Jie Qi, literal meaning = Big Snow), then the last past of half month was 小寒 Xiao Han (the 23 rd of 24 Jie Qi, literal meaning = Small/Light Cold). Dong Zhi Day fell on the 11 th month of Chinese calendar (Imlek), but there was no definite date on it. Sometimes fell in the 10 first days in the 11 th month of Chinese calendar, sometimes on the last 10 days in this 11 th month (Chinese calendar). But based on calculation of almanac, Dong Zhi was usually fell on the 22 nd day or the 23 rd day of December Anno Domini.

Based on explanation of Astronomy, the revolution of Sun when it reached this Dong Zhi period, accidentally passed 冬至點 Dong Zhi Dian (Peak Point of Winter). Then, Northern Hemisphere & Southern Hemisphere had a very great different; in Northern Hemisphere daylight was shorter than nighttime, while in the Southern Hemisphere daylight was longer than night.

There was an ancient Chinese Book entitles 周禮 Zhou Li , whose contents were written: [at the time of Dong Zhi; daylight = 40 Lou Khe, nighttime = 60 Lou Khe , while at the time of 夏至 Xia Zhi (Peak of Suimmer), 春分 Chun Fen (Spring), 秋分 Qiu Fen (autumn), are otherwise, namely daylight = nighttime = 50 Lou Khe ].

In the past, Lou Khe counted his time by using a device (Klepsidra = a time measuring tool pursuant to the fall of the flow of water) that was perhaps invested by Emperor 黃帝 Huang Di .

Lou Khe was to use a copper kettle containing with water, in the bottom was made a tiny hole, when in the kettle was put an arrow, on the arrow was engraved (cut) number of degree; flowing water was getting lower and lower, number of degree also decreased, on the arrow amounting to 100 Khe, water clock precisely indicated 1 period of daylight and & nighttime, the time is so accurate.

1 (one) Khe is equal to 15 minutes in current time. In the past, 1 (one) Khe was 14 minutes and 24 second. It is the difference between Solar Calendar (Christian Calendar) and Chinese Calendar/Imlek (Chinese traditional calendar that sometime is also called Farmer’s Calendar).

Most of employees & students use Christian Calendar, only farmers who still use Chinese calendar. But, Chinese people in performing marriage ceremony or mourning ceremony, still often seek for Good Day (Hari Baik) of Chinese calendar.

In this Dong Zhi day, Chinese people make onde-onde (round fried cake made of glutinous rice with/without stuffing inside which is eaten/ served with dressing) for worshipping to the ancestors. In addition to, considering after eating onde-onde, meaning that to have included passing 1 year, and everyone has had age for 1 year.