Title: Sequence in a Shin Tam aka Sintua
javewu - May 10, 2007 11:37 AM (GMT)
Sequence of Paying Respect in a Shin Tam or Big Celebration Tentage
Till today, there are still a number of people doubt on the sequence of paying respect in a Shin Tam or Celebration Tentage.
Here’s some suggestions and advises on the sequences:
Step One:
Same rule applies, for us Taoists, we will entered a Spiritual Area from the Right Hand side (facing direction), which means that, we will entered from the Dragon Gate.
Step Two:
If you are comfortable with making a bow in-front of the altars, you can do it, if not, you can always proceed to get the Joss-sets from the Incenses Booth after entering the Shin Tam or Tentage.
Step Three:
After getting the Joss-set, place the Joss-papers on the Main Altar (where the Main Deities are). Usually for such an Event, the Joss-papers are mended for the Main Deities or the Deity who is celebrating his/her Birthday.
Step Four:
If there’s a pair of Candles in the Joss-sets, and no holders present on the Main Altar, proceed to the Jade Emperor’s Altar to light the Candles and place them into the holder, if not, place the Candles at the Main Altar.
Light the Incenses at the place where you place the Candles (Remind: Never light you incenses from the 7-Stars Lamp).
Step Five:
Pay your respect at the Jade Emperor’s Altar first (1), follow by Main Altar (2), the Right Altar from where you facing (usually will be the Five Generals’ Altar, if the position switched, always pay respect to them first before the Nether World Deities) (3), then to the left Altar (4) (where the Nether World Deities are), and then pay respect to the Tiger Deity Altar (5) and last, the Black Command Flag (Orh Leng Ki) (6).
In some places, the members of the Shin Tam or the Celebration will dedicate an Urn to Wang Ling Guan (Protector of Jade Emperor) or Door Deities, if so, pay respect to them first before offering your incenses to Tiger Deity.
Step Six:
After one round of paying respect, before you burnt off the Joss-papers, you can make your bow respect in-front of the Main Altar (can omit the Jade Emperor’s Altar this time round), sincerely kneel down to make your request(s) in-front of the Main Altar, if you do not have any request(s), can just simply make your birthday respect to the Deities.
After that, collect your Joss-papers and then send them for burning.
Step Seven:
After the burning of Joss-papers, if you are capable, make some donations/contributions to the Shin Tam or Celebration (into the Boxes).
Kneel there again to pay your leaving respect to the Deities and then collect your offerings (if you want to bring them back) and then make your leave.
Remember, try not to keep your stuffs in-front of the Deities, bring your offerings to one side to pack them up, this shows that you are respectful.
Step Eight:
Before you leave, simply make a bow in-front of the Jade Emperor’s Altar and leave the Celebration compound thru the Tiger Gate.
Till today, there are still a number of people doubt on the sequence of paying respect in a Shin Tam or Celebration Tentage.
Here’s some suggestions and advises on the sequences:
Step One:
Same rule applies, for us Taoists, we will entered a Spiritual Area from the Right Hand side (facing direction), which means that, we will entered from the Dragon Gate.
Step Two:
If you are comfortable with making a bow in-front of the altars, you can do it, if not, you can always proceed to get the Joss-sets from the Incenses Booth after entering the Shin Tam or Tentage.
Step Three:
After getting the Joss-set, place the Joss-papers on the Main Altar (where the Main Deities are). Usually for such an Event, the Joss-papers are mended for the Main Deities or the Deity who is celebrating his/her Birthday.
Step Four:
If there’s a pair of Candles in the Joss-sets, and no holders present on the Main Altar, proceed to the Jade Emperor’s Altar to light the Candles and place them into the holder, if not, place the Candles at the Main Altar.
Light the Incenses at the place where you place the Candles (Remind: Never light you incenses from the 7-Stars Lamp).
Step Five:
Pay your respect at the Jade Emperor’s Altar first (1), follow by Main Altar (2), the Right Altar from where you facing (usually will be the Five Generals’ Altar, if the position switched, always pay respect to them first before the Nether World Deities) (3), then to the left Altar (4) (where the Nether World Deities are), and then pay respect to the Tiger Deity Altar (5) and last, the Black Command Flag (Orh Leng Ki) (6).
In some places, the members of the Shin Tam or the Celebration will dedicate an Urn to Wang Ling Guan (Protector of Jade Emperor) or Door Deities, if so, pay respect to them first before offering your incenses to Tiger Deity.
Step Six:
After one round of paying respect, before you burnt off the Joss-papers, you can make your bow respect in-front of the Main Altar (can omit the Jade Emperor’s Altar this time round), sincerely kneel down to make your request(s) in-front of the Main Altar, if you do not have any request(s), can just simply make your birthday respect to the Deities.
After that, collect your Joss-papers and then send them for burning.
Step Seven:
After the burning of Joss-papers, if you are capable, make some donations/contributions to the Shin Tam or Celebration (into the Boxes).
Kneel there again to pay your leaving respect to the Deities and then collect your offerings (if you want to bring them back) and then make your leave.
Remember, try not to keep your stuffs in-front of the Deities, bring your offerings to one side to pack them up, this shows that you are respectful.
Step Eight:
Before you leave, simply make a bow in-front of the Jade Emperor’s Altar and leave the Celebration compound thru the Tiger Gate.