Shi Niu Dong Temple
石牛洞    

  张公圣君千秋 农历七月二十三 (1st September 2010)

 

张公圣君千秋 ‘ZHANG GONG SHEN JUN’  Cheng Chew

1) What occasion is this?

The most important day of our temple where our members and devotees celebrate our main deity 'Zhang Gong Shen Jun'(张公圣君) birthday.
 

2) When and where is it held?

The exact date is on the 23^rd of the Seventh Month (Lunar calendar) (农历七月二十三). As it is our main deity celebration, it will be the biggest event of the year held by our temple over a span of 8 days starting from 19th (28/8/10) to 26th of the lunar seventh month (4/9/10)

It will take place in a temporary tentage set up at a field beside Jalan Berseh Road, just behind the Berseh Food Center.

3) Why hold the celebration at other location rather than in the temple?

The huge number of devotees and visitors involved in these few days make it impossible for us to hold it at our temple premises.

Plans have been put in place to secure our own temple land within the next few years.  We hope to be able to have the event held at our own temple premises eventually. 

4) Why is at Jalan Berseh, it does not seem to be the most convenient location?

The main reason being this place had been used as our celebration venue for the past few years.

Quite a number of devotees who do not frequent visit our temple but are aware of this important date will come to this temporary location annually to seek blessings from our deity 'Zhang Kong Shen Jun' (张公圣君).

As records of previous devotees are not kept, we are unable to inform these devotees in the event of change of venue address.  A compilation of devotees record will be done by the nearest possible date.

Please click on "张公圣君诞辰2010" follow by "How to get there?" for the map showing the location of the celebration

5) Why is it held over so many days when the actual date is on the 1st Sep?

The reason for holding it over 8 days, excluding the first 2 days set aside for the tentage, is because of several other related activities which we will have leading up to the big day.  Even after the actual day, there will also be other co-related programmes.

Please click on "张公圣君诞辰2010" follow by "诞辰节目表" for the schedule of activities for devotees

6) What are these other activities?

At the start of our official celebration (26/08/10), our medium will cleanse and secure the tentage by placing spiritual soldiers over strategic location within and outside the tentage area.  At the auspicious hour, we will bring and invite our deities to be seated at the altars.

In the evening, our medium will be inviting the Dragon Emperor god from the sea to join in the entire 8-day celebration.

However ‘Ti Kong’(天公) will only be invited on the actual day of our deity ‘Zhang Gong Shen Jun' (张公圣君) birthday.  In the evening (31/08/10), deities from several temples will be invited to participate in a special feast while enjoying troupe performances.

7) What are the co-related programmed?

As space is not a constrain at the tentage, a complete and more elaborate 'Koh Koon' (犒军) ritual will be performed on Wednesday (1/09/10).

On Thursday (2/09/10) night, we will be hosting a dinner cum fund raising auction to thank our invited guests for their support.

We have set aside Friday (3/09/10) for our deities to bless the devotees.

8) Do we need to bring anything to wish our ‘Zhang Gong’ (张公) on this happy day?

Most prayer items such as bundled common joss sticks, joss papers and candles can be purchased at our reception counter.  Larger quantity and better quality prayer items and even fruits are also available for the sale at the same counter.

9) As there are many altars placed at different location of the tentage, is there a sequence in praying to them?

Yes, there is a sequence.  But if devotees wish to do it differently, our temple is acceptable to it.

For those who wish to follow our sequence: with 3 joss sticks each, first pray to the 'Yi Huang' altar (within tentage), followed by the 'Hei Lian Jiang Hun' altar (outside tentage where the black flag is placed). The next altar would be 'Hu Yeh' (tentage edge). Go to the enter of the main altar. Start at the centre urn, the right urn followed by left urn.

10) Can we participate in the ‘Koh Koon’ (犒军) activity?

Yes, anyone can participate in the event.  This routine is practiced by our temple every 2nd and 16th of the lunar month.  Devotees can bring their own food and joss papers to offer to the 'Koon' (军).  Devotees can also order the necessary offering from the temple if they wish to.  However, please place your order early as there is a cut-off time imposed by the supplier due to the large quantity needed.

The offerings will be distributed to the devotees after the ceremony.

11) As the celebration is spread over several days, which are the days that we devotees should come?

Most of our temple members will be present during this celebration period.  Various activities are held everyday.  It will depend on what the individual is hoping to seek. If you would just like to wish 'Zhu Gong' (主公) a happy birthday, then it will be most appropriate to do it on the actual day itself which is the 1st September.

12) Can we help in the celebration?

Any help rendered will be welcomed. Please approach our reception counter and we will be happy to let you know where you can help out.

LASTLY WE WISH THAT OUR DEITY ‘ZHANG GONG SHEN JUN’  (张公圣君) WILL HAVE A HAPPY YEAR ON HIS BIRTHDAY.

 

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Last modified: 08/15/10