The Gold Goodness Temple - Jindeyuan

The Origins of Eating Bacang

端午節 Duan Wu Jie is one of 3 Big Festivals which is commemorated by Chinese people. [2 other festivals are春節 Chun Jie (Festival for welcoming the Spring - Chinese New Year) &中秋節 Zhong Qiu Jie (Tiong Ciu Festival – in the middle of fall).]

Even though according to a legend there are 3 origins of Duan Wu Jie [ 2 other are to commemorate Devoted Princess曹娥 Chao E during East Han Dynasty era (A.D. 25 – 220) who was killed after jumped down to the river due to mourning for his father’s death& to commemorate the death day of伍子胥 Wu Zi Xu from Chu country who lived during Chun Qiu era (B.C. 770 – 476 SM) ], but the origins of a very well known Duan Wu Jie Festival & commemorated in China, Taiwan, etc are based on the death of Qu Yuan who passed away after jumped down to Mi Luo river. In Taiwan, Qu Yuan is also honored as Shui Xian Zhun Wang (the most Respectful Good of Water).

Duan Wu Jie {Twan Ngo Ciap} Festival or sometimes also called Peh Cunis is commemorated annually at Go Gwe Cwe Go (the 5^th day of 5^th month of Chinese Calendar). On the said day, Chinese people usually present bacang (Chinese delicacy made from rice or glutinous rice, wrapped in bamboo leaves, filled with meat and steamed) and kue cang for worship. Where does bacang originate? Duan Wu Jie Festival is to commemorate a holy figure Qu Yuan in which with his loyalty he sacrificed for people and country. It was told as follows:

Zhou Dynasty during battle era in China + 2,400 years ago (B.C. 475-221) divided into 7 (seven) Countries. Qin Country was the strongest and aggressive, often attacked (conduct military aggression) against other six countries. Qu Yuan was a Great and loyal Minister from Chu Country (one of six countries which was attacked by Qin Country). He was a figure who successfully united the six countries to confront aggression of Qin Country, so that his name was highly respected in Qin country.

Qu Yuan had ever hampered King Chu, Huai Wang to fulfill an invitation of King of Qin country to come to its capital city. But unfortunately King Chu Huai Wang, at that time, had been influenced by ram fight tactic from Qin Country, his relations with Qu Yuan broken and unwilling to trust his suggestion any longer.

Finally King Chu Huai Wang was deceived by the promises King Qin to come to its capital city, and then imprisoned there, until he finally died in Qin Country.

After King Xiang Wang took the throne to replace King Chu Huai Wang, he was not only thinking to revenge, even the other way making King Qin as his father! Moreover, there were some ministers who obtained advantages from Qin Country, unpredictably he in fact suggested King Chu Xiang Wang to surrender to Qin Country.

Qu Yuan tried to oppose this matter, debated with King Chu Xiang Wang so that it resulted in him angry very much, then dismissed Qu Yuan who had dedicated for years in Chu Country, and expelled him from Chu Country.

Qu Yuan who spent his life as an escapee for 9 years, has undergone tragic days in which his country was destroyed, and his family was broken, and finally committed suicide by jumping down into Mi Luo River (in Hu Nan Province). Some people who knew the incident tried to help him, but failed. Even his body was not found. Qu Yuan passed away in the 5^th day of 5^th month of Chinese Calendar in the age of 62 years.

Chu Country’s people grieved after they knew that Qu Yuan, their minister who loved his Country very much was dead, and then they went to the brink of the river expressing their deepest sympathies over the death of Qu Yuan.

Soon after, people in the country held a ceremony to commemorate Qu Yuan, considering that the spirit of love of country of Qu Yuan was really lofty.

After Qu Yuan jumped down to Mi Luo River, there was a person from Chu Country who met with the soul of Qu Yuan. Qu Yuan informed this person, people who honored Qu Yuan by throwing food into the river–all foods were all over being fought by fish & shrimps. Then Qu Yuan gave message to the said person to deliver to the public in order that the foods being offered to be wrapped with bamboo leaves & offered in the 5^th day of the 5^th month of Chinese Calendar 5. It is the origins of eating bacang in Duan Wu Jie Festival.

Since Qu Yuan had written so many articles similar to poem, to express the sense of respect and love of Qu Yuan to the Country, then in the 5^th day of 5^th month (Chine Calendar) also constituted Poet Festival in China.

Organization of Dragon Boat competition in Duan Wu Jie Festival, is to remind the effort to seek for body of Qu Yuan who jumped down into the river. Because, in addition to row a boat, it also beats a drum, able to expel fish and shrimp, then they could help Qu Yuan.

Nowadays, at the Duan Wu Festival, in many places are held Dragon Boat Competition, firstly to commemorate Qu Yuan, developing the spirit of love of Country; secondly to promote sports, then with health body is able to protect the Country. In addition to, one family gets together while eat bacang, can also enjoy family happiness.

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Sakyamuni Buddha - The Pioneer of Buddhism

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.

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Bun Cu Pho Sat - Manjusri Bodhisattva

The Buddhism considers that source of all sufferings in human life is無明 Digression (cannot fully see the real truth of a problem/object). To overcome this digression we must rely on the wisdom/ discretion.

文殊菩薩 Wen Shu Pu Sa {Hok Kian = Bun Cu Pho Sat} is the realization of discretion. Therefore, even though he is not a leading figure in history, but since he could perform distinctive feature of Buddhism ideology implicitly & evidently, then his position in Buddhism is very high. He is the first Bodhisatva who is mentioned in the holy books. Even there is a certain holy book declaring that Wen Shu Pu Sa is a guru of all Buddha within 3 periods of life.

Wen Shu Pu Sa was also called 文殊師利 Wen Shu Shi Li , liberally translated into妙吉祥 Miao Ji Xiang (Miraculous fortune), 法王子 Fa Wang Zi (Son of King Dharma), etc. Wen Shu Pu Sa who represents the wisdom, &普賢菩薩 Pu Xian Pu Sa who represents characters at temples in China & Japan is often performed beside Sang Buddha Sakyamuni.

Manjusri is Bodhisatva of Discretion and Knowledge & to be considered equal to Bodhisatva Avalokitesvara or Kwan Im Pho Sat who constitutes Bodhisatva of Compassion. Manjusri in Sanskrit means “Friendly Grandeur”. Chinese people consider Manjusri is Bodhisatva who gives information & discretion for anyone active in performing Dharma.

Sacred place of Bun Cu Pho Sat is in Mount五臺山 Wu Tai Shan, Shan Xi Province. In this place Bun Cu Pho Sat often shows up his miracle. This Mount Wu Tai Shan is one of 4 holy mounts of Buddhism in China & becomes a gathering place for the followers of Bun Cu Pho Sat. Even though to reach the peak of Wu Tai Shan we must pass by with hard & complicated journey. They want to feel a spiritual tranquility by reaching Wen Shu Pu Sa temple located at the said peak of mountain.

There are many testimonies on the appearance of miracle lights which were witnessed by many followers of Buddhism at the peak of the said holy mountain. By ordinary people, it is probably considered as “hallucination” of those who were suffered from tiredness due to climbing up such mountain. But, it must be considered that the people who climbed up there generally were those who wanted to seek for “Discretion” & they have undergone meditation diligently, so that they had thoughts that is not easily shaky or unstable or easily influenced by the phenomena which may result in the said hallucination.

The most often appearing shape of Bun Cu Pho Sat is his right hand holding magic jewel sword, left hand holding a holy book, rides a green fur lion. Magic jewel sword represents the wisdom which may decide all kilesa (spiritual nervousness). Roll of holy book represents the wisdom like an ocean & guiding the humankind entering holy book warehouse. The lion being ridden is valued as a King of Animal & also called the Roaring of Lion, spread out Dharma Buddha. Then Bun Cu Pho Sat rides the lion bearing the meaning to develop Buddha Dharma & save the humankind.

In the story of Miao Shan, green lion Wen Shu Pu Sa was told as the reincarnation of God of Fire, while the white elephant Pu Xian Pu Sa was God of Water. These both Gods caught the entourage of King of Miao Zhuang who would go on a pilgrimage to Xiang Shan, the place of Miao Shan. Then both of them were conquered by the Commander of Heavens. After Miao Shan becoming Bodhisatva, both his older sisters were also appointed to accompany her. Miao Shu (in other version was called as Miao Qing) appointed as Wen Shu Pu Sa & Miao Yin appointed as Pu Xian Pu Sa. Even though Wen Shu Pu Sa & Pu Xian Pu Sa originated from India, finally had the form of China 100 %.

The temple that is especially used to honor Bun Cu Pho Sat are seldom available, except the one in Wu Tai Shan. But its statues are seen at Buddhism characterized temples. Bun Cu Pho Sat is often performed in the form of Triad together with Sakyamuni Buddha & Pho Hian Pho Sat. Or together with Kwan Im Pho Sat & Pho Hian Pho Sat. in the formof Triad, with Kwan Im, usually Bun Cu Pho Sat & Pho Hian Pho Sat is performed in the form of woman. Kwan Im as a symbol The Most Beneficent & Merciful, Bun Cu represents the discretion, Pho Hian as a symbol of affection implementation. Three of them are the excellence of Buddhism teachings.

The birthday of Wen Shu Pu Sa is commemorated on every 4^th day of 4^th Month of Chinese Calendar & is particularly commemorated every year by the Buddhism Zen Followers.

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