Sam Kwan Tay Te – Sam Gwan Kong
|
|
Cap Go Me (the 15th 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},
Firstly, title of San Yuan {Hok Kian = Sam Gwan}. This title indicates the period the three Emperors went down to the world, namely:
1. Cia Gwe Cap Go (the 15th day of 1st month of Chinese Calendar) = Shang Yuan {Hok Kian = Siang Gwan}
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}
Secondly, is San Yuan Gong {Sam Gwan Kong}. It is a full of honor title to 3 well-known Ancient Emperors, namely: Emperor Yao {Hok Kian = Giauw}, Emperor Shun {Sun}, and Emperor Yu {Ie}.
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.
Thirdly, the title San Guan {Hok Kian = Sam Kwan}. This title was considered from his rank, namely: Tian Guan, Di Guan, Shui Guan, which constitute Blessing’s Giver, Absolution & Protector of disaster and calamity.
Fourthly, well known with the title San Goan Da Di {Hok Kian = Sam Kwan Tai Te}. This title was awarded by the Supreme God Yuan Shi Tian Zun.
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.
*****
