The Gold Goodness Temple - Jindeyuan

Photo details:

1. The local Chinese (Buddhist) community gathered around Dharma Bhakti Temple, awaiting anxiously for the arrival of the reign Governor of Jakarta, Sutiyoso, on Sunday 18 Feb 2007 (1 st day of 1 st month of lunar 2558).
2. Reporters and journalists from various media making preparations for the arrival of Governor Sutiyoso.
3. The Governor, along with his wife, Rini Sutiyoso, arriving at the porch of the temple, accompanied by local head official of Tamansari and government officials of Jakarta city.
4. Governor Sutiyoso giving a welcoming speech to the community at the porch of the temple and to the Chinese community that he would disregard the discrimination of the Chinese race, especially in the application of official residence documents.
5. Reporters, journalists, visitors, and the locals hearing attentively to the Governor’s speech.
6. The Governor touring around the temple, observing some historical antiques like the oldest bell in Jakarta and incense pot (hiolo) made in 1825 in Guang Zhou, China.
7. Mrs. Rini Sutiyoso observing the Ciam Si process, shaking a pot of numbered wooden sticks until one falls off onto the ground, in the temple office.
8. The Governor’s wife performing the Ciam Si process in front of Kwan Im Hut Co (Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva) altar, being watched by the temple staff and visitors.
9. Mrs. Rini Sutiyoso tossing the Pua Pwe, a pair of half - rounded
     wooden blocks to confirm the approval number of Ciam Si or
     wooden stick that she gets.
10. A temple staff searching for the Ciam Si paper (with fortune message written on it) that matches the Ciam Si number on the
      wooden stick.
11. Everyone rushing eagerly to shake hand with the Governor.
12. Both the Governor and his wife wishing all present Happy Chinese New Year 2007 by greeting “Kiong Hi” repeatedly.

The farmers & merchants in Taiwan & countries in Southeast Asian (ASEAN), every month at 2 nd & 16 th days of Chinese calendar perform prayer to 福德正神 Hok Tek Cin Sin, in order that their effort & business run smoothly. This prayer ceremony is called 做牙 Zuo Ya {Hok Kian = Cuo Ge}. Performing prayer at 2 nd day of 2 nd month is called 頭牙 Tou Ya {Thao Ge} prayer. Then performing prayer at 16 th day of 12 th month of Chinese calendar is called 末牙 Mo Ya {Be Ge} prayer. Thus, Hok Tek Cin Sin Be Ge means performing prayer to Hok Tek Cin Sin at the end of the year (Chinese calendar), to express thanks for blessings obtained during that year.

Within 1 year this Thao Ge & Be Ge prayer are performed merrily & joyfully. When Hok Tek Cin Sin Be Ge, the merchants also invite their customers (buyers) & employees to attend the party’s dishes and drinks.

The difference of Hok Tek Cin Sin and Tho Tek Kong

In Taiwan & countries in Southeast Asia region usually God of Earth (Dewa Bumi) is called as Hok Tek Cin Sin. In northern China is called 土地爺 Tu Di Ye. In Southern China is called 土地公 Tu Di Gong. In addition to, the people usually differentiate Hok Tek Cin Sin & Tho Tek Kong by manner of the laying down of them.

People usually differentiated by means of its placement. If adored on altar complete with Bun Bo Phoa Koa (Civil and Military Guard) called Fu De Zheng Shen and had broader area of authority not only locally. Meanwhile, if adored below (on the ground) without guard called Tu Di Gong, sometimes accompanied by his wife Tu Di Po (his authority status is just locally).

In all locations, Hok Tek Cin Sin, was displayed in nearly similar form, namely an old man with grey hair and beard and smiling face. Usually Hok Tek Cin Sin was seen grasping a chunk of gold coin in his right hand.

Likewise Seng Hong Ya, Hok Tek Cin Sin has limited term of office. Position of Hok Tek Cin Sin was usually occupied by the people along their live did much goodness and provides a service to the society. After he died, the idol figure of people then was appointed as Hok Tek Cin Sin. Therefore every place has its own Hok Tek Cin Sin.

There was a version said that Hok Tek Cin Sin was Zhang Fu De {Hok Kian = Thio Hok Tek}, someone who has ever lived in Zhou Dynasty era (during Emperor of Zhou Wu Wang Era). Zhang Fu De was born in the year 1134 BC, since his childhood had indicated talent as a smart and kind-hearted person. He occupied the position of the Minister of Tax Collection Affairs of the kingdom. In running his duty, he always acted wisely, and didn’t burden the people, so that people loved him very much. He died at the age of 102 years. His position was replaced by Wei Chao, a greedy and cruel person. The people were suffering very much since Wei Chao didn’t know compassion in collecting taxes. Due unceasing misery, many people left their village, so that many irrigated rice field and un-irrigated rice field that left unattended. In their heart, they considerably longed a wise man like Thio Hok Tek that had died. Then they adored Thio Hok Tek as a place to pray for protection. From this name of Thio Hok Tek then emerged the title of Hok Tek Cin Sin who was considered as the Deity of Earth.

Worship to this God of Earth had very wide area. All over the country, could be said Tu Di Miao (Tu Di Gong Temple) has the biggest quantity both small and big temples. Small Tu Di Miao usually located in villages, in the brink of bunds and even in open courtyard. In the poorest isolated village, Tu Di Gong worship was performed in a broken water pot. That water pot was turned over and from the part of broken wall placed an Tu Di Gong statue, and was considered as a temple!. For that reason, there is a saying the society says: “有屋住大堂，沒屋住破缸” You Wu Zhu Da Tang, Mei Wu Zhu Po Gang , meaning that: If any, a dwelling in a big space, if not, house of broken water pot is Ok! Except special temple, in other temples, usually provided altar of adoration Tu Di Gong as complement.

The peasants considered Hok Tek Cin Sin as their Guardian Angel, the merchants considered had Holy Spirit that brought about the livelihood, and the public saw it as the of Safety Angel. Therefore the anniversary and worship to Hok Tek Cin Sin did many times in a year.

In Chinese language, 如來佛 Ru Lai Fo {Hok Kian = Ji Lay Hud } is a honorary term of address for Buddha Sakyamuni. The term of address Ru Lai is the translation from Sanskrit, Tathagata, meaning He who is coming (Ia Yang Datang).

Buddha Sakyamuni is the Pioneer of Buddhism which is one of 3 (three) big religions in the world with the followers reaching billions of people. Buddha Sakyamuni is a great & noble master of religion, as well as wise and discreet holy man & recognized worldwide.

Ideology & civilization (culture) of Buddhism ordered by Buddha Sakyamuni, was transmitted from a generation to generation, has long been become the important & primary aspect that provides various colors nuance of Eastern World, and has also left perfect and abundant worthy culture for the world history.

釋迦牟尼佛 Buddha Sakyamuni was born in the year of 623 B.C. in a country named Kapilavastu (nearby Nepal) with the name of Sidharta Gautama. Sidharta means: “Someone who succeeds achieving his goal”. Sidharta’s father is King Sudhodana who came from Sakya ethnic group. Because he comes from Sakya ethnic group then he was called a Buddha Sakyamuni. His mother is Queen Mahamaya. Before giving birth of Sidharta, Goddess Mahamaya dreamt of seeing a white elephant entering her uterus. Before he was born as Prince Sidharta, he was actually Maha Bodhisatva who came from the Heaven of Tusita.

The birthday of Buddha Sakyamuni is commemorated in every the 15 th day of the 4 th month of Chinese Calendar. But in temples, it is commemorated at the 8 th day of 4 th month of Chinese Calendar.

When he was born, there was any miracle like recorded in Sakyamuni Buddha Book: at the time of the said baby was born, he walked 7 (seven) steps. Red & golden yellow lotus came out from the earth every time he stepped his feet. In the last step, with his right hand pointed to the heavens & the left hand pointed out to the earth, such baby echoed his voice clearly audible: “It’s me the Greatest in between heavens & earth. I come from the Heavens of Tusita. I come to set forth the secrets of universe & the truth of life, in order to free the creature from the suffering. It is my latest birth in this world!”

That was a Great Bodhisatva has been born through the uterus of kind-hearted and glorious goodness Queen Maha Maya. A week after giving birth the Prince Sidharta, his mother passed away. He was then brought up by his aunt Mahaprajapati.

Prince Sidharta has been married in the age of 16 years with his sister-in-law Princess Yasodhara. They were blessed with a son named Rahula, meaning shackle.

As a Prince, Sidharta enjoyed comfortable, luxury & good life of Palace. King Sudhodana hoped him to take the throne & replace his father as a King. But Prince Sidharta was not accustomed to such kind of luxurious, happy & and high established life.

In the age of 29 years old, he saw 4 matters that then changed his course of life. Firstly, he saw an old person who walked unsteadily by leaning on his stick. Secondly, he saw someone suffering a serious illness. Thirdly, he saw someone to have passed away. Fourthly, he saw a Buddhist monk wearing a yellow robe walked calmly with the face full of serenity. The first three items made the Princes realized the natural law that definitely will be experienced by everybody regardless who they are. The fourth matter indicated the way to overcome world suffering & reached peaceful life.

Such was Prince Sidharta left the palace in the age of 29 years & developed himself with full of sufferings in Uruvela Forest. For six years he developed himself to life as a hermit. Finally, under a Bodhi tree, he obtained a Perfect Explanation in the age of 35 years & from that period he has been called as Buddha Gautama. The day he 成道 reached a perfect Explanation is commemorated in every the 8 th day of 12 th month of Chinese Calendar year.

Then he set forth Dharma for 45 years to his uncountable amount & established Sangha (a holy brotherhood of Buddhist Monks). He was died in the age of 80 years.