The Origin of Prayer to God the Almighty
Every 9th day of 1st 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 1st day to 15th day of 1st 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 (9th day of 1st 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 9th day of 1st 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 = 8th day of 1st 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 9th day of 1st 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 9th day of 1st month of Chinese calendar as an expression of thanks to Thi Kong for His protection.
At this 9th day of 1st 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}, namely the Supreme Deity who runs 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 6th day of 11th 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 uhreligion. 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
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Asal Mula King Thi Kong – Sembahyang Tuhan Allah
