Title: A Traditional Taoist "kai-guan" of Deities.
Description: A typical China standard procedures.
REBORN - November 9, 2007 02:27 PM (GMT)
This is a typical China style "kai-guan" of Deities.
The place : The famous Man Shiu Shan Kun Cheng Dang:

The new set of Deities consist of Yu Huang Shang Di, Gui Gu Xian Shi, Tai Bai Jin Xing and Du Ti Gong:

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Introducing Gui Gu Xian Shi [鬼谷仙師] aka Wang Chan Zu Shi [王禪祖師]
Aniversary : 26th Day of 3rd Lunar Month

王禪祖師即鬼谷仙師,通稱鬼 谷 先生、鬼谷子。本姓王名詡。錄異記云:鬼 谷 先生者、古代高士,真仙也,自軒轅時代起,歷經商周朝,曾隨太上老君赴西域流沙國修道,後返周,居漢濱(漢水之濱)鬼谷山,弟子百餘人,蘇秦、張儀皆拜其門下,惟不慕神仙,勤學縱橫之術,餘如名將龐涓、孫臏等亦為鬼 谷子 先生弟子。
鬼 谷 先生又被說是戰國人,以鄉里為名,本姓王名利,又名?,號玄微子,在世數百年,不知所終。
拾遺記指 「 鬼谷 」 為今之湖北省遠安縣之東南,青溪(亦名清溪)之西有鬼谷洞,鬼 谷 先生在此地傳授仙術,鬼 谷 先生傳云: 「 楚有清溪,下深千仞,其水靈異 」 ,可證清溪實為鬼谷仙師最後之居處。
列仙全傳載:鬼谷仙師常入雲夢采藥,顏如少童,居青溪之鬼谷。在人間數百歲,著作有 「 陰符 」 、 「 鬼谷子 」 二書。後世人因其精通玄學,遂奉為算命卜卦業之祖師;又傳鬼谷先師雙目失明,以鏡掩之,故又為民間眼鏡業奉祀為祖師。臺北市設有 「 鬼谷先師紀念堂 」 ,為先師第七十二代傳人陳英略所設,民間咸以王禪祖師之名奉祀。
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Introducing Tai Bai Jin Xing [太白金星] aka Cai Di Xing Jun [财帝星君] :

太白金星是道教神仙中知名度最高的神之一,在普通百姓中的影响很大,现今人们对他的认识就是一位白发苍苍、表情慈祥的老人,他忠厚善良,主要职务是玉皇大帝的特使,负责传达各种命令,因而受到人们的喜爱。 在我国本土宗教——道教中,太白金星可谓是核心成员之一,论地位仅在三清(太上老君,元始天尊,通天教主)之下。最初道教的太白金星神是位穿着黄色裙子,戴着鸡冠,演奏琵琶的女神,明朝以后形象变化为一位童颜鹤发的老神仙,经常奉玉皇大帝之命监察人间善恶,被称为西方巡使。在我国古典小说中,多次出现太白金星的传奇故事,可见他的人气之旺。在脍炙人口的《西游记》中,太白金星就是个多次和孙悟空打交道的好老头。
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Yu Huang Shang Di [玉皇上帝]

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Du Ti Gong :

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Once the preparation is ready, this simple but comprehensive ritual started. The 'hosts' are instructed to pay respects to the temple's Deities and request their assistances in the rituals:

The Spritual Master (Master Simon Li), then also request the assistance of Guan Ying Pusa:

He then prepares the red ink (needed for the doting:

REBORN - November 9, 2007 11:49 PM (GMT)
The first statue to be 'kai-guan' or 'dotted' (?) is Yu Huang Shang Di.
The statue is place on top of the host's head:

A mirror is used. The reflection on the mirror is dotted as the Master Li chanted the mantra/scripts:





REBORN - November 10, 2007 12:01 AM (GMT)
Next, was Tai Bai Jin Xing. Similiarly, the statue was placed on the host' head:




This is what I called 'fully concentrating'.
Pure faith!

REBORN - November 10, 2007 12:10 AM (GMT)
Next, was Gui Gu Xian Shi. This is the host's Master. He has been studying under him for more than 19 years! Took him a long long time to find this statue:




REBORN - November 10, 2007 12:17 AM (GMT)
Last but not least, Du Ti Gong.
In respect for Guan Ying Pusa, the statue is held at eye-level (not on top of the head).



REBORN - November 10, 2007 12:25 AM (GMT)
The 'host' then speaks to the Deities, asking for blessing and protection:

The urns are then blessed:

The 'kai-guan' job is completed. Look at the difference!

REBORN - November 10, 2007 12:38 AM (GMT)
Next, come the most important part - The 'Blessing' & 'Thanksgving' rituals:
(Notice Master Li is now wearing a Taoist Priest robe?)





The 'host' then seek permission to send the newly 'kai-guan' Deities home by pua. It's a sheng pua!

A small token of appreciation:

REBORN - November 10, 2007 12:42 AM (GMT)
Home Sweet Home
More chanting and blessing....


