The Gold Goodness Temple - Jindeyuan

The origin of 門神 Men Shen {Hok Kian = Mui Sin} God of Door has long been existed. It proves that in the past, people considerably paid attention to the security of door. Function of God of Door, though it cannot be compared to sophisticated technology security system like in the present, but the role that can be developed namely to provide the sense of peace & quietness, even non-expectable from security system. However, the Chinese people believed that God of Door could expel ghosts and Satan. It also cannot be seen or encountered even by security system with sophisticated system.

There are several types of God of Door, namely: God of Military Door, God of Civil Door, God of Door for Requesting Fortune, etc. In various areas Respected God of Door was not the same. In addition to God of Door 神荼 Shen Tu &鬱壘 Yu Lei, the most ancient one known by people, 秦叔寳 Qin Shu Bao {Hok Kian = Cin Siok Po} & 尉遲恭 Yu Chi Gong {Ut Ti Kiong} alias 尉遲敬德 Yu Chi Jing De {Ut Ti Keng Tek} was the most influential and spread able God of Door.

Cin Siok Po & Ut Ti Kiong was one of Gods of Military Door. Cin Siok Po & Ut Ti Kiong were 2 famous Generals during Tang Dynasty era [618 – 907 M] who helped Emperor Tang Tai Zong {Tong Thai Cong} – Li Shi Min {Li Se Bin} establish Tang {Tong} Dynasty. How could both of them become Gods of Door?

Based on the book Li Dai Shen Xian Tong Jian, during early period of Emperor Li Se Bin took the throne, he often felt bad health, in the night he often dreamed meeting with ghost/Satan who came disturbing. Probably it happened because during the early period of struggling to found the state authority, he had killed many people. In the said book was told: “Outside bedroom’s door was thrown away bricks & roof tiles, Satan & invisible elves screamed, 36 palace buildings, 72 yards, no silent night”. Emperor Tong Thai Cong was bothered making him couldn’t eat and sleep well.

After General Cin Siok Po & General Ut Ti Kiong knew that incident, then requested in order to safeguard security by standing on both sides of Palace doors wearing military uniform. At that night, nothing really happened, no sounds from disturbing evil spirits. Emperor Tong Thai Cong felt very happy. But if he asked both of them standing during the night in the front of door until morning), it was also too exhausted (that’s too bad for both of them).

Emperor Tong Thai Cong then commanded the painter to draw both of them in the shape of “Wearing iron dress & holding spear and sickle, looks like commanding with sharp glance.” After finished, both pictures were hung on both leaves of Palace doors. Ever since, Emperor Tong Thai Cong – Li Se Bin were not disturbed by that evil spirits any longer. This phenomenon was widely spread in the public. By the people of the generation after that, Cin Siok Po & Ut Ti Kiong became Gods of Door who were respected in people homes.

Particularly Buddhism-characteristic temple, it was often used pictures of 2 Bodhisattvas wearing full war dress, as a God of Door namely Qie Lan Pu Sa & Wei Tuo Pu Sa.
Installation of these Gods of Doors was then not only limited to the doors of temple, but it was common in every building, people house and offices. Currently, we can see it in Taiwan, Hong Kong & Singapore, even in Japan & Korea. Among several kinds of Gods of Door, pictures of Cin Siok Po & Ut Ti Kiong are often installed in people houses presently. It is Cin Siok Po & Ut Ti Kiong whose pictures wee see nowadays on leaves of doors in the most of existing temples.

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玄天上帝 Xuan Tian Shang Di (Hok Kian: Hian Thian Siang Te) is one of the most popular Chinese God, being honored and worshipped worldwide from Northern to Southern China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Indonesia. Some also regard Him as 上帝公 Shang Di Gong (Siang Te Kong). He ranks amongst the highest Gods, next to Yu Huang Da Di, The Yellow Jade Emperor (Ruler of All Heavens). He is also one of the Four Great Heavenly Gods:

1. 青天上帝 Qing Tian Shang Di of the East
2. 殷天上帝 Yan Tian Shang Di of the South
3. 白天上帝 Bai Tian Shang DI of the West
4. 玄天上帝 Xuan Tian Shang Di of the North

Hian Thian Siang Te has sovereignty over the Northern Heaven, thus became the highest leader amongst Gods in that region. His image is often portrait stepping on a tortoise and a snake. Xuan Wu is an official God in the Northern region, and symbolizes as snake and tortoise. Hian Thian Siang Te is also known as 真武大帝 Zhen Wu Da Di (Cia Bu Tay Tee) who is in fact, Xuan Wu. On the left and right are His two assistants, General Zhao and General Kang.

The worship of Hian Thian Siang Te began to flourish during the Ming Dynasty. It was stated that during the revolution of Zhu Yuan Zhang (the founder of Ming Dynasty), he once suffered a major defeat during a battle which led him to hide in a Shang Di Miao Temple in Wu Tang Shan mountain area of Hu Bei province. Due to the protection of Hian Thian Siang Te, Zhu Yuan Zhang managed to escape from the Mongolian troops who were sweeping out the remaining of his army.

Again due to the aid of Hian Thian Siang Te, Zhu Yuan Zhang succeeded in overcoming the Mongolian invasion, and overthrown the Yuan Dynasty. He established the Ming Dynasty after defeating all of his enemies in trying to reunite China.

To honor Hian Thian Siang Te’s accomplishments, merits and gratitude for His protection, Zhu Yuan Zhang then built a temple of honor to Hian Thian Siang Te in the capital of Nan Jing (Nan King) and in Bu Tong San Mountain. Since then, Bu Tong San become a holy place for the Taoists. Also, the worship of Hian Thian Siang Te expanded throughout the country, and most temples in major cities honored Him, with image made from solid brass found up to present day. In addition, He is also regarded as the Protector of a Country/Nation.

During the regime of Zheng Cheng Gong in Taiwan, many Shang Di Gong temples were established, with the main purpose to uplift the image and authority of the government, and also to become the worship center for both the civil and army. Shang Di Miao temples spread all over the country since then, and amongst the biggest was in Tai Nan, Southern Taiwan, built during the Dutch colony.

Upon the fall of Zheng Cheng Gong’s regime, the Qing Dynasty from Manchu came into power, discrediting Shang Di Gong by claiming that He was actually a repented butcher. The political aim was to morally wipe out the remaining followers of the Ming Dynasty by exploiting tales from the Buddha’s teaching about a repented butcher who cut opened his stomach, removed its content, and then became the Buddha’s follower. The tortoise and snake being stepped were said to be the intestine and body organs of the butcher. Due to that, His rank was reduced to Butchery Protecting Deity. Following that, the building of Siong Te Bio temples were reduced, and there has been only one temple being built in Lao Gu Shi Miao, Tai Nan.

The emperors of Manchu era did indeed admired and honored Hian Thian Siang Te, and this was proven by the building of many temples solely to honor Hian Thian Siang Te within the Forbidden City’s complex, the Emperor Palace in Beijing, which is named Qin An Tian. Another was built in the Resting Palace in Cheng De.

Wu Dang Shan, a holy mountain of Taoists, located in Hu Bei Province, Central China. Since Tang Dynasty era, the temples had been started to be established there. But a massive construction was carried out the government of Emperor Yong Le during Ming Dynasty era. It is not surprised since Xuan Tian Shang di was appointed as the Kingdom’s Guardian Angle.

Among the temples there, the most well known was Yu Xu Gong {Giok Hi Kiong} with Beijing Palace style-building, located in the Northwest of the main peak of Bu Tong San. Another one was Yu Zhen Gong which was built in the 15th Yong Le Year, in the North foot of Bu Tong San. In this Temple there was homage & statue of Zhang San Feng {Thio Sam Hong], the founder of martial art of self-defense institution-Wu Dang [Bu Tong Pay} branch.

The most complete temple building was Zi Xiao Gong Temple which was located on the Northeast peak, constitutes a center of all series of House of worships in that mountain. Bronze statue Hian Thian Siang Tee, the sculpture of Master Ji (experienced sculptor from Korea who is very popular to foreign countries) placed here. In this temple could be seen the symbol of Bu Tong Sam Mountain namely Turtle & Snake Statues. Those metal statues represented a turtle which was twisted tightly by a snake. It is said the snake intended to compel the turtle to vomit everything in its belly.

According to belief, such turtle originated from the stomach & the snake from the intestine of Zhen Wu that has changed its appearance. It was narrated that one upon a time in his meditation which was without eating and drinking, Zhen Wu felt his intestine and belly were quarreling. It seemed that a very extreme hunger caused both his body organ blamed each other. Zhen Wu realized if it was left, it could influence the tranquility his heart. In his annoyance, he split his belly and took out thesadi both organs, then threw them out to the grass behind him. Then as if nothing happened, he continued his meditation.

Stomach & intestine, since they everyday heard Zhen Wu recites holy verses of Taoism, gradually had magic power. Both then changed into turtle and snake, and then sneaked into going down the mountain to eat livestock and human being. Zhen Wu that had become Deity was very fury for this incident. By riding cloud & unsheathed sword he went down the mountain. His sword’s cut on the back of turtle left scars to present. As since, on the back of turtle were seen scars like sword’s cut. With magic power rope he tied the neck of snake, so that as since the snake’s necks is smaller that its body.

After being conquered, turtle & snake had the Er Jiang position meaning “Two Commanders” and become seat foundation of Zhen Wu Da Di. But, the turtle seemed like still having invisible character. It was recognized by Zhen Wu, he then asked the snake to twist turtle’s body tightly, in order that all objects it swallowed to be vomited again & in order to reveal all crimes that it had ever committed. Up to now, these turtle & snake statues still exist in the rear space of Zi Xiao Gong temple & then it was made logo symbolizing Bu Tong San Mountain.

There was still any 1 the important relic that has relation to Hian Thian Sian Tee, namely a well named Mo Zhen Jing (a well, the place to sharpen needle). It is reported when Zhen Wu was holding meditation in this mountain, his heart loosened. He then decided to leave that place. Arrived at the edge of this well, he saw an old woman was sharpening iron pestle. Zhen Wu was surprised, then asked what the intention of the old woman to sharpen the iron pestle. Laughingly, the old woman said that she was sharpening a pestle to make needle for embroidery. Hearing the answer, Zhen Wu just realized the intention behind the old woman’s words. Immediately he went back to the mountain to continue his meditation. The name Mo Zhen Jing, was then being famous. Presently, near the well is built a rangon and statue of old woman is sharpening pestle.

In relation to these turtle & snake, the entrepreneurs of bamboo raft in Taiwan & Hong Kong worshipped to Hian Thian Siang Tee, in order that turtles and snakes in rivers were not courageous to cause wave & rolling wave to threaten their business. In addition to in Taiwan and Hong Kong, worship to Hian Thian Siang Tee has spread to Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia Singapore and Indonesia. In Singapore, Wak Hai Cheng Bio Temple in Philip Street is famed for worship to Hian Thian Siang Tee. In Indonesia, nearly every temple provides altar for him.

It is said, the first Hian Thian Siang Tee Temple in Indonesia is Welahan Temple, Central Java. In Semarang, most of temples provide special altars for him. Meanwhile the temple that is specially for Hoan Thian Siang Tee worship as a host is Gerajen & Bugangan Temples

Hian Thian Siang Tee (Zhen Wu Da Di/Cin Bu Tay Tee) is presented as a deity who is wearing golden war cloth by unsheathing a devil conquering sword, both of his without shoes-feet stepped on turtle and snake.
The birthday of Hian Thian Siang Te is commemorated on the 3rd of the 3rd month of Lunar year.

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The Origin of Ceng Beng Festival

Everybody of course recognizes that he/she was delivered of by father & mother (parents). But among so many parents, who gave birth to them? Then, parents of Chinese People, who gave birth to them? These are questions about the origin of Chinese people.

At the moment of Ceng Beng Festival (usually falls on the 4^th or 5^th day of April every year), is the time to clean grave/tomb, the time for Chinese people pray for their ancestors (grandparents or parents, etc) who have passed away & commemorates the merits of ancestors. It is not a superstition, but it is to say the highest sense of honor to the ancestors, meaning that we don’t forget our origin, in other word we don’t forget where we originate from.

Qing Ming festival {Hok Kian = Ceng Beng} is a Festival to clean graves, also called Hari Raya Musik (Music Festival), is a day containing the deepest meaning.

These 2 letters清明 of Qing Ming, means clear sky with bright weather, in which daylight is longer than the night, atmosphere of spring is seen everywhere, flowers are blooming, plants and & creatures lives cleanly, freshly& chilly. Clean weather, bright view, so that it is called Qing Ming Festival (literal meaning = clean & bright).

Ceng Beng is the 5^th day of 24 Jie Qi (a day stating a part of 24 parts of Solar Year in Chinese calendar /Imlek), is the season where farmers sow seeds & plant flowers. Before starting to farm, the farmers pray first to their ancestors, thank to the ancestors who have given paddy field - dry field, life, property (legacy), goodness, etc. it is a very meaningful matter. Thus, this day is called思親節 Si Qin Jie namely Festival to Commemorate the Ancestors.

In the past, at the moment of this Ceng Beng Festival, rice, vegetables & fruits that have been prayed to the ancestors, distributed to the shepherds, poor child, or poor people around the graves. It states that goodness of ancestors is also distributed to be enjoyed by others.

Chinese ethnic group is called 中華民族 Zhong Hua Min Zu
{Hok Kian = Tiong Hoa Bin Cu}. The first ancestor of Chinese people was 軒轅黃帝 Xuan Yuan Huang Di (read: Sien Yen Huang Ti). According to a legend, Xuan Yuan Huang Di was born on the 5^th day of the 4^th month of the year 4608 Before Christmas. At that time, around the watershed of Huang He {Huang Ho}, The Yellow River, there were so many ethnic groups. All ethnic groups attacked each other, so that people couldn’t pass a safe & peaceful life.

When Xuan Yuan Huang Di & Chi You (one of cruel and brutal ethnic group leaders) engaged in battle, Huang Di troops attacked to Zhang He, get severe resistance from Chi You & his troops, so that failed to challenge Zhang He. Then, Xuan Yuan Huang Di invited music expert Ling Lun to compose “Song for Passing Zang” sung by
the whole troops. Finally within heroic and authoritative song & musical strain, Xuan Yuan Huang Di & his troops succeeded to pass Zhang He, & conquered Chi You. From this matter, it can be understood that music is not only able to entertain ourselves, can also bring in the victory.

After Xuan Yuan Huang Di conquered cruel & brutal Chi You, he united the entire nation, then founded a new country & improve people standard of living in safe and peaceful condition.

After displacing the capital city to Nan Jing, the Chinese Government stipulated Ceng Beng as Festival to Clean graves of Chinese People, stated that all Chinese people don’t forget the first ancestors, founder of state, Xuan Yuan Huang Di.

When anti-Japan war (1937 – 1945), the China Government stipulated the 5^th of April as a Music Feast Day, as well as to commemorate the presentation of Great music work created during Xuan Yuan Huang Di era.

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