Earth God

The Earth God

(Image: Tplm123.com)

According to the Taoist tradition, the Birthday of the Earth God (土地福德正神聖誕 Tudi Fude Zhengshen Shengdan) is observed on the 2nd day of the 2nd Chinese lunar month. The Earth Land God (土地神 Tudi Shen), or simply Earth God in English, is the ruler of a local area of land in the heavenly bureaucratic system of the Taoist religion. He is generally portrayed as a benevolently looking elderly man with a white beard and wearing a robe and hat. He is also affectionately called Grandfather Earth (土地公 Tudi Gong) and is sometimes depicted together with an elderly lady as his wife called Grandmother Earth (土地婆 Tudi Po). The formal title of the earth god is the Righteous Spirit of Fortune & Merit (福德正神 Fude Zhengshen) because he is also a wealth deity and is sometimes depicted holding a ruyi scepter and gold ingots.

Statue of the Earth God depicting him holding a ruyi scepter
in his right hand and carrying gold ingots in his left hand

(Image: Jin Xiang Yuan Handicrafts Manufacture Co Ltd)

There isn’t just one earth god but many, because there is an earth god for each different area of land on the earth. The earth god is a minor ranking bureaucratic deity in the spirit world and is analogous to being the landlord of a particular piece of land property. His duty is to protect the inhabitants on his piece of land and to distribute fortune and happiness to them.

The practice of worshipping the earth in China goes back to antiquity where it was already mentioned in the Book of Rites (禮記 Liji), one of the five classics of Confucianism that was compiled probably between the 5th to 3rd centuries BCE. The earth was seen as the giver of birth to all things and the provider of all things necessary for life. Animals and livestock are reared on the earth and vegetables and grains are harvested from the soil. Therefore, the earth held a venerable place in the minds of the people. Altars and shrines were established in all the cities, towns, and villages to venerate the earth. Later, it was believed that famous local heroes and those that died for the welfare of the people became the earth gods of the places where they had extended their beneficial influence. In both Taoist and Buddhist theory, those people who have accumulated a certain moderate amount of spiritual merit can also become locality gods like the earth god after their death if their karma is of such a predisposition.



Statue of the Earth God

(Image: Source unknown)

The earth-land god (i.e. earth god) is not to be confused with the land-host spirit (地主神 Dizhu Shen) who is a different entity. The two are often confused with each other. The earth god is a spirit in a bureaucratic position recognized by the higher deities as being the ruler of a certain area of land, while the land-host spirit is in actuality any miscellaneous spirit that has taken up residence, without any official permission or recognition from higher deities, in the space of a single home or residential unit.

A spirit-tablet depicting the Earth God

(Image: Nipic.com)

It is very common to see the spirit-tablets (spirit-plaques) for both the earth god and the land-host spirit in traditional Chinese homes. The spirit-tablet for the earth god is placed on the ground just outside the home, while the one for the land-host spirit is placed on the floor inside the home, usually under or near the home shrine beneath the images of higher deities and/or the ancestor’s spirit-tablet. It is customary to offer incense and food at least twice per month on the new moon and full moon days (the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month). In pre-modern China, each and every village had a common shrine dedicated to the local earth god.

A small space dedicated to the Earth God

commonly seen just outside a home or business

(Image: Chinesefolklore.org.cn)

A public outdoor shrine dedicated to the Earth God

(Image: Chinesefolklore.org.cn)

Text © 2011 Harry Leong

Guanyin Opens the Repository

Guanyin - the Bodhisattva of Compassion

Fish (魚) is a symbol of prosperity because it is a homonym for abundance (餘)

(Image: Painting by Dharma Master Yilin 依林法師繪)

According to popular folk religious tradition in southern China, the 26th day of the first Chinese lunar month is the day that Guanyin Opens the Repository (觀音開庫 Guanyin Kaiku). It is also known as Guanyin Lends from the Repository (觀音借庫 Guanyin Jieku). On this day, many followers of popular Taoism and folk religion visit temples to “borrow money” from Guanyin. It is believed that if one prays with sincerity, Guanyin will bestow wealth in accordance with one’s karma and personal needs. It is also said that the “wealth” given by Guanyin is not necessarily in the form of money, but can be in the form of health, happiness, and safety too. But of course, the motivation of the people who participate in this ritual is generally all about money!

A girl prepares to request wealth on the day of Guanyin Opens the Repository

(Image: Oriental Daily News 東方日報)

It should be noted that this ritual is not observed in traditional mainstream Buddhism, which some people may find surprising. This interesting southern Chinese folk tradition exists outside of the orthodox Buddhist sphere. Even though Guanyin was originally a Buddhist deity (in Mahayana Buddhism, she is a fully enlightened Buddha that manifests as a great bodhisattva), she has become a much beloved figure of compassion and salvation in the Chinese mind and she is the subject of many folk tales and legends in Chinese culture. Guanyin is no longer only a great bodhisattva of the Buddhist tradition, but has also become a popular “goddess” in the Taoist and popular folk religious traditions as well. The popularity of Guanyin is reflected in the traditional Chinese saying:

Amitabha [is venerated] in every family;

Guanshiyin (Guanyin) [is venerated] in every household.

家家彌陀佛

戶戶觀世音

Participants of the Guanyin Opens the Repository ritual generally offer incense, candles, and joss papers. Then they should pray sincerely to Guanyin and ask for wealth that is befitting of their karma. One should not be motivated by greed, and one’s request should not be unrealistic. If Guanyin actually grants a favor, it is always done out of compassionate assistance, and never in a random or indiscriminate manner. If money is going to do more harm than good, it would certainly not be forthcoming. Gamblers, swindlers, and greedy people should forget about it. After one completes one’s prayers, one may get from the temple some items of auspicious well wishes, such as blessed foods; coins wrapped in red paper with a large sum written on the outside of the paper (i.e. three hundred million, etc.) to symbolize great wealth and riches; and other types of lucky souvenir gifts. Worshippers bring these items home and place them in the family shrine, lucky feng-shui spots, or they can carry them on their person. At the end of the year, those that prayed to Guanyin for “wealth” should return to the same temple and offer thanks.



Incense and joss papers to be used in the Guanyin Opens the Repository ritual

(Image: Oriental Daily News 東方日報)

Lucky coins wrapped in red paper that reads

Three hundred million [dollars] and Ninety million [dollars]

(Image: Dao.org.hk)

Lucky coins wrapped in red paper that reads Good Physical Health

(Image: Dao.org.hk)

Auspicious gifts from the temple:

Imperial tablet paper replica that reads Wealth Star Salutes & Illuminates; red chopsticks;

coins wrapped in red paper envelope with Nine million [dollars] written on it;

bowl of blessed peanuts and candies with lucky red packets

(Image: Oriental Daily News 東方日報)

In popular folk religion, there are several legends about the origin of Guanyin Opens the Repository. A popular one says that five hundred arhats/arahants (羅漢 luohan) (Buddhist cultivators that have transcended worldly desire and attachment and have escaped cyclic existence) descended to the world to test the spiritual practice of Guanyin who was still a human at that time. They manifested themselves in the forms of ordinary monks and asked Guanyin to give them food. Guanyin opened her repository and distributed delicious vegetarian food to all the arhats-in-disguise. Afterwards, she distributed the remainder of her supply to all the common people as well. Later, the symbolism of Guanyin’s food offering was transformed into the idea of wealth and money instead. Thus began the yearly tradition of asking Guanyin to distribute wealth from her repository. An alternate theory is that a similar ritual was originally practiced with the Wealth God, but over time, the Wealth God was somehow conflated with Guanyin.

But whatever the case may be, the ritual and tradition brings a lot of hope and joy to its followers, and that is the most important purpose of any religious celebration or custom.

 

A happy man shows his lucky coins wrapped in red paper

that reads One hundred eighty million [dollars]

(Image: Apple Daily 蘋果日報)

May Guanyin also “lend” everyone lots of wealth, good health, and joy!

Text © 2011 Harry Leong

Stellar Lord of the Virtue of Wood

God of Jupiter - the Stellar Lord of the Virtue of Wood, from a Japanese Buddhist mandala

(Image: Museum Reihokan Koyasan)

According to the Taoist tradition, the Birthday of the Stellar Lord of the Virtue of Wood (木德星君誕辰 Mude Xingjun Shengdan) is observed on the 25th day of the first Chinese lunar month. The Stellar Lord of the Virtue of Wood (木德星君 Mude Xingjun) refers to a planetary deity associated with Jupiter, the fifth planet from the sun and the largest planet in our solar system. In the Chinese language, the planet Jupiter is known as the Year Star (歲星 Suixing), and is also called the Wood Star (木星 Muxing) because it is correlated with the element (i.e. energy phase) of wood in the Five Elements (Five Phases) (五行 wuxing) scheme of Taoist metaphysics. This planetary/stellar deity is also called the Perfect Imperial Lord of the Year Star (歲星真皇君 Suixing Zhenhuangjun) and is commonly known as the god of Jupiter (歲星神 suixing shen).

The planet Jupiter – also known as the Year Star or Wood Star in the Chinese language

(Image: Anthony Wesley/The Planetary Society)

This planetary deity is included in a group collectively known as the Stellar Lords of the Five Planets and Seven Luminaries (五星七曜星君 Wuxing Qiyao Xingjun). In ancient times, the five planets (Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Mercury, and Saturn) together with the sun and moon, were deified as seven stellar gods and venerated by the ancients who envisioned the sacred spirit in all things of nature and the universe. The concept of the Seven (and also Nine) Luminaries first appeared in China in the third century with the translation of the Indian text called the Matanga Sutra (摩登伽經 Modengjia Jing). In the Taoist text called Scripture of the Supreme Truth Grotto on the Secret Teachings of the Five Planets (太上洞真五星秘授經 Taishang Dongzhen Wuxing Mishou Jing), the functions of the five planets are explained as follows: In the East, the Perfect Lord of the Virtue of Wood (Jupiter) is in charge of the birth of all things; In the South, the Perfect Lord of the Virtue of Fire (Mars) is in charge of the growth of all things; In the West, the Perfect Lord of the Virtue of Gold (Venus) is in charge of the control and restraint of all things; In the North, the Perfect Lord of the Virtue of Water (Mercury) is in charge of the benefiting of all things; In the Center, the Perfect Lord of the Virtue of Earth (Saturn) is in charge of the breeding of all things.

Those familiar with astrology and feng-shui would also know of a group of 60 affiliated stellar deities called the Great Year (太歲 Taisui), or Stellar Lords of the Great Year (太歲星君 Taisui Xingjun), although it should be noted that the Taisui (Great Year) deities are not the same as the god of Jupiter himself, since the Taisui deities are actually related to the hypothetical stars used to track the motion of the actual Jupiter in ancient times, together with the Chinese sexagenary calendrical cycle of 60 years made up of the combinations of the Ten Heavenly Stems (天干 tiangan) and Twelve Earthly Branches (地支 dizhi). 

 

An interesting note to make here is that, despite the knowledge in modern astronomy and science, there are still unexplained accounts of imperial astrologers in ancient China that were able to predict with astonishing accuracy the outcomes of political struggles and national events using the system of omens and portents based on the observation of celestial phenomena.

Text © 2011 Harry Leong

Sudhana

Statue of Sudhana

(Image: Source unknown)

The 20th day of the first Chinese lunar month is the Birthday of Sudhana (善財童子聖誕 Shancai Tongzi Shengdan). Sudhana’s name is translated into Chinese as Child of Good Wealth (善財童子 Shancai Tongzi) because it is said that when he was born, many different forms of riches suddenly appeared in his parent’s home. The original identity of Sudhana, an Indian youth seeking enlightenment, is given in a Buddhist scripture called the Avatamsaka (Flower Adornment) Sutra (大方廣佛華嚴經 Dafang Guangfo Huayan Jing). This scripture is one of the longest scriptures in Mahayana Buddhism and is often called “the king of kings of all sutras.” It is considered to be the epitome of Buddhist thought and contains the Buddha’s highest teachings on reality and phenomena. In the scripture’s longest chapter entitled Entering the Dharma Realm (入法界品 Ru Fajie Pin), Sudhana undertakes a journey to seek teachings from fifty-three spiritual advisors in his quest for enlightenment. Along the way, he meets many great teachers and bodhisattvas, and finally achieves Buddhahood in a single lifetime.

Sudhana meets Bodhisattva Manjushri to seek advice

(Image: Source unknown)

In later works of both Taoist and secular origins, Sudhana is said to be an acolyte of Guanyin, and often appears in a pair with Dragon Girl (龍女 Longnu) standing on either side of Guanyin in popular Chinese art. In both the Complete Compilation of Tales of Guanyin of the South Sea (南海觀音全撰 Nanhai Guanyin Quanzhuan), a Ming dynasty novel; and the Precious Compilation of Scrolls on Sudhana and Dragon Girl (善財龍女寶撰 Shancai Longnu Baozhuan), a Taoist work; the two children are portrayed as Guanyin’s acolytes, although their stories are different.

Painting of Sudhana paying respect to Guanyin

(Image: Source unknown)

Popular depiction of Guanyin (center) flanked by Sudhana (right) and Dragon Girl (left)

(Image: Source unknown)

The iconography of Sudhana and Dragon Girl is very similar to another popular Taoist iconography of the Golden Youth (金僮 Jintong) and Jade Maiden (玉女 Yunu), and it is probable that one was influenced or derived from the other. It is also probable, but unclear if Sudhana served as the prototype for the Wealth & Treasure Bringing Child (招財進寶童子 Zhaocai Jinbao Tongzi) of Taoism and popular folk religion, an assistant child deity that helps other principal wealth deities in distributing riches and prosperity. Sudhana also should not be confused with the Third Prince Nazha (哪咤三太子 Nazha Santaizi), another well known child deity in Taoism and Chinese mythology.

May everybody emulate Sudhana’s determination and pure intention to seek knowledge from virtuous teachers.

Text © 2011 Harry Leong

Perfected Master Qiu of Eternal Spring

Qiu Chuji – The Perfected Master of Eternal Spring

(Image: Source unknown)

The 19th day of the first Chinese lunar month is the birthday of Perfected Master Qiu of Eternal Spring (長春邱真人 Changchun Qiu Zhenren). His title is also abbreviated as just Perfected Master of Eternal Spring (長春真人 Changchun Zhenren) and his name is Qiu Chuji (邱處機), also known as Qiu Changchun (邱長春).

He was born during the Jin dynasty in 12th century China. At 19 years of age, he decided to leave home to practice Taoist cultivation. He went to seek discipleship under the eminent master Wang Chongyang (王重陽), one of the northern patriarchs of the Complete Reality (全眞 Quanzhen) school of Taoism, and became one of his seven famous disciples who are collectively known as the Seven Perfected Ancestral Masters (七真祖師 Qizhen Zushi). Qiu later founded his own school which is known as the Dragon Gate (龍門 Longmen) school, a Taoist sect that also incorporates teachings from Buddhism and Confucianism.

Qiu Chuji – The Perfected Master of Eternal Spring

(Image: Source unknown)

In 1220, Master Qiu traveled from China to Afghanistan in Central Asia to meet Genghis Khan upon his invitation. The journey was recorded by one of his accompanying disciples who later published Record of Travels to the West of Perfected Master Eternal Spring (長春真人西遊記 Changchun Zhenren Xiyouji). The work details the three year journey and records the advice given by Master Qiu to Genghis Khan. He is credited with helping preserve Chinese civilization and saving many lives during the Mongol invasion through his advice to Genghis Khan to practice non-harm and to rule only with virtue. He was later appointed by Genghis Khan as administrator of all the Taoist religious institutions in China. 

Master Qiu spent the last years of his life at the site of today’s White Cloud Temple (白雲觀 Baiyun Guan) in Beijing which served as the administrative seat of the Complete Reality school in the past, and is today the headquarters of the China Taoist Association (中國道教協會 Zhongguo Daojiao Xiehui).

Text © 2011 Harry Leong

Yuanxiao Festival

Poster: Happy Yuanxiao Festival

(Image: Nipic.com)

The 15th day of the first Chinese lunar month is the Yuanxiao Festival (元宵節 Yuanxiao Jie), more popularly known as the Lantern Festival (燈節 Dengjie). This day is the first full moon of the lunar new year and marks the official end of the Chinese new year celebrations which lasts for 15 days. On this day, lanterns are hung up in beautiful displays and various forms of entertainment take place amidst a festive atmosphere. As twilight approaches, lanterns are lit up to emit warm glowing lights for an evening of happy festivities. In ancient times and even today, different kinds of lanterns of spectacular large scale designs are displayed or paraded in the evening for revelers to enjoy.

 

Lanterns to celebrate the Yuanxiao Festival

(Image: Tieba.baidu.com)

Yuanxiao Festival celebration in Nanjing, China

(Image: Xinhuanet.com)

Giant lanterns are released up into the sky at the Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival in Taiwan

(Image: Fgu.edu.com)

It is also customary at this time for families to eat tangyuan (湯圓), also called yuanxiao (元宵), which are round dumpling balls made from glutinous rice flour with sweet or savory filling. Their round shape symbolizes togetherness and completeness.



Tangyuan/yuanxiao dumplings filled with sweetened black sesame paste

(Image: Ntdtv.com)

There are many different legends surrounding the Lantern Festival, but a popular one connects the festival to a Taoist deity, the Great Emperor Heaven Official (天官大帝 Tianguan Dadi), because the day is also considered to be his birthday. His full title is The Great Emperor Heaven Official of Purple Subtlety of the Upper Primordial & Primary Grade Who Confers Blessings (上元一品賜福天官紫微大帝 Shangyuan Yipin Cifu Tianguan Ziwei Dadi), and that’s why the Yuanxiao Festival is also known as the Shangyuan (Upper Primordial) Festival (上元節 Shangyuan Jie). This deity is part of a Taoist trinity called the Three Great Emperor Officials (三官大帝 Sanguan Dadi) which includes the Heaven Official (天官 Tianguan), Earth Official (地官 Diguan) (also mentioned here), and Water Official (水官 Shuiguan) (also mentioned here). It is believed that on this day, the Great Emperor Heaven Official descends to the earthly realm to inspect the world of mortals and to confer his blessings on them. Many traditional Chinese homes even have a tablet, plaque, or red paper printed with his abbreviated title Heaven Official Who Confers Blessings (天官賜福 Tianguan Cifu) as an effigy for veneration. Generally, incense and fruits are offered at least twice a month on the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month.



The Great Emperor Heaven Official, more popularly known as

the Heaven Official Who Confers Blessings

(Image: Tooopen.com)

Another interesting fact about the Yuanxiao Festival is that it was also known as a Chinese Valentine’s day in the past because in ancient times, matchmakers tried to help young people find a romantic partner during this time, and young boys and girls played games along the river so that they had a chance to meet through social interaction.

Happy Yuanxiao Festival to all, and may the Great Emperor Heaven Official confer his blessings on everybody!

Text © 2011 Harry Leong

The Three Great Emperor Officials

The Three Great Emperor Officials (三官大帝 Sanguan Dadi), also called the Great Emperors of the Three Primordials (三元大帝 Sanyuan Dadi), are a trinity of supreme Taoist deities that embody the essence of the primordial energies of the universe. This divine triumvirate are comprised of the Heaven Official (天官 Tianguan), Earth Official (地官 Diguan), and Water Official (水官 Shuiguan).

The Three Great Emperor Officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water

(Image: Source unknown)

The Heaven Official

The Great Emperor Heaven Official is correlated with the Jade Clarity Realm (玉清境 Yuqing Jing) and embodies the essence of the green, yellow, and white energies. He is in charge of all the other sovereign deities in the heavenly regions (i.e. celestial deities with the title “emperor” that reside in the heaven realms). His full title is The Great Emperor Heaven Official of Purple Subtlety of the Upper Primordial & Primary Grade Who Confers Blessings (上元一品賜福天官紫微大帝 Shangyuan Yipin Cifu Tianguan Ziwei Dadi).

The 15th day of the 1st Chinese lunar month, coinciding with the Yuanxiao/Lantern Festival, is observed as his birthday and is also known as the Shangyuan (Upper Primordial) Festival (上元節 Shangyuan Jie). It is believed that on this day, the Heaven Official descends to earth to inspect the world of mortals and to confer his blessings on them.

The Earth Official

The Great Emperor Earth Official is correlated with the Supreme Clarity Realm (上清境 Shangqing Jing) and embodies the essence of the energies of the primordial grotto and consolidated spirit and that of the extreme yellow. He is in charge of the five emperors of the Five Sacred Taoist Mountains, as well as all the other deities of the earth (i.e. terrestrial and locality gods). His full title is The Great Emperor Earth Official of Pristine Emptiness of the Middle Primordial & Secondary Grade Who Pardons Sins (中元二品赦罪地官清虛大帝 Zhongyuan Erpin Shezui Diguan Qingxu Dadi).

The 15th day of the 7th Chinese lunar month, coinciding with the Ghost Festival, is observed as his birthday and is also known as the Zhongyuan (Middle Primordial) Festival (中元節 Zhongyuan Jie). It is believed that on this day, the Earth Official descends to earth to inspect and assess the sins of mortals and to pardon them if he sees it is fit to do so.

The Water Official

The Great Emperor Water Official is correlated with the Jade Clarity Realm (玉清境 Yuqing Jing) and embodies the essence of the energies of wind and water and that of the vast dawn. He is in charge of all deities that reside in or are related to water. His full title is The Great Emperor Water Official of Pervasive Yin of Lower Primordial & Tertiary Grade Who Eliminates Distress (下元三品解厄水官洞陰大帝 Xiayuan Sanpin Jie E Shuiguan Dongyin Dadi).

The 15th day of the 10th Chinese lunar month is observed as his birthday and is also known as the Xiayuan (Lower Primordial) Festival (下元節 Xiayuan Jie). It is believed that on this day, the Water Official descends to earth to inspect and assess the sins of mortals and to eliminate their misfortune and distress if he sees it is fit to do so.

The Three Great Emperor Officials of Heaven (center), Earth (right), and Water (left)

(Image: Source unknown)

Taoist followers hold ceremonies in honor of the three emperor-officials on their respective birthdays to pray for good fortune and blessings and to eliminate calamities and disasters.

Text © 2011 Harry Leong