The Gold Goodness Temple - Jindeyuan

Among so many gods, if only any selection held through voting: “Which God is loved very much?” Probably財神爺 Cai Shen Ye {Hok Kian = Cai Sin Ya} would be elected by obtaining the majority vote. However, reality of life in this world, human necessities /demands for money /property, would never end forever. Meanwhile, whether Cai Shen could really grant wealth or not, and the existence of God of Wealth himself, more or less could satisfy the fantasy of the masses on wealth.

God of Wealth who was believed in the circle of the common people is various, there are文武財神 Wen Wu Cai Shen {Bun Bu Cai Sin} – God of Civil & Military Wealth, 五路財神 Wu Lu Cai Shen {Ngo Lo Cai Sin} – God of Wealth from Five Streets, 增福財神 Zheng Fu Cai Shen {Tiam Hok Cai Sin} – God of Wealth for Increasing Prosperity, and so on. Tu Di Gong {Tho Tek Kong} – God of Earth was Cai Shen, the most popular among all people.

Cai Sin Ya has a wide area of honor. Worship to Cai Shen, not only at temples, also in the houses of people.

武財神 Wu Cai Shen (God of Military Wealth) are 玄壇元帥趙公明 Xuan Tan Yuan Shuai Zhao Gong Ming and 關公 Guan Gong.

Background of Cai Shen Ye story is several versions. The most famous one is the Story of趙公明 Zhao Gong Ming {Tio Kong Beng} which was written in封神榜 Feng Shen Bang (List of Gods’ Bestowal). It was told in Feng Shen Bang as follows:

Emperor Zhou Wang {Tiu Ong} from Shang Kingdom ordered Wen Zhong {Bun Tiong} his well-known general, to attack Xi Chi, a defending basis of Wen Wang {Bun Ong} troops. To achieve that purpose, Wen Zhong asked for help from 6 sick people to form row formation called Shi Jue Zhen {Si Ciap Tin} – Ten Rows of Destroyers. But姜子牙 Jiang Zi Ya succeeded to destroy 6 of them. Watching his defeat, Wen Zhong asked Zhao Gong Ming’s help which was at that time was living as a hermit at the cave of Lou Fu Dong, E Mei Shan {Go Bi San} Mountain.

Zhao Gong Ming stated his readiness/ willingness to help. When he came down from the mountains, a big tiger attacked. That tiger couldn’t do anything under accusation of his 2 fingers. Then he rode the tiger that was tied its neck with angkin (a kind of cloth). On the forehead of the tiger was stuck a sheet of Hu (amulet letter). Afterward that tiger became his vehicle & surrendered to his instruction.

By riding the tiger, Zhao Gong Ming fought with Jiang Zi Ya. After several steps, Zhao Gong Ming took out his supernatural sharp weapon & beat up Jiang Zi Ya until collapsed & killed. But, Guang Cheng Zi {Kong Sheng Cu} came and then helped Zi Ya so that he lived again. Huang Long Zhen Ren {Wi Liong Cin Jin} got out and fought with Zhao Gong Ming, but he was captured by magic power rope of Zhao Gong Ming. Chi Jing Zi AND Cheng Zi were also knocked down by such hermit with many supernatural powers.

Then Jiang Zi Ya obtained help from Xiao Sheng, a supernatural man from Wu Yi Shan Mountain. All last will and testament from Zhao Gong Ming were grabbed successfully. Since being ashamed, Zhao Gong Ming escaped to San Xian Dao Island (Island of 3 Gods) to meet Yun Xiao Niang Niang, a supernatural female hermit. Zhao Gong Ming borrowed a magic power scissors to Yun Xiao Niang Niang to retake his last will and testament seized by the enemies.

It is found that that magic power scissors were 2 dragons that have changed their appearances, with extraordinary abilities. Many supernatural Gods from the circle of Jiang Zi Ya were cut into 2 parts & killed due to these magic power scissors. Jiang Zi Ya was nervous, his soldiers also became fear. At this critical moment, arrived a Taoist from Gun Lun Shan {Kun Lun San} Mountain named Lu Ya. Lu Ya asked Jiang Zi Ya to create a doll made of grasses. On such grass-made doll body was put a piece of paper written the name of Zhao Gong Ming. In the head & feet of doll were installed a little oil lamp. In the front of the said Zhao Gong Ming doll was performed worship for 21 days consecutively. Jiang Zi Ya, upon advice of Lu Ya, prayed there several days. He kept praying until one day Zhao Gong Ming felt his heart beat, his body was felt uncertain hot-cold. His spirit & energy disappeared. On the 21st day, after washing his hair, Jiang Zi Ya stretched out an arch & directed arrows to the left eye of the said grass-made doll. Zhao Gong Ming who was in the side of Shang troops, suddenly felt his left eye was severe ill & then became blind. The next Jiang Zi Ya’s arrow was aimed at the right eye of Zhao Gong Ming’s doll & the third arrow was aimed at its heart. Finally sick Zhao Gong Ming was killed by the arrow of Jiang Zi Ya.

After Wen Wang successful in destroying Shang Troops & established Zhou, Jiang Zi Ya Dynasties to perform the instructions of their Master in order to inaugurate the angles. Zhao Gong Ming was awarded the title Jin Long Ru Yi Zheng Yi Long Hu Xuan Tan Zhen Jun that in short was called正一玄壇真君 Zheng Yi Xuan Tan Zhen Jun {Ceng It Hian Than Cin Kun}. Xuan Tan Zhen Jun had 4 escorts called 財神使者 Cai Shen Shi Zi, Envoy to God of Wealth, namely:

1. 招寳天尊蕭升Zhao Bao Tian Zun Xiao Sheng (Angle for Calling Magic Jewel)
2. 納珍天尊震寳Na Zhen Tian Zun Zen Bao (Angle for Collecting Valuables)
3. 招財使者陳九公Zhao Chai Shi Zhe Chen Jiu Gong (Wealth Calling Envoy)
4. 利市仙官姚少司Li Shi Xian Guan Yao Shao Si (Official of God of Benefit)

Xuan Tan Zhen Jun together with his 4 escorts were often showed together in the form of picture & called Wu Lu Cai Shen {Ngo Lo Cai Sin} – God of Wealth from Five Streets.

This God of Wealth was often showed as a cruel faced- warlord with complete war attires, 1 hand clutched a sharp weapon & other hand brought a chunk of gold, rode a black tiger. It constituted a description based on such Feng Shen Bang Book.

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Cap Go Me (the 15^th day of first month of Chinese calendar/ Imlek) is the closing in a series of celebrations to welcome Chinese New Year. In Taoism, this celebration is called Shang-yuan to commemorate Se Jit (anniversary) of one of San Guan Da Di, namely Tian Guan. On this day, they hope blessings from Tian Guan (Shang Yuan Tian Guan Ci Fu).

There are various titles for P San Guan Da Di {Hok Kian = Sam Kwan Tay Te},

2. Cit Gwe Cap Go (the 15th day of 7th month of Chinese Calendar) = Zhong Yuan {Hok Kian = Tiong Gwan}

3. Cap Gwe Cap Go (the 15th day of 10th month of Chinese Calendar) = Xia Yuan {Hok Kian = He Gwan}

Emperor Yao [2357 BC – 2258 BC] was an Emperor that was famed for his humbleness & very attentive to the people’s interest. They say, his residence was not a gleaming palace like a king in general, but he preferred to live in a simple house with sago palm (rumbia) roofs & its poles made of common forest tree, unpainted. His meal was rough rice with simple vegetables & his drink was from water source in the mountain. His dresses consisted of rough cloth; if weather was cold he wore additional dress, namely coat made from deer’s fur.

If his people were hit by starvation, the Emperor said: “It’s me who makes you hungry”. If his people suffered from cold due to having no sufficient clothes, Emperor Yao would say: “It’s me who makes all of you cannot have adequate clothes” & if any person in his country made mistake, Emperor Yao would say: “It’s me who makes you fall down into the crime”. Emperor Yao was so virtuous, made all mistakes & miseries of people were considered his own responsibilities.

Therefore, during his government that was lasting nearly 100 (one hundred) years, even though any great dry disaster & horrible flood, the people had never grumbled & remained loving him. Due to his virtue, it is reported in his palace, namely a simple house with sago palm roofs, often arouse a natural phenomenon that constitutes a good indication, such as the appearance of Hong Bird which perched on the roof, grasses provided for the horses suddenly changed into rice, and so on.

In addition to as a wise Emperor, Emperor Yao was also helped by a number of really competent ministers. One of them was a clever minister, namely Shun, who served as a Minister of Education. When he stepped down from the throne, Emperor Yao elected Shun as his successor. Emperor Yao didn’t bequeath his position to his son, since his son was considered incompetent.

Not long afterward, having given birth of Shun, Shun’s mother died. Then Shun’s father got married again. This new wife delivered Xiang, Shun’s step-brother. Shun’s father loves his second wife & son, Xiang, but Shun was neglected and let doing difficult works. His stepmother often beat Shun, even she often tried to torture Shun until dead, but Shun kept obedient & dedicated to both of his parents.

Finally, since he couldn’t bear his suffering, Shun escaped from his home & stayed in a decrepit shack in the foot of Mount Li Shan. There, he farmed by himself. Due to his good personality & diligence, a white elephant & birds came to help him.

Shun often taught the farmers around his location on how to be the farmers, catching fish & making house’s furniture s from clay, so that they loved Shun very much. Then the farmers & craftsmen of clay from other places came & stayed there. Then that place gradually changed into a crowded small village. A year later such small village transformed into a small city, & 3 years afterward it developed into regency.

At that time, Emperor Yao was seeking for a wise person to become his assistant. Due to interested in Shun’s personality, then Emperor Yao appointed Shun his assistant. Even though he had become a son-in-law-of the King, Shun didn’t forget his father & step mother. Shun didn’t revenge to them, despite previously they treated Shun outrageously. Shun’s devotion to his parents remained unchanged, even though he had a good life now.

Because jealous seeing Shun’s life, his step-brother & step mother frequently tried to kill Shun, but failed. Always Shun forgave them & absolutely he had no revenge. Because of this noble personality, eventually Emperor Yao bequeathed his throne & appointed Shun a New Emperor. After taking the throne, Emperor Shun didn’t forget to visit both his parents as before.

During the era of Emperor Shun government [2225 BC– 2208 BC], he worked hard to make his people prosperous. Emperor Shun loved arts very much. He created many musical instruments, among others are: Sheng (Chinese musical instrument consisting of 13 stems of bamboo pipes which were different in length, plucked stringed instrument/harpsichord (kecapi) having 23 strings & other fine musical instruments. His musical composition was called Xiao Shao. They say, if this Xiao Shao concert was played, listening to melodious sound would make Feng Huang {Hong Hong} bird came on it & danced.

When Prophet Confucian listened to this music, unceasingly he praised & said that composition of Xiao Shao rhythm was very pleasing & wise. if compared to the rhythm of Wu (Zhou Wu Wang composition from Zhou Zhou), even though beautiful but still less wise. Xiao Shao prioritized making people touched. If he was alone, Emperor Shun liked to pluck 5-string plucked stringed instrument/harpsichord (kecapi), while singing song of his composition which was called Nan Feng (South Wind).

During the era of Emperor Shun government there was a horrible flood. Many people were killed & homeless. Emperor Shun was very sad of thinking his people’s suffering.

Finally it emerged Yu, a courageous person who succeeded to tackle that big flood. Emperor Shun considerably admired on Yu’s ability in organizing that huge work. Yu was the frontrunner in leading people in 9 provinces hit by the disaster. By bringing fork-tipped shovel he challenged storm & rain, courageously he made drainage & dredged bottom of river, until the flood was subsided. For 13 (thirteen) years he strived to tackle flood, 3 times he passed by his house without coming by or stared it, since he was worried to have neglected his duty.

Upon Yu’s great sacrifice to his people, Emperor Shun then bequeathed throne to him. Yu was a symbol of prudence & sacrifice without thinking about personal interest.

Emperor Yu governed from 2205 BC to 2198 BC. Emperor Yu established Xia Dynasty, which constitutes the first dynasty in China.

These Emperor Yao, Shun & Yu became ideal models of Kong Zi {Confucian}, Meng Zi {Beng Cu}, and other philosophers in teaching his students, and was also often used by such philosophers to give model for Emperors who took the throne later.

By his people, Emperors Yao, Shun & Yu were adored as Tian Guan, Ti Guan and Shui Guan. Three of them were called San Yuan Gong and their temples were distributed anywhere. They were adored as God who control good and bad deed of human being and God of lfe protection.

Tian Guan was awarded the title Zi Wei Da Di {Hok Kian = Ci Wi Tai Te}.

Di Guan was awarded the title Qing Xu Da Di {Hok Kian = Ching Hi Tai Te}

Shui Guan was awarded the title Dong Xu Da Di {Hok Kian = Thong Hi Tai Te}

These three Da Dis were collectively called San Guan Da Di.

Statues of San Guan Da Di are many found inside the temple, both in China mainland and in Hong Kong. In Taiwan, particularly in Tai Nan, there era are 3 temples that especially honor San Guan Da Di, namely San Guan Tang, San Jie Tang & San Guan Da Di Miao. In Java, honor to San Guan Da Di, besides in Kim Tek Ie temple, Jakarta, is also conducted in Tiauw Kak Si Temple - Cirebon, & Tay Kak Si Temple - Semarang.

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Every 9 th day of 1 st month of Chinese New Year (Imlek), Chinese people, particularly Hok Kian people, hold prayer ceremony of 敬天公 Jing Tian Gong {Hok Kian = King Thi Kong}, meaning prayer to God the Almighty. In the circle of 華僑 Hua Qiao {Hok Kian = Hwa Kiao = Chinese people overseas} in Indonesia, this prayer is known as Prayer of God which is performed with full of respect. This prayer ceremony is included one of series of ceremony in the festivity in welcoming the Chinese New Year / Spring that takes place for 15 days; from 1 st day to 15 th day of 1 st month of Chinese Calendar.

In 福建 Fu Jian {Hok Kian} Province & 臺灣 Taiwan came out a very popular term, namely 初九天公生 Chu Jiu Tian Gong Sheng , meaning that in Cia Gwe Cwe Kao (9 th day of 1 st month of Chinese Calendar) is Tian Gong Birthday. So that the people of Hok Kian Province & Taiwan hold a special prayer to honor Thi Kong (God the Almighty).

As we know, the term of 上帝 Shang Di (God the Almighty) in the circle of the followers of Chinese Religions 善男信女 (Buddha, Taoism, & Confucianism) called 天 Tian {Thian}, which is then in more friendly manner called 天公 Tian Gong {Hok Kian =Thi Kong}. Pray to Thi Kong has expanded to the lowest class of society, such as farmers, merchants and so on.

In this 9 th day of 1 st month of Chinese Calendar, King Thi Kong prayer Ceremony is performed starting from the high class to the poor. The poor has just placed a small Hiolo (Censer = vessel for burning incense) hung in front of their house’s door and burn hio (incense) from morning to midnight continuously.

For the haves, this prayer ceremony is the most luxurious and reverent matter. A big table with four of its legs is placed on 2 long benches. Then, on such table is arranged 3 units of 神位 Shen Wei (Place of God) made of colorful paper that are stuck one into another. After that in the front of Shen Wei is displayed 3 small cups containing tea & 3 bowls containing misoa which are tied with red paper. Subsequently, 五果六菜 Wu Guo Liu Cai {Hok Kian = Go Ko Lak Chai} is arranged in the front part. Wu Guo Liu Cai means 5 kinds of fruit & 6 kinds of vegetarian food; it is become the main principle in the arrangement of goods to be offered for Chinese people’s prayer ceremony. In the most front part (the left & right sides) is installed a couple of candle (2 bars ).

A day before prayer ceremony (Cia Gwe Cwe Pe = 8 th day of 1 st month of (Chinese calendar) begins, all occupants of house take a shower by shampooing & substitute the dress. Prayer is performed at 12.00 o’clock sharp at midnight, begun with the oldest family member in sequence of his generation. All perform 三跪九叩 San Gui Jiu Kou {Hok Kian = Sam Kwi Kiu Kho} namely 3 X kneeling & 9 X touch the head to the earth. After finish then golden paper specially made is burnt together with Shen Wei that made of colorful paper. Afterward, fire-crackers are burnt to accompany the departure of escorting angles. King Thi Kong prayer ceremony in the circle of Indonesia Hoa Qiao known as the title “Prayer of God”.

It is uncertain when society in Hok Kian Province & Taiwan started this King Thi Kong. A source stated that King Thi Kong has just begun to be performed in Qing Dynasty era. As we know that Hok Kian is the latest basis of the opposition from the rest of troops that were still loyal to Ming Empire. When Qing (Man Zhu) troops entered to Hok Kian, they faced with persevering resistance from local people & the rest of Ming troops. After the resistance was conquered with full of cruelty, eventually the whole Hok Kian Province was occupied by Qing. During the war & disorder, many people who hid out in sugar cane plantation that grew there. It was inside the roots of sugar cane they passed the night & day of Chinese calendar. After the situation was secure, at Cia Gwe Cwe Kaw (the 9 th day of 1 st month of Chinese calendar) morning they were in crowds went out & came to their respective houses. To express the sense of thanks to God since they kept away from terrible calamity of war, they held King Thi Kong prayer ceremony at 9 th day of 1 st month of Chinese calendar as an expression of thanks to Thi Kong for His protection.

At this 9 th day of 1 st month of Chinese calendar, coincided with the Birthday of the Supreme God 玉皇上帝 Yu Huang Shang Di {Hok Kian = Giok Hong Siong Tee = the Supreme God Kumala Raja},namelythe Supreme Deitywhoruns the government of universe and assisted by other deities. Therefore, then Chinese people consider Giok Hong Siong Tee as a reincarnation of Tian (God the Almighty). Cap It Gwe Cwe Lak (the 6 th day of 11 th month of Chinese New Year) is a Giok Hong Siong Tee day to reach the perfection.

From the story above, it is certain that Chinese people believe in God who is called as Tian or Tian Gong {Thi Kong}, but the concept is different from other religion. For Chinese (religious) people, God has assistants that consist of a number of deities with certain positions & regions and have the duty of controlling human actions within their respective authority & region environment.

So, if any Chinese people who worship in China temple, it is NOT because of believing in SUPERSTITION, but because they wish to appear before one of so many God’s assistants (that is: the deity) in the world for certain requisites (for example: work, business, career, marriage partner, etc), or just to share his/her problems.