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Thursday, July 02, 2009

致初学者的一封信

I found online the following article very helpful for Chinese metaphysics practitioners:

致初学者的一封信(关于初学者学习易学术数的一些基本说明含书籍推荐介绍)

关于初学者学习易学术数的一些基本说明,仅为个人一家之言。以下经验仅给初学者观摩,是笔者多年来与易学者特别是初学者打交道以及对一些热销书籍的总结,会经常修订更新。

一、初学者选书书目:
初学者如果只想以最简单的方式去了解,也不想花太多精力,想轻松一些的话,那么选李居明或者是苏民峰的是最好,他们的商业运作很成功,书可以让你看完后还想再看的冲动,很多人都想买全套来看,但是对有志于专业化研究的同学来说,是远远不够的。修习佛学的有些书籍可以看看李居明的,毕竟枯燥的佛经一般人不太愿意看,但是李居明的书一般人都愿意看,虽然他是东密真言宗。
如果想专业化一些,就要有坚持的耐心,据统计的经验,在任何行业用功有效时间达到一千小时,你基本可以成为这个行业的专家了。
学习之前先要有个准备,就是问自己:我要学什么?学习的目的是什么?
我不主张人人都去搞预测,毕竟玄学不是科学,不是百分百的东西,做个了解是可以的,玄学毕竟是传统文化的重要组成部分。
1、易理及梅花六爻类
不懂易理,术数水平要想真正提高,绝不可能。学习易理有助于你搞懂自己学习的目的。
张延生是一个易学实力派人物,张延生的作品(易学入门、易学应用、易象延、易与和谐、心易、气易)是研究易理者的首选,相信可惜能真正看懂的并不多。易理方面建议还是看一些上海古籍出版社和中华书局出版的古籍影印本,原汁原味。
梅花的古籍可以看《梅花易数》,现代的可以看台湾的梁湘润、王士文,大陆的黄鉴都比较畅销。
六爻的精华在古籍中很多,尤其是七大经典《易隐》、《卜筮正宗》、《增删卜易》、《易林补遗》、《易冒》、《火珠林》、《断易天机》。推荐书目:陈圆《周易预测学入门》、邵伟华《周易预测学》或者《周易预测学讲义》、李洪成《六爻预测技术入门》。日本人著的《高岛断易》是海外研究六爻和易理必读的一本好书,无论是作者还是译者水平都很高。需要读现代人的书提高水平的可以看李洪成、王虎应、曲炜、李顺祥、吕文艺等人的,都属于畅销品种。

2、四柱类
就是八字类,以现代人为主,可以看陈圆《四柱预测学入门》、李洪成《四柱预测技术入门》,李居明的《四柱算命术》是四柱类无错字的好版本,目前只有繁体版的,习惯认简体字的人读得可能有点费劲,李居明书最大的好处是可以培养兴趣。中级最好的就是朱祖夏《命理应用精解》上下册,这个是千百人所公认的,超级热销,但是纸张不怎么好。高级的象邵伟中的《四柱高级班理论》、李后启《命理精析》、曲炜的《二十一论》等,新派的可以看李涵辰的著作。古籍有《渊海子平》、《三命通会》、《穷通宝鉴》、《命理探原》,比较接近现代理论的书是《子平真诠》和《滴天髓》。其他的畅销作者有:李洪成、李顺祥、曲炜、李顺祥、吕文艺等等,可以提高水平。港台名家的书建议多读,如梁湘润、宋英成、光莲、吴怀云等。

3、风水类
在风水之前要说一句,因为风水相对比较复杂,没有基础或者不想钻研的人请看李居明与苏民峰的书,要是连九宫飞星、七星打劫、开城门这些基本概念都不懂会很麻烦的。李居明的《学风水的第一本书》,可以先看看,但是看这个之前又要懂点卦,不然八宅法这种基本的东西都用不了。
这里引用网上的一段话:典籍看刘伯温等著的《地理全书》就可以了:
《地理全书》几乎囊括了明代以前所有的风水典籍,比较全面。缺点就是字体小,印刷质量稍欠。还有一本《地理天机会元》也是集成了很多经典的古籍。
另外建议看几本书:
《阳宅实用风水讲义》。朱祖夏先生著,目前最好的一本玄空风水阳宅书籍。
《玄空飞星风水》林国雄的书,浅显易懂,还介绍了配合楼层断风水的方法。
《古易玄空学新探》胡京国先生著,风水入门的好书。
胡京国还有一本《玄空精断》是进阶书。
《沈氏玄空学》风水入门必读,除了北斗七星打劫说法不清楚外,其它皆应仔细读。
《玄空地理丛谭》钟义明先生著。一套解说玄空风水知识及释评众家玄空派长处的好书,并有玄空诀窍解说、堪验实例。非常值得一看及收藏。
另外峦头方面,钟义明先生的《地理峦头实务》是峦头方面的好书,介绍详细,图文并茂。
《三元九运-玄空地理考验注解》也是钟义明先生所写,专门解说分析三元九运的一套好书。
过路阴阳就看冯化成《过路阴阳》
金锁玉关就看钟义明的《金锁玉关》
八宅法看《八宅明镜》
其他的畅销作者,大家可以选的有:朱祖夏、钟义明、王亭之、吕文艺等等,学习风水要注意派别。

4、手面相
想看得比较有意思就看李居明的《学睇相》,提高水平要多看陈鼎龙、萧湘居士、盛书笙的书;除了现代的人之外,古籍是一个提高水平的重要方面,尤其象麻衣神相、柳庄相法、水镜相法、三世相法等等,推荐一本《图解相学秘籍全编》上下册,荟萃各种相书古籍。有许多相学精品流落在民间,民间收藏的相学许多有很实用的价值,可以帮助你多一个角度思考问题。

5、奇门遁甲
最好就是张志春、王凤麟和么学声,入门就是张志春《神奇之门》和后继系列,最好看他的全套。他的徒弟杜新会的书也一定要看;王凤麟每年都要有好几期培训班,资料比较多而复杂,他有几本经典可以看,其中有合订本,也是非常超值,注意观察。

5、六壬
《袖里乾坤》,以及其他很多六壬金口诀方面的书;

6、太乙
《太乙通解》《太乙神数》;

7、铁板神数
多看马川的;

8、紫微斗数
这个入门书太多了,王亭之《紫数斗数初级讲义》,还有其他人的《紫微斗数一学就通》等,再往高级就是看慧心斋主、紫云、潘子渔系列的,一般公认紫云代表最高水平。陈雪涛的书比较受欢迎,例如《紫微明镜》《紫微启示录》等;而陈世兴特别善于写婚姻,他的作品几乎全是谈婚姻的。

9、姓名学
一般有五格取名法,但是按笔划数的话就和易经术数无关了,所以一般会结合八字取名的比较多。畅销品种有李居明《姓名改运学》,进阶的有马瑞成的全系列、易隐燕、张泊作品;

11、解灾改运与符咒
一般性的了解,而且也是相当有趣味性的就是《移神换将》,此为荟萃与经典,其他如《犁头巫家》和《四两拨千斤》也是相当的畅销。至于符咒那就更加的神奇,但是符咒只看书是没有用的,一定要有师傅来传。台湾最近出了不少关于符咒的光盘和教程,例如玄光居士和陈龙羽都是初中高都可以看着玩玩,网络也是公开媒体,我也不好说太多,建议大家本着娱乐的精神去看待。

12、基础书(周易原文)
  如果不读周易原文,而想彻底搞懂周易基本是不可能的,万丈高楼平地起,基础越牢,对后面的学习帮助越大。建议采用中国易经协会会长、哲学教授刘大钧著的《周易概论》,其他如上海古籍出版社、商务印书馆等较大的出版社出版的《周易》都是比较可靠的。南怀瑾老师倡导的儿童经典导读中心出版的原文《易经》,可以帮助大家认识和听懂一些难读的字,本站提供免费下载。还告诉大家一个小秘密:多读周易原文,可以帮助提高悟性,此言真实不虚,也是学习学好周易的不二法门!记住六十四卦的名字,本人推荐一套方法,不用一个小时能全部记住。欲知详情,请到本站论坛。

二、选书态度:很多初学者总是问别人:你的书是不是正版的?纸张太差我不要,或者有错别字我不要。
我们首先要明白,为什么没有正版书?主要是因为出版社一般不可能把书号用在命理书上的,虽然现在社会开放,但是易学研究主要是在大学高校以及周易研究会等民间组织中进行交流,很多大学里的选修教材都是内部交流的,老师们自已开班也是内部交流的,所以书和复印件是各占半壁江山。只有张志春老师在花山出版社出版过《神奇之门》等正版书,但是已经绝版。杜新会在江苏文艺出版社也有奇门的正版本,这些都是少之又少的。现实情况据笔者统计,邵伟华的《周易预测学》五个版本,只有《周易预测学讲义》是没有错别字的(这本就是周易预测学,内容一样),四柱预测学只有一本红版没有错别字。还有例如李后启《八字精析》是一本很好的书,有少许错别字,但是不影响阅读,看了以后绝对对功力提升有很大帮助。我店一直不断优化品种,在尽可能的情况下选用无错字的版本的。还有一种常见的问题就是,你的资料太贵了。一个东西的价格是以它的价值来衡量的,买资料要量力而行,要列个计划,最好能以易养易(如与别人交换或者自己掌握一门技术能为别人服务适当收取报酬等),形成良性循环。诚然,有人买了资料学习后,确实感觉没有学到东西,这里面有两个原因,一是确实资料本身没有价值,一是自己水平不够,看不懂或把宝当成草,而误以为没有学到东西。要知道,你如果不去学习,就永远不会有进步。学习永远是最重要的事,投资于脖子以上的部分永远是最值得的。树立良好的选书态度非常重要。

三、个人心得:
  周易(易经)是什么?是讲时间在空间里的运行规律!世俗的方面讲可以指导人类如何更好的生存。按照周易的启示去做,你的人生一定受益无穷!万般神通皆小术,唯有空空是大道。术数只是一种方便,要善于运用。万法皆空,因果不空,菩萨畏因不畏果,建议看看《了凡四训》,对你的人生会有莫大帮助!记住:众善奉行,诸恶莫作最为紧要!关于佛学、心理学、成功学的话题,不在此讨论。

重要叮嘱:易学、佛经是迷宫,进门后一定要学会出得了门,易曰:“知得也要知丧”,当你得到了一些东西的时候,你也会失去一些东西。诚然,人生从某种意义上讲,没有绝对的好、坏、善、恶,而在于你的选择。为什么还要特别提醒呢?因在现实中接触不少易友,一学什么易或练什么功,就顾及不到其他方面,给家庭社会造成一些不好的影响。古曰:平常心是道!不要把自己标榜成与别人不一样,否则你会一事无成。要明白你只是一个凡人,不要以为自己学易了就有什么了不起。“法、侣、财、地”(简单讲就是方法、同道、财力、环境)是学好功法,其实也是学好易经的最好指导。千万不要指望学易来发大财,否则你将走上不归路。以此为职业的人,是有宿因的。薄迦梵歌曰:要把成与败、得于失等同看待。患得患失不是学易人应有的心态。“好好工作,养家糊口,业余修习,平凡一生”这是吾师给本人的开示和指导,希望易友也能从中得到启发!

你我相识于网络,是一种缘份,希望我们不仅是书友,更是朋友!最后以一句话与大家共勉:天行健,君子以自强不息;地势坤,君子以厚德载物!

买前必读注意事项:1、众多周易书籍、命理书籍市面从未出版过,仅供爱好者阅读,不可能有正式出版物,请不要为难店主;2、如果看不懂或者学习有困难是正常现象,不要责怪店主或者指责书有问题;3、店家会尽力帮买家催件和查件,但对邮局和快递公司的服务态度与时间无力控制,大家理智的分清快递和店家的责任,以促进我们更好的服务。其他事宜请参见本店口号!4、购书前请慎重考虑,因为责任是买者自负,请慎重再慎重,没有需要请不要随意购买,不要在买后向卖家提出无理要求。请不要刁难店主,积善行德是为人之本!

Saturday, April 04, 2009

Taoist FAQ

I have found a Taoist site with a FAQ in Chinese on common questions on Taoism. I find it very helpful:

http://www.daoinfo.org/?q=qna

Cheers
Alvin Chua
礼水君

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Pi Xiu 貔貅

Bi Xie, Pi Xiu 貔貅or Pei Yao (in Cantonese) has become a common commercial Feng Shui product in recent years. Many well-known masters recommend it during consultation but whether it works or not, no one knows for sure. A feng shui master once told me that the number of toes on a Bi Xie represents different functions (for health, wealth or protection), e.g. 3 toes, 4 toes or 5 toes. According to him, in ancient China, Bi Xie is never found in homes but rather at the entrance of royal cemeteries / tombs, acting as guardian spirits to the area. So unless you stay in a royal tomb…

The belief in this mystical creature started as early as the Western Han Dynasty. While it is known now to have only one horn, ancient Bi Xie are found to have two horns sometimes. It is said to devour gold and silver and possess no anus to take a dump, hence it is a wonderful wealth-sucking pet to have at home. It is also believed the creature can absorb evil and protect its owner. It is normally required to be spiritually empowered (Kai Kuang) before it can start its job in any household. But sad to say I have seen many pairs of the creature disowned at a temple in Tanjong Pagar, abandoned in the backyard like pets abandoned to SPCA by their callous owners.

Did these owners think that their Bi Xie have not been working hard for them? Or are all these talk about its wealth benefits not true? Or the master did not empower the Bi Xie correctly? Actually, when a cure needs to be spiritually empowered, it is no more under the scope of Feng Shui but belongs more to the field of spiritual and religious skills. Thus, not all Feng Shui practitioners are taught how to do it effectively.

I think I should not talk further about this mystical creature since I am not officially taught anything about it and have no first hand experience with it. But a word of caution to all, “Caveat Emptor” or buyers beware, don’t be duped into spending thousands of dollars for it (especially if it is not empowered). And don’t think that having the red dot of the cinnabar (Zhu Sha) means it is empowered. In places like Hong Kong where feng shui products are mass- produced, businessmen are known to dot their products to make people think it is empowered.

By the way, I don’t sell Bi Xie.

Regards
Alvin Chua Kim Leng

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Sunday, March 22, 2009

Do I need to be initiated to be a Daoist?

First of all, we need to know that the term “Daoist” actually refers to two groups of people, the initiates道士and the lay believers, known as信徒in Chinese. The majority of Daoists belongs to the latter, in other words, they are devotees of certain Daoist deities. Thus, festive celebrations and worshipping are their primary activities. Visits to the temples and having a home altar is common too. To become a Daoist of this group is an unceremonious and simple process. One just has to be a devotee. On the other hand, to be a true Daoist initiate in every sense of the word, one needs to be accepted and trained by an accredited master into one of the ancient Daoist lineages and oaths must be taken. In due time, good knowledge of the main Daoist scriptures and rituals must be learned. Some talismanic sects also required the initiate to receive a Daoist Lu (register) which serves as a sign of authority granted.
“身心顺理,为道是从,故称道士”
“One who devotes the body and mind to practising the Dao is known as a Daoist”.

Regards

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Filipino Shen Gong

I was watching the documentary “Taboo” and it featured a unorthodox religious group of the Philippines that is a combination of their folk culture and Catholicism. This offshoot of mainstream Catholicism practices what seems to be activities and beliefs similar to certain so-called Taoist sects. These Catholics believe in the use of talismans and amulets. They also invoke the spiritual protection bestow by Jesus Christ via rituals and proceed on to hacking the disciples with a machete (aka parang) to proof the efficacy of their spiritual power. Sounds like the tang-kis and some spiritual practices of certain Taoist sects? You bet. The only difference is that instead of mantric gibberish being recited during the ritual, they actually chanted verses from the Bible. Truly amazing.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Pogo The Clown

The following is an extract from an interesting book titled “Quirkology” by Mr Richard Wiseman. It is about a research done on astrology:

“One of the most unusual and striking examples of this approach was reported by a group
of American researchers in the late 1980s, in a provocatively entitled article, `Astrology on Death Row'."

The researchers first found out the birth time, date, and place of the notorious serial murderer John Gacy. Gacy was a sadistic killer who received twelve death sentences and twenty-one life terms for the torture and killing of thirty-three men and boys. By dressing up as Pogo the Clown, and performing at children's birthday parties in his spare time, Gacy may have given rise to the notion of the `evil' clown. One of the researchers visited five professional astrologers, and presented Gacy's details as his own. The researcher explained to each astrologer that he was interested in working with young people, and asked for a general personality reading and some career advice. The astrologers got it badly wrong. One encouraged the researcher to work with young people because he could `bring out their best qualities'. Another analyzed the information provided and confidently predicted that the researcher's life would be `very, very positive'. A third said that he was `kind, gentle, and considerate of others' needs'.

The work of Hans Eysenck, Geoffrey Dean, and others show that heavenly predictions often fall far short of the mark.”

But another experiment mentioned in later part of the book did show some link with people's behaviour and the time they were born. Apparently, people who deem themselves lucky are generally more optimistic and more able to notice opportunities that come their way, compared to those who considers themselves to be the unlucky bunch. So what is the factor that make the former group more optimistic and more able to notice opportunities? The answer is most of them are born in the warmer months of each year. The later group are normally born in the cold wintry months of the year.

Cheers
Alvin Chua Kim Leng

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Finger length may predict financial success

An interesting article. Could there be some truth to the study of Palmistry?

By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID,AP Science Writer AP - Tuesday, January 13
WASHINGTON - The length of a man's ring finger may predict his success as a financial trader. Researchers at the University of Cambridge in England report that men with longer ring fingers, compared to their index fingers, tended to be more successful in the frantic high-frequency trading in the London financial district.
Indeed, the impact of biology on success was about equal to years of experience at the job, the team led by physiologist John M. Coates reports in Monday's edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The same ring-to-index finger ratio has previously been associated with success in competitive sports such as soccer and basketball, the researchers noted.
The length ratio between those two fingers is determined during the development of the fetus and the relatively longer ring finger indicates greater exposure to the male hormone androgen, the researchers noted.
Previous studies have found that such exposure can lead to increased confidence, risk preferences, search persistence, heightened vigilance and quickened reaction times.
In a separate study last year, Coates and colleagues reported that the hormone that drives male aggression and sexual interest also seemed able to boost short term success at finance.
They studied male financial traders in London, taking saliva samples in the morning and evening. They found that those with higher levels of testosterone in the morning were more likely to make an unusually big profit that day. Testosterone, best known as the male sex hormone, affects aggression, confidence and risk-taking.
In the new study, the researchers measured the right hands of 44 male stock traders who were engaged in a type of trade that involved rapid decision-making and quick physical reactions.
Over 20 months those with longer ring fingers compared to their index fingers made 11 times more money than those with the shortest ring fingers. Over the same time the most experienced traders made about 9 times more than the least experienced ones.
Looking only at experienced traders, the long-ring-finger folks earned 5 times more than those with short ring fingers.
While the finger ratio, showing fetal exposure to male hormones, appears to signal likely success in high-actively trading that calls for risk-taking and quick reactions, it may not indicate people who would do well at other sorts of financial activities, the researchers said.
Some traders require additional skills on dealing with clients and sales workers.
And the advantage may even reverse for some, Coates team said, such as traders taking a more analytical and long-term approach to the markets.
One study, which looked at average finger ratios in university departments found that faculty from math, science and engineering exhibited longer index finger ratio, rather than ring finger, they noted.
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On the Net:
PNAS: http://www.pnas.org

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Cows Have Strange Sixth Sense

By Jeremy Hsu, Staff Writer
posted: 25 August 2008 05:00 pm ET

A study of Google Earth satellite images has revealed that herds of cattle tend to face in the north-south direction of Earth's magnetic lines.

Staring at cows may not equal the thrill of spotting celebrities in public or rubbernecking at car accidents, but the researchers found nonetheless that our bovine friends display this strange sixth sense for direction.
Their field observations of red and roe deer also showed those animals facing toward magnetic north or south.

"Google Earth is perfect for this kind of research, because the animals are undisturbed by the observer," said Sabine Begall, a zoologist at the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany and coauthor on the study detailed in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Wind and time of day did not offer better explanations for why 8,510 cattle in 308 locations around the world would mostly face north-south. Shadows suggested that many of the images were taken on cloudless, sunny days, so Begall's group also factored in direct ground observations of cattle herds.

A strong wind or sunlight on a cold day have typically proved more the "exceptions to the rule" that might cause large animals to face away from magnetic north-south.
The data on 2,974 deer came from direct ground observations and photos in the Czech Republic. Researchers also examined fresh beds left by resting deer in the snow, where the animals had sought shelter deep in the forest away from the wind.
Both cattle and deer faced a more magnetic north-south direction rather than geographic north-south, (Earth's magnetic poles do not line up perfectly with the North and South Poles).

Previous research has shown that animals such as birds, turtles and salmon migrate using a sense of magnetic direction, and small mammals such as rodents and one bat species also have a magnetic compass.
Begall and fellow researchers became interested in seeing if larger mammals possessed a similar magnetic sense, following up on coauthor Hynek Burda's work on African mole-rats.

"Our first idea was to study sleeping directions of humans (e.g. when doing camping), but there are too many constraints," Begall told LiveScience. "So, the idea arose to look for other large mammals like cattle, and Hynek was fascinated when he recognized that cattle could be found on Google Earth satellite images."
Google Earth's convenience also came with some downsides. The researchers had to estimate the date, time of day, temperature and wind direction, and could not distinguish between head and rear for many of the cows because of low image resolutions.

However, the researchers suggest that the finding of large animals' sense of magnetic direction could raise other agricultural questions, such as whether keeping cows in barns facing east-west might affect milk production.

The above article was originally published here:
http://www.livescience.com/animals/080825-magnetism-cows.html

Regards
Alvin Chua Kim Leng

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Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Is Astrology necessary for Feng Shui Practice?

There is a recent surge of talk about practitioners having to be an Bazi or ZWDS expert in order to be a competent Feng Shui practitioner. But somehow I remember the old Masters of Feng Shui back in ancient China are non-practitioners of astrology like Bazi and ZWDS. Masters like Jiang Da Hong, Yang Yun Song and Zhang Zhong Shan never made any mention of the usage of astrology in their works. Hence, from my understanding, the notion that a competent Feng Shui practitioner must provide astrology consultation is a modern development. The analogy of Bazi or ZWDS as a diagnosis before any cure (Fengshui) can be applied has no historical basis. No authentic feng shui scripts talk about the use of Bazi and ZWDS alongside the practice of Feng Shui in them.

There’s also the scenario where a Bazi or ZWDS expert is asked by his clients for feng shui services but he was not an expert in the latter. He then subsequently brushes up his Feng shui skills and starts providing services of both astrology and feng shui skills, which explains why there’s so much focus on the need for Bazi or ZWDS skills since it is his forte and his fengshui is only elementary. Nevertheless, the clients can’t tell the differences and assumes that a Bazi expert must be equally good in feng shui.

Anyway to me, advices from astrologers are the same whether you are having bad luck or good luck. One will always be advised to work hard in order to see fruits of our labor. No one will tell you not to work hard any more assuming that you will be having a decade of good luck based on your astrological chart. Thus, end of the day, you ought to give 100% to whatever you do. The charts can only indicate the fruits of your labor.

Regards
Alvin Chu Kim Leng

Monday, December 15, 2008

2009 犯太歲的人 屬牛、羊、馬、龍、狗

2009年太歲己丑,生肖屬

-犯太歲 -沖太歲 -破太歲 -害太歲 -刑太歲

「刑」:象徵刑律、刑傷之意;抵觸相刑,亦稱伏吟。

「沖」:象徵沖擊、對抗之意;交戰相沖,亦稱反吟、歲破。

「破」:象徵損壞、破裂之意。

「害」:象徵不和、傷害、不合之意。

2009年之太歲為‘己丑’,姓名為︰潘蓋。相傳太歲主一年之禍福,犯太歲者大多有不測之災及損傷易破財,諸事欠順對財運身體都不利也易犯血災,官場的朋友易降職多小人之害,遠門不去,注意安全。

什么是太歲?

太歲是掌管一年凡間事務的天神,由六十位天界大將軍輪流值年,即中國的六十花甲。要知太歲的來歷典故必須從太歲的上司斗姆元君說來了。斗即北斗星群,姆即眾生得聖子,補裨造化,統悟[。一年春天,紫光夫人在后園九華曲池沐浴,忽然池中現出一寶座,紫光夫人登于寶座之上,得寶座靈氣修練得道,經七日七夜,紫光夫人化生金蓮九苞,蓮苞開花放射光芒,化成九座大寶樓閣,大寶樓閣混凝直射上天界,形成眾星群即斗姆生九子。斗姆九子即勾陳、北極、北斗中國三大星座,當中有六十顆星即為六十大將軍掌管人間每年事務,即為六十太歲了。由於眾星座中有不同位置,而這些位置古人亦以天干地支代表,而地支︰“子、丑、寅、卯、辰、巳、午、未、申、酉、戍、亥 ”即各星星座位置,亦即每年生肖。有刑、沖、破、害,故每年太歲與各人生肖便有機會出現刑衝破害的效應,而出現所謂的犯太歲了。

我國相傳如犯太歲之人,可用拜太歲之祈福方法來消災解難:

太歲共有六十名,而每年即由一位主管當年之神,管治民間百姓當年內發生之事變。若是開罪或沖犯,則會帶來以上之不祥效應。所以俗話說︰「太歲當頭坐,無福便有禍,無喜必有災。」我國相傳如犯太歲之人,可用拜太歲安太歲之祈福方法來消災解難。

人的出生生肖與太歲有著刑沖破害的不利關系,因恐冒犯太歲,故便有拜太歲的風俗傳統,其生肖與太歲刑沖破害,亦即天星十二宮位的關系。而十二生肖的刑沖破害亦有其不同的力量及影響,現簡介如下︰

︰刑即滿的意思,即生肖五行過旺,旺極而衰的現象,刑亦殘缺,傷損及轉衰之象。

︰沖即沖著而來的意思,有相戰的味道,是四種之中最猛烈碰撞的一種。

︰破即有散亂及移動之象,破不及沖及刑的碰撞猛烈,是較為輕微的一種冒犯。

︰害即與另一個生肖不能相合,命理稱為破合,即強行分開;與親,朋關係容易發生矛盾,不合諧。

沖犯太歲者一年之內會有不少麻煩,甚至會有凶災,原來以為很順利的事也老是出問題還易出意外的凶險,犯太歲的年份常常被認為是一個不吉利的年份故應特別注意。

There are alot of versions on which zodiac animals are actually in the , and relationship but based on what I have checked, the ones above should be the correct version. I have also attached the forecast of the Zodiac for 2009 on my Multiply site, courtesy of the Juxianguan website.

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Thursday, November 20, 2008

Instructional DVD on Min Nan Dialect

I was at a Bra Basah shop selling VCD and DVD on Chinese Qigong and martial arts and I stumbled upon a DVD that teaches the Min Nan dialect, or more commonly known as Hokkien. I was tempted to buy it as it was very nicely packaged and only cost $19.90.

I strongly believe that the Singapore youth nowdays should buy and master the language.
We must perpetuate our history and be proud of our heritage.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Liuren Sect In New York

The following site is of a New York-based Liuren sect Daoist:

http://wanderingtaoist.net/index.html

Thursday, October 23, 2008

English Translation of the Taoist Eight Great Spiritual Mantras 八大神咒

After trying for the past few days but still unable to find the English translation of the Taoist Eight Great Spiritual Mantras online, I decided to do it myself. I tried to refer to as many sources as possible but I still believe there may be mistakes.

教八大神咒 (The Taoist Eight Spiritual Mantras)

淨心神咒 (Jin Sim Sin Jiew)

Divine Incantation for Purifying of the Heart

太上台星。應變無停。

The Highest Terrace Stars (refers to the 3 Terrace Stars of the North Dipper 三台星), with its eternal adaptive nature

驅邪縛魅。保命護身。

Rid the evil and fight the ghostly. Protect one’s life and body.

智慧明淨。心神安寧。

Give one’s mind clarity. Bring peace to one’s heart

三魂永久。魄無喪傾。

Eternalize one’s Three Hun(s). Keep the Po(s) from negative inclinations.

急急如律令。

Execute (the order) with haste as if an imperial command.


 

淨口神咒 (Jin Kow Sin Jiew)

Divine Incantation for Purifying of the Mouth

丹朱口神。吐穢除氛。

“Dan Zhu” the Mouth Deity. Expel the filth and remove the vapor.

舌神正倫。通命養神。

“Zheng Lun” the Tongue Deity. Prolong one’s life and nourish one’s spirit.

羅千齒神。卻邪衛真。

“Luo Qian” the Teeth Deity. Rid the evil and protect the sacred.

喉神虎賁。氣神引津.

“Hu Ben” the Throat Deity. The energy and spirit guides the fluid.

心神丹元。令我通真。

“Dan Wan” the Heart Deity. Enable me to achieve immortality.

思神煉液。道氣長存。

“Lian Yi” the Mind Deity. One’s energy and the Dao will merge and exists eternally.

急急如律令。

Execute (the order) with haste as if an imperial command.



淨身神咒 (Jin Sin Sin Jiew)

Divine Incantation for Purifying of the Body

靈寶天尊。安慰身形。

The Heavenly Worthy of the Numinous Treasure. Pacify one’s bodily form.

弟子魂魄。五臟玄冥。

Thy disciple’s souls. Dark and mysterious are the five internal organs.

青龍白虎。對仗紛紜。

Green Dragon and White Tiger. Of chaotic battle.

朱雀玄武。侍衛我真。

Vermilion Bird and Mysterious Warrior. Guard my immortal nature.

急急如律令。

Execute (the order) with haste as if an imperial command.



安土地神咒 (An Tor Tay Sin Jiew)
Divine Incantation for Settling of the Earth God

元始安鎮。普告萬靈。

The Primordial one pacifies and secures. Announce this to the 10,000 spirits.

岳瀆真官。土地祗靈。

Immortal Officials of the 5 Mountains (五岳) and 4 Rivers (四渎). Deities of the Earth.

左社右稷。不得妄驚。

Earth Deities on the left and God of Grains (谷神) on the right. Forbid all chaos.

回向正道。內外澄清。

Return to the Orthodox Way. Be settled, both internally and externally.

各安方位。備守壇庭。

All set in their respective positions. Guard the Shrine hall.

太上有命。搜捕邪精。

Order from the Highest One. Capture all evil demons.

護法神王。保衛誦經/安寧。

Protector God-king. Protect the recitations / peace.

皈依大道。元亨利貞。

Seek refuge in the Great Dao. Originating, penetrating, advantageous, correct and firm (The Four Virtues of the Qian Trigram).


淨天地神咒 (Jin Thian Tay Sin Jiew)
Divine Incantation for Purifying of Surroundings (Heaven and Earth)

天地自然。穢氣分散。

Natural are the Heaven and Earth. The negative energies are dispersed.

洞中玄虛。晃朗太元。

The Mysterious and Emptiness are in the destiny. The Bright Great Primordial.

八方威神。使我自然。

The courageous Deities of the eight directions. Manifest my spontaneous nature.

靈寶符命。普告九天。

Talismanic command of the Numinous Treasure. Report to the Nine Heavens.

乾羅達那。洞罡太玄。

Qian Luo Ta Na (Sanskrit name of a Deity General), The Ultimate Mysterious of the Pole Star’s arcana (Name of another Deity General).

斬妖縛邪。度人[殺鬼]萬千。

Execute the demons and fight the evil. Salvage tens of million people.

中山神咒。元始玉文。

Holy incantation of the central mountain. The Jade Text of the Primordial One.

持誦一遍。卻病延年。

Chant it once. It prevents diseases and prolongs one’s life.

按行五嶽。八海知聞。

Travels over the Five Mountains. Heard over the Eight Seas.

魔王束手。侍衛我軒。

Bound are the hands of the Demon King. Guard my carriage.

凶穢消散。道氣長存。

Dispersed is the malevolent filth. One’s energy and the Dao will merge and exists eternally.

急急如律令。

Execute (the order) with haste as if an imperial command.



金光神咒 (Kim Khong Sin Jiew)
Divine Incantation of the Golden Light

天地玄宗。萬氣本根。

The Mysterious Sect of the Heaven and Earth. The 10,000 energies of the same origin.

廣修億劫。證吾神通。

Surpass a hundred million disasters with diligent cultivation. Validate one’s miraculous abilities.

三界內外。惟道獨尊。

Inside and outside the Three Spiritual Realms. Only the Dao is of utmost respect.

體有金光。覆映吾身。

Golden aura surrounds the body. It covers myself.

視之不見。聽之不聞。

Look but cannot be seen. Listen but cannot be heard.

包羅天地。養育群生。

Encompasses the Heaven and Earth. Nourishes all living beings.

受持萬遍。身有光明。

Recite 10,000 times. The self will manifest brightness.

三界侍衛。五帝司迎。

The Three Spiritual Realms will protect. The Five Emperors will welcome.

萬神朝禮。役使雷霆。

10,000 deities will pay obeisance. Using the thunderbolts.

鬼妖喪膽。精怪忘形。

The ghosts and demons tremble in fear. The evil spirits lose their forms.

內有霹靂。雷神隱名。

The thunder claps within. The hidden name of the Thunder God.

洞慧交徹。五炁騰騰。

Knowledge of the Arcana is exchanged. The Five energies arise.

金光速現。覆護真人。

Golden Aura manifests immediately. Covers the immortal.

急急如玉皇光降律令。

Execute (the order) with haste as if an imperial command of the Jade Emperor’s Descending Light.


祝香神咒 (Jiok Hiong Sin Jiew)
Divine Incantation for Offering of Incense

道由心學。心假香傳。

The learning of the Dao originates from the heart. Incense carries the message of the heart.

香爇玉爐。心存帝前。

The jade urn is warmed by the incense. The heart resides before the Emperor.

真靈下盼。仙旆臨軒。

The immortal spirit watches from above. The flag of the deities arrives before the carriage.

令民關告。逕達九天。

The official reports. Reaching the Nine Heavens.


開經玄蘊咒 (Kai Kheng Hian Woon Jiew)

Mysterious Incantation for Opening of the Scriptures


雲篆太虛。浩劫之初。

Talismanic Writings of the Great Void. Exists since the beginning of the great catastrophe.

乍遐乍邇。或沉或浮。

Near at times and far during others. Sink at times and float during others.

五方徘徊。一丈之餘。

Back and forth in the Five Directions. Exceeds the length of one zhang (Chinese unit of measure)

天真皇人。按筆乃書。

Heavenly Imperial immortal. Ready to write with brush.

以演洞章。次書靈符。

Write the arcana scriptures with ritualistic practice. Followed by writing of the sacred talismans.

元始下降。真文誕敷。

The Primordial One descends. To teach the True scriptures.

昭昭其有。冥冥其無。

Clear and bright when present. Dark and shrouded when absent. (Means the teachings are not easily understood in words and requires the right understanding)

沉疴能自痊。塵勞溺可扶。

Serious illness can be healed by itself. And help for those who drown in the material world.

幽冥將有賴。由是升仙都。

Assistance will come when in the dark realms. Ascension to the Immortal Realm.

Regards

Alvin Chua Kim Leng

References used for the translation:

1. Taoist Master Chuang by Michael R. Saso

2. Daoism: A Short Introduction by James Miller

3. Daoism Handbook by Livia Kohn

4. 道教综合文化学术网 http://www.8850911.com/2007/12-22/17320773023.html

5. 道教八大神咒释义 http://www.auyou.cn/blog/diaryinfo-66566.html

八大神咒 - 注释 (The Eight Daoist Spiritual Mantras with Commentaries)

八大神咒

神咒,指天神的语言,有神通法力的秘语。<皇经集注)卷五《神咒品第一章》:“以经中秘法语,能度人篆仙,制星,制魔,制水,镇五方,济法界,故日神咒。”道教认为咒乃天神所颁,得之者可以役使鬼神。早期道经<太平经》云:“天上有常神圣要语,吋下授人以言,用使神吏应气而来往也,人众得之,谓之神咒也。”道教神咒主要用于祈禳、治病等场合。并要求念诵时,身心洁净,虔诚、存心诵之而往往灵验。修炼之人诵之,有助于入静炼养。

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净心神咒

太上台星,应变无停。驱邪缚魅,保命护身‘。智慧明净,心神安宁“。三魂永久,魄无丧倾。急急如律令*

[注释]

①净心神咒:道教法事活动中常用“八大神咒”之一。主要用于早坛功课、道场法事及学练符法咒语。念诵此咒,能起到净化身心、排除杂念干扰、安宁心神等作用。同时,亦有助于修炼功法之人做入静功夫。

②太上台星,应变无停:“太上”,本意最上。道教“三清”之一,居太清真境,名道德天尊。道教尊为教主。“台星”,即北斗星之三台星。此句意为道教最尊之神“太上”(即道)无处不存,无所不在,应变无停,观察世间万事万物的变化。

③驱邪缚魅,保命护身:紧接上句“太上台星,应变无停”,意指太上()随所感应,无处不在,真心修道之人其身心自然得到护佑,任何邪魅鬼魃皆不敢侵犯。

④智慧明净,心神安宁:“智慧”,即对事物的认识辨析、判断处理和发明创造的能力。“明净”,明白而洁净。此句意为做好任何事情都要心神安宁,守一专心,就能智慧开明,神通恢廓。

⑤三魂永久,魄无丧倾:“三魂”,按<云笈七签):“人有三魂,一名胎光,二名爽灵,三名幽精。胎光主生命,爽灵主财禄,幽精主灾衰。”“魄”,据<云笈七签)云:“魄有七魄,分别为尸狗、伏矢、雀阴、吞贱、非毒、除秽、臭肺。”“三魂七魄”是道教对魂魄的总称。《参同契):“阳神曰魂,阴神曰魄。”此句意指道教中人要掌握控制“三魂”,御制“七魄”的功法,以保养元和,御制鬼神。

⑥急急如律令:“急急”,原意是紧急、急速之意。“如律令”,如律敕之令。此句在道教法事中和炼符法时常用,意为天神颁敕,天神号令,须急急奉行,不得延误。

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净口神咒

丹朱口神,吐秽除氛。舌神正伦,通命养神‘。罗千齿神,却邪卫真”。喉神虎责,炁神引津。心神丹元,令我通真‘。思神炼液,道炁常存。急急如律令。

[注释]

①净口神咒:道教法事活动常用“八大神咒”之一。念诵此咒,意在使人口部诸神归位,消除口业,涤除浊气,以清洁之口诵念经文。同时,念诵此咒还有助于修炼者做入静功夫。

②丹朱口神,吐秽除氛:“丹朱”,即口神。“吐秽除氛”意即吐故纳新,口吐浊气,鼻引清气。方法有嘘、呵、咽、吹、呼、嘻六气法。<抱朴子内篇。微旨):“明吐纳之道者,则曰惟行气可以延年矣。”<太平御览)云:“真人道士常吐纳以和六液。”

③舌神正伦,通命养神:“舌神正伦”,据<黄庭内景经.至道章):“……舌神通命字正伦。”此句意指舌能司声咽津,性命得通,正其五味,而各有伦理。“通命养神”,通宿命,静养元神。以丹道而言,能通命者保精也,养神者炼性也,内含性命双修之意。

④罗千齿神,却邪卫真:按《黄庭内景经.至道章):“……齿神锷峰字罗干。”其“罗干”能摧罗万物而食之。此句意为道教中人修炼好“齿神”,使邪魅不能侵犯,真神得到

保护。

⑤喉神虎贲,羔神引津:“喉神”即虎贲。“气神”可引津。又<黄庭内景经>“津”意指金津玉液。此句意为修炼之时要掌握和运用神、气、津。即“生津聚精”的方法和作用。

⑥心神丹元,令我通真:“心神丹元”,按<黄庭内景经.心神章):心为五脏之元宰,属火而色赤。本句意是:心为五脏(心、肝、脾、肺、肾)之主宰,但废一不可。修道之人要掌握心内之元神,以运用身中精气,抱元守之,存无守有,凝结成丹,即能“通真”也。

⑦思神炼液,道炁常存:“思神”指存神。“炼液”指保护、修炼好金津玉液。“道气常存”即按其法不断修炼,即可以与道合真,长生久视。

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净身神咒

灵宝天尊,安慰身形。弟子魂魄,五脏玄冥‘。青龙白虎,队仗纷纭”;朱雀玄武,侍卫我真。急急如律令。

[注释J

①净身神咒:道教法事活动中常用“八大神咒”之一。念诵此咒能使人身部诸神归位,身体洁净,以感召神灵。

②灵宝天尊,安慰身形:“灵宝天尊”,即道教“三清”之一,居上清真境。“安”者,静也。“慰”者,微微慢慢养也。此句意指人万法俱忘,惟神是守,且内视而神光焕于玉阙,耳返听而妙韵响于琼房。此神宁泰定,一念不生,是谓安慰身形之法也。

③弟子魂魄,五脏玄冥:“弟子”,按《道藏辑要》为“法子”。这里均指学道的人。“魂魄”,按《淮南子》注曰:“魂者阳之神,魄者阴之神。”“五脏”,本指人身的心、肝、脾、肺、肾也。“玄”为玄妙。“冥”为默默无声的变化。这里指学道之人关键要掌握和修炼好

“五脏”,御制“魂魄”,使之不外游。

④青龙白虎,队仗纷纭:“青龙白虎”,按<礼.曲礼上):“行,前朱鸟()而后玄武,左青龙而后白虎。”又疏曰:“朱鸟,玄武,青龙白虎四方宿名也。”道教中人在修炼中以白虎谓肺属金,以青龙谓肝属木,以朱雀为心属火,以玄武谓肾属水,并依其法而炼之。

⑤朱雀玄武,侍卫我真:“朱笛玄武”即“朱鸟()、玄武、青龙、白虎”四方宿名。意指道教中以“白虎谓肺属金,以青龙谓肝属木,以朱雀为心属火,以玄武谓肾属水”。掌握此方法行之,自然修成大道,得道成真。

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安土地神咒

元始安镇,普告万灵”。岳渎真官,土地衹灵”。左社右稷,不得妄惊”。回向正道,内外澄清”。各安方位,备守坛()庭”。太上有命,搜捕邪精”。护法神王,保卫诵经…。皈依大道,元亨利贞”。

[注释J

①安土地神咒:道教法事活动中常用“八大神咒”之一。一般指道教徒在结坛、上殿或外出做法事时诵。意在使当境岳渎土地之神各安方位,备守坛场,保卫诵经。

②元始安镇,普告万灵:“元始”,道教三清之一,号元始天尊,居玉清圣境。“安”,平静、稳定。“镇”,安定。“普告”,全面宣告。“万灵”,指天地十方万灵众神。

③岳渎真官,土地衹灵:按<度人上经大法>云:“岳者,镇也。坤厚载物而不移。五岳三岛十州仙圣之所。”“土地”,又称“土地爷”、“土地公”、“福德正神”等。先民封土为社,祭之以五谷丰登。<孝经)载:“社者,土地之神,土地阔不可尽祭,故封土为社,以报功也。”道教书中称其为“土翁神”。“土地祗灵”,指居地中之众神灵仙家。

④左社右稷,不得妄惊:“社”,古时指祭祀土地神的地方,这里指土中之众神灵。“稷”,本为古代一种粮食作物。又古时以稷为百谷之长。因此帝王奉祀为谷神,即“社稷”,合称指国家。“妄”即乱、惊。即惊慌。

⑤回向正道。内外澄清:“澄清”,使水慢慢清亮。此句意指人的心如同水一样慢慢的安静下来,指修道养德的人心存善良,走正大光明的大道,不要走偏僻荒诞的邪路。

⑥各安方位,备守坛()庭:“安”,回到。此处指众神灵依次回到自己的位置。“备”,准备。“守”,守卫,把守。“坛庭”,一般指道教徒作《功课>,祈祷道场法会的场合。另诵作“家庭”吋,则只限用于信士、居士家中之时,如在戒坛上应诵作“备守律坛”。总之,不同场合使用不同。

⑦太上有命,搜捕邪精:“太上”指太上老君,道教中最尊之神。此句意指太上发布敕令,将妖魔鬼怪,一切邪精搜寻捕捉,不得让其为非作歹,危害人间,使正道得以弘扬、社稷安稳,人们安逸、世界太平。

⑧护法神王,保卫诵经:意指太上搜捕邪精后,将临坛讲经说法,普渡众生。时有下界善男信女诵经聆听。至时“护法神王”均将来临护法,保卫左右。

⑨皈依大道,元亨利贞:“元亨利贞”为乾卦之刚阳之性。<易.乾卦)曰:“元者,善之长也;亨者,嘉会也;利者,义之和也;贞者,事之干也。”君子体仁,足以长人嘉会足以合礼,利物足以和义,贞固足以干事,故子行此四德,即皈依太上无极大道,故曰元亨利贞。

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净天地神咒

天地自然,秽气分散”。洞中玄虚,晃朗太元”。八方威神,使我自然)。灵宝符命,普告九天”;乾罗答那,洞罡太玄”;斩妖缚邪,度人(杀鬼)万千”。中山神咒,元始玉文,持诵一遍,却病延年”;按行五岳,八海知闻”;魔王束首,侍卫我轩”;凶秽消散,道黑常存”。急急如律令。

[注释]

①净天地神咒:道教法事活动中常用“八大神咒”之一,主要用于道教徒上殿诵经、经坛施法时诵,意在扫除秽气,常存道炁。

②天地自然,秽气分散:“秽”,不洁净。此句意指天地大自然空间中,常有不洁净之气分散其中。对修炼之人来说,人身亦不洁净,故修炼之人要求排除身内浊气,吸收清气,又谓吐故纳新。

③洞中玄虚,晃朗太元:“洞中玄虚”,按洞阳子注:“洞者通也,上通于民,下通于地,中有神仙。”又“圣人于虚极静笃之中斗转璇玑,神通气洞,上与天通。”故曰玄虚。

“晃朗太元”意指洞中恍惚明朗深幽而不可测之,故言太玄也。

④八方威神,使我自然:“八方”,指四方四隅的总称。<史记.司马相如列传):“六合之内八方之外,.浸之衍溢。”此处指“威神”之广阔。护法神王威力无穷。“使”,令的意思。其意为令我同天地自然浑然一体。

⑤灵宝符命,普告九天:“灵宝”,道教三清尊神之一。“符命”,指最高旨意或天尊的命令。“九天”,按<淮南子.天文训)云:“天有九野,中央及四正四隅,故曰九天。”道书<太玄经)<太清玉册)<吕氏春秋)均有不同说法。唐李白《望庐山瀑布)有“飞流直下三干尺,疑是银河落九天”之句。其意泛指高不可测。

⑥乾罗答那,洞罡太玄:均为道教荡秽神将。按<荡秽朝科)中,破五方厌秽吋焚香奉请“乾罗答那,洞罡太玄使者,斩妖缚邪神吏”。

⑦:斩妖缚邪,度人(杀鬼)万千:“度人”,有些地方念“杀鬼”。按道教戒律“不言杀”说,一般均念作“度人”。“万千”,即数大、多之意。此句意为斩妖缚邪,普渡众生,无量度人。

⑧中山神咒,元始玉文:“元始”是道教最尊之神三清之一,居于玉清圣境。元始讲说大梵隐语,无量之音,谓大神咒。故此处言中山神咒。天真皇人昔书其文、其咒无所不辟,无所不禳,无所不变。“元始玉文”,即谓<元始五老赤书玉篇真文天书经),又名<太上洞玄灵宝五篇真文赤书》,简称<赤书真文>,乃元始天尊所说,出于空洞自然之中,五老掌录,秘于九天灵都之宮。实际只是五篇符咒文字。主要所述道法以及书符念咒,召神伏魔,辟邪禳灾为主要内容。

⑨持诵一遍,却病延年:此句意为指导修炼之人均要念诵<元始玉文),以却病延年,长生久视。

⑩按行五岳,八海知闻:“五岳”,指东岳泰山,西岳华山,南岳衡山,北岳恒山,中岳嵩山。“八海”按陶弘景<水仙赋)云:“森漫八海,泓泪九河。”指四方四隅之海。此句意指“元始五文”行持于五岳,传播于“八海”,无所不存,无处不在也。

⑩魔王束首,侍卫我轩:“魔王”,指有奇异法术害人的鬼王。“侍卫”,跟随守卫。“轩”本意指古代一种带装饰的车。此意指“元始玉文”的神功法力,真仙将受到保护。魔王鬼怪将受到制裁。

⑩凶秽消散,道黑常存:“凶秽”指凶恶不吉不洁之气。“道炁常存”,原<道藏辑要)作“道德全成”。现道教中已成习惯,普遍诵作“道炁常存”。此句是对该咒语的总结语。即遵循“天地自然”,常持诵元始玉文,其妖魔自然驱散,凶秽不存,道炁常存也。

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金光神咒

天地玄宗,万黑本根。广修亿劫,证吾神通。三界内外,惟道独尊。体有金光,覆映吾身。视之不见,听之不闻”。包罗天地,养育群生”。受持万遍,身有光明。三界侍卫,五帝司迎。万神朝礼,役使雷霆。鬼妖丧胆,精怪忘形。内有霹雳,雷神隐名。洞慧交彻,五炁腾腾。金光速现,覆护真人。急急如律令。

[注释J

①金光神咒:道教法事活动中常用“八大神咒”之一,在道教科仪中经常使用(尤为开光法会)。“金光”,指元始和其他尊神的神光。“咒”,为祈金光映覆,赐予神通。雷法中视作祈祷和策役神将的基本咒语之一,道教徒日诵功课亦常念诵。

②天地玄宗,万炁本根:“天地”,《庄子。齐物论):“天地一指也,万物一马也。”又“以指喻指之非指.不若以非指喻指之非指”,认为“天地一指”不过是道的体现。此句大意为“天地”之根本,即“玄宗”,即“一”,即“道”。道教的“道”和“一”均为“万炁”或万事万物之根本,一切之根源,一切都是从这里(天地、玄宗、万炁)产生和开始。

③广修亿劫,证吾神通:“劫”,劫数、浩劫。此句意指神仙和人都有遭受劫难、浩劫的可能。但只有不断修持,才能战胜“亿劫”,才能真正神通。

④三界内外,惟道独尊:“三界”,按<云笈七签)云:“二十八天分为三界……第一欲界,第二色界,第三无色界。”此“三界”一般指神仙能够超出所居。凡人难跳出“三界”。又有宇宙分三界为无极界、太极界、现世界;还有以天地空间分三界,即天界、地界、水界之说。道教认为人可通过修炼,跳出三界,成为神仙。

⑤体有金光,覆映吾身:“金光”,指炼得金丹的内外景象。张伯端<悟真篇):“近来透体金光现,不与凡人话此规。”仇兆鳌<悟真篇>曰:“金光圆满,其状似规。”此句泛指修炼中人按此法咒修持,到了一定程度吋的景象。

⑥视之不见,听之不闻:老子《道德经》曰:“视之不见名曰夷,听之不闻名曰希。”《功课经}:“视之不见,听之不闻,离种种边,名为妙道。”此句意指修炼中人炼到心静、守一,修炼功夫到了忘我程度的体现。

⑦包罗天地,养育群生:“天地”,按<)曰:“乾为天,坤为地。”所谓“天地”,无所不包。道教泛指“道”和“一”,包罗万物。“道”是一切的开始,“天地、道”养育万物和众生。

⑧受持万遍,身有光明:“受”古通“授”,意指道教中人依照以上法咒不断地得到真仙的口传心授,和不断地行持,就会得到“身有光明”的效果。

⑨三界侍卫,五帝司迎:“三界”,指天、地、人。“五帝”,指五老上帝。其意为三界众圣具来侍卫身旁,五老上帝也在天庭(三界)外候迎。

⑩万神朝礼,役使雷霆:“万神”,指诸天众神。“役使”,众多的排列。此句意指修炼得道之人所见到(三界外)天庭上的场面。

⑩鬼妖丧胆,精怪忘形:“鬼妖”,道教中一般念诵为“邪妖”,此句意指邪妖见“万神朝礼,役使雷庭”都闻之丧胆,精灵鬼怪个个现出原形,不敢为非作歹了。

⑩内有霹雳,雷神隐名:“霹雳”,此处指金光大法的威力。此句意指“鬼妖、精怪”闻得金光大法而远遁,雷神就隐于金光中而不名;为制约鬼怪,灭其形迹。

⑩洞慧交彻,五炁腾腾:“洞慧”,即通慧、觉悟;慧指慧光。此句意言通接慧光,相交映彻,天地之五行正气,融会交彻,氤氳腾腾之光迅速现于眼前。

⑩金光速现,覆护真人:“金光”,即神光。此句意指修炼到一定程度之人,“神光”必然出现,前往护法。

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祝香神咒

道由心学,心假香传。香蒸玉炉,心存帝前‘。真灵下盼,仙旆临轩“。令臣关告,迳达九天。

[注释]

①祝香神咒:道教法事活动中常用“八大神咒”之一。此咒为道教徒在念诵<功课经>中,结坛施法及上香时所念,焚香为供养神灵常用。道教认为香烟缭绕成云篆,可以将悃诚之意传达仙境,故极为重视。上香前须祝之以使香烟传其诚心。

②道由心学,心假香传:“道”,道教最高教理。<道德经)云:“有物混成,先天地生,寂兮廖兮,独立而不改,周行而不殆,可以为天下母。吾不知其名,字之曰道。”道教认为:道是先天地万物而生的宇宙本源,作为“天地之始”。修炼者认为:通过修道,可以与道合一,长生久视。因此,此句大意指修道者是用心诚来学得,用其诚心、诚意以焚香,将悃诚之意传达仙境,这是道教徒们诚心求道的体现。

③香燕玉炉,心存帝前:此句意指修道之人通过诚心诚意和“心学”“香传”,其诚心“香传”感召了上帝真仙,得到真仙的护佑,得以成为正果。

④真灵下盼,仙旆临轩:“旆”,古代旗帜下端燕尾状的装饰物。此处指仙人队仗前导旗帜。意指修道者的真心感动上圣高真,仙驾降临,自有云拥旌幢,仙旆侍卫,圣驾降临法坛。

⑤令臣关告,迳达九天:“迳”,直接达到目的的方法。“九天”,按《淮南子.天文训>:“天有九野,中央及四正四隅,故亦曰九天。”此句为道教常用朝科中的咒文,称其为发炉作用。道教徒在诵持<早晚功课)时,均诵作“迳达九天”。但高功行持作用时,则分三次进行,一次作“迳达三天”,二次作“迳达六天”,第三次作“迳达九天”。

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玄蕴咒

云篆太虚,浩劫之初。乍遐乍迩,或沉或浮。五方徘徊,一丈之余。天真皇人,按笔乃书。以演洞章,次书灵符。元始下降,真文诞敖。昭昭其有,冥冥其无”。

沉疴能白痊,尘劳溺可扶,幽冥将有赖。由是升仙都。

[注释J

①玄蕴咒:道教法事中常用“八大神咒”之一,又称“开经玄蕴咒”。即准备翻开道经奉诵时所念。“玄蕴”,指经中蕴藏着玄妙的义理。早期灵宝派即有此咒,其后各派具有仿作与衍变,其辞不尽相同。

②云篆太虚,浩劫之初:“云篆”,灵图符篆。指撰集云书或符篆文字。形体如云。《云笈七签>云:“篆者,撰也,撰集云书谓之云篆。”道教认为此符类符字皆系三天自然之气结成,天真仰写,方传至下界。又<三洞神符记):“撰集云书谓之云篆,道教符篆文字形体如云,故名云篆。”“太虚”,指辽廓的太空。《庄子。知北游》:“是以不过乎昆仑,不游乎太虚。”又<太上灵宝金庭无为妙经.太虚章第一):“道言无形合虚,中有万物,而行二仪,是谓太虚……太虚者,神运也,神命而万物生。”其意指在漫长劫运之前,元始云篆灵书,以告下界。

③乍遐乍迩,或沉或浮:“乍”,忽然。“遐迩”,远近。此句意为元始告传下界的云篆灵文在“太虚”阶层忽远忽近,或沉或浮,不断地上下传播。

④五方徘徊,一丈之余:“五方”,指东南西北中。其意言元始告传下界的云篆灵文不断地、不停地在天地间出现、不停地传送下界。

⑤天真皇人,按笔乃书:“天真皇入”,指元始天尊侍卫之尊。此句意指元始开经讲道的云篆灵文在太初吋,就记叙诸法音,由天真皇人将此云篆灵文记载并以此演说教化俗世。

⑥以演洞章,次书灵符:此句意为元始在为下界众生演说大洞真经,而后陆续传播云篆灵符,普渡众生。

⑦元始下降,真文诞敷:此句意指元始天尊亲临下降,开始为下界敷讲<灵宝无量度人上品妙经>等真文。

⑧昭昭其有,冥冥其无:“昭昭”,光明、明亮。“冥冥”,昏暗。按<荀子.劝学):“无冥冥之志者,无昭昭之明。”此句意指元始演说之真文,其经含义深奥,玄之又玄,只可意领,不可言传。

⑨沉疴能自痊,尘劳溺可扶,幽冥将有赖。由是升仙都:“沉疴”,指重病。“尘劳”,指堕落尘世。此四句为开经偈语,其意指诚心诵念此经者,能使重病痊愈;只要悔过自新,多积功累德,不断持诵此经,即使堕落凡尘,亦如同有人扶持,在幽暗阴昏之地亦将有人搭救。真仙上圣无不护佑,使人人都可升入仙都,长生久视。

Extracted from the following site:

http://www.8850911.com/2007/12-22/17320773023.html

Regards

Alvin Chua Kim Leng

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

English Translation of the Taoist Eight Great Spiritual Mantras 八大神咒

After trying for the past few days but still unable to find the English translation of the Taoist Eight Great Spiritual Mantras online, I decided to do it myself. I tried to refer to as many sources as possible but I still believe there may be mistakes.

道教八大神咒 (The Taoist Eight Spiritual Mantras)

淨心神咒 (Jin Sim Sin Jiew)

Divine Incantation for Purifying of the Heart

太上台星。應變無停。

The Highest Terrace Stars (refers to the 3 Terrace Stars of the North Dipper 三台星), with its eternal adaptive nature

驅邪縛魅。保命護身。

Rid the evil and fight the ghostly. Protect one’s life and body.

智慧明淨。心神安寧。

Give one’s mind clarity. Bring peace to one’s heart

三魂永久。魄無喪傾。

Eternalize one’s Three Hun(s). Keep the Po(s) from negative inclinations.

急急如律令。

Execute (the order) with haste as if an imperial command.

淨口神咒 (Jin Kow Sin Jiew)

Divine Incantation for Purifying of the Mouth

丹朱口神。吐穢除氛。

“Dan Zhu” the Mouth Deity. Expel the filth and remove the vapor.

舌神正倫。通命養神。

“Zheng Lun” the Tongue Deity. Prolong one’s life and nourish one’s spirit.

羅千齒神。卻邪衛真。

“Luo Qian” the Teeth Deity. Rid the evil and protect the sacred.

喉神虎賁。氣神引津.

“Hu Ben” the Throat Deity. The energy and spirit guides the fluid.

心神丹元。令我通真。

“Dan Wan” the Heart Deity. Enable me to achieve immortality.

思神煉液。道氣長存。

“Lian Yi” , cultivates the Jade Fluids. One’s energy and the Dao will merge and exists eternally.

急急如律令。

Execute (the order) with haste as if an imperial command.

淨身神咒 (Jin Sin Sin Jiew)

Divine Incantation for Purifying of the Body

靈寶天尊。安慰身形。

The Heavenly Worthy of the Numinous Treasure. Pacify one’s bodily form.

弟子魂魄。五臟玄冥。

Thy disciple’s souls. Dark and mysterious are the five internal organs.

青龍白虎。對仗紛紜。

Green Dragon and White Tiger. Of chaotic battle.

朱雀玄武。侍衛我真。

Vermilion Bird and Mysterious Warrior. Guard my immortal nature.

急急如律令。

Execute (the order) with haste as if an imperial command.

安土地神咒 (An Tor Tay Sin Jiew)

Divine Incantation for Settling of the Earth God

元始安鎮。普告萬靈。

The Primordial one pacifies and secures. Announce this to the 10,000 spirits.

岳瀆真官。土地祗靈。

Immortal Officials of the 5 Mountains (五岳) and 4 Rivers (四渎). Deities of the Earth.

左社右稷。不得妄驚。

Earth Deities on the left and God of Grains (谷神) on the right. Forbid all chaos.

回向正道。內外澄清。

Return to the Orthodox Way. Be settled, both internally and externally.

各安方位。備守壇庭。

All set in their respective positions. Guard the Shrine hall.

太上有命。搜捕邪精。

Order from the Highest One. Capture all evil demons.

護法神王。保衛誦經/安寧。

Protector God-king. Protect the recitations / peace.

皈依大道。元亨利貞。

Seek refuge in the Great Dao. Originating, penetrating, advantageous, correct and firm (The Four Virtues of the Qian Trigram).

淨天地神咒 (Jin Thian Tay Sin Jiew)

Divine Incantation for Purifying of Surroundings (Heaven and Earth)

天地自然。穢氣分散。

Natural are the Heaven and Earth. The negative energies are dispersed.

洞中玄虛。晃朗太元。

The Mysterious and Emptiness are in the destiny. The Bright Great Primordial.

八方威神。使我自然。

The courageous Deities of the eight directions. Manifest my spontaneous nature.

靈寶符命。普告九天。

Talismanic command of the Numinous Treasure. Report to the Nine Heavens.

乾羅達那。洞罡太玄。

Qian Luo Ta Na (Sanskrit name of a Deity General), The Ultimate Mysterious of the Pole Star’s arcana (Name of another Deity General).

斬妖縛邪。度人[殺鬼]萬千。

Execute the demons and fight the evil. Salvage tens of million people.

中山神咒。元始玉文。

Holy incantation of the central mountain. The Jade Text of the Primordial One.

持誦一遍。卻病延年。

Chant it once. It prevents diseases and prolongs one’s life.

按行五嶽。八海知聞。

Travels over the Five Mountains. Heard over the Eight Seas.

魔王束手。侍衛我軒。

Bound are the hands of the Demon King. Guard my carriage.

凶穢消散。道氣長存。

Dispersed is the malevolent filth. One’s energy and the Dao will merge and exists eternally.

急急如律令。

Execute (the order) with haste as if an imperial command.

金光神咒 (Kim Khong Sin Jiew)

Divine Incantation of the Golden Light

天地玄宗。萬氣本根。

The Mysterious Sect of the Heaven and Earth. The 10,000 energies of the same origin.

廣修億劫。證吾神通。

Surpass a hundred million disasters with diligent cultivation. Validate one’s miraculous abilities.

三界內外。惟道獨尊。

Inside and outside the Three Spiritual Realms. Only the Dao is of utmost respect.

體有金光。覆映吾身。

Golden aura surrounds the body. It covers myself.

視之不見。聽之不聞。

Look but cannot be seen. Listen but cannot be heard.

包羅天地。養育群生。

Encompasses the Heaven and Earth. Nourishes all living beings.

受持萬遍。身有光明。

Recite 10,000 times. The self will manifest brightness.

三界侍衛。五帝司迎。

The Three Spiritual Realms will protect. The Five Emperors will welcome.

萬神朝禮。役使雷霆。

10,000 deities will pay obeisance. Using the thunderbolts.

鬼妖喪膽。精怪忘形。

The ghosts and demons tremble in fear. The evil spirits lose their forms.

內有霹靂。雷神隱名。

The thunder claps within. The hidden name of the Thunder God.

洞慧交徹。五炁騰騰。

Knowledge of the Arcana is exchanged. The Five energies arise.

金光速現。覆護真人。

Golden Aura manifests immediately. Covers the immortal.

急急如玉皇光降律令。

Execute (the order) with haste as if an imperial command of the Jade Emperor’s Descending Light.

祝香神咒 (Jiok Hiong Sin Jiew)

Divine Incantation for Offering of Incense

道由心學。心假香傳。

The learning of the Dao originates from the heart. Incense carries the message of the heart.

香爇玉爐。心存帝前。

The jade urn is warmed by the incense. The heart resides before the Emperor.

真靈下盼。仙旆臨軒。

The immortal spirit watches from above. The flag of the deities arrives before the carriage.

令民關告。逕達九天。

The official reports. Reaching the Nine Heavens.

開經玄蘊咒 (Kai Kheng Hian Woon Jiew)

Mysterious Incantation for Opening of the Scriptures

雲篆太虛。浩劫之初。

Talismanic Writings of the Great Void. Exists since the beginning of the great catastrophe.

乍遐乍邇。或沉或浮。

Near at times and far during others. Sink at times and float during others.

五方徘徊。一丈之餘。

Back and forth in the Five Directions. Exceeds the length of one zhang (Chinese unit of measure)

天真皇人。按筆乃書。

Heavenly Imperial immortal. Ready to write with brush.

以演洞章。次書靈符。

Write the arcana scriptures with ritualistic practice. Followed by writing of the sacred talismans.

元始下降。真文誕敷。

The Primordial One descends. To teach the True scriptures.

昭昭其有。冥冥其無。

Clear and bright when present. Dark and shrouded when absent. (Means the teachings are not easily understood in words and requires the right understanding)

沉疴能自痊。塵勞溺可扶。

Serious illness can be healed by itself. And help for those who drown in the material world.

幽冥將有賴。由是升仙都。

Assistance will come when in the dark realms. Ascension to the Immortal Realm.

Regards

Alvin Chua Kim Leng

References used for the translation:

1. Taoist Master Chuang by Michael R. Saso

2. Daoism: A Short Introduction by James Miller

3. Daoism Handbook by Livia Kohn

4. 道教综合文化学术网 http://www.8850911.com/2007/12-22/17320773023.html

5. 道教八大神咒释义 http://www.auyou.cn/blog/diaryinfo-66566.html

Saturday, October 11, 2008

六字诀 Six Syllables Exercise

The following is an ancient Daoist exercise to balance the energies of the internal organs. In its oldest form, the practice comprises of reciting the sounds only but physical movements were added in later. This practice was made famous in the West by Mantak Chia, although the movements he uses are different from what is taught here.

梁代时的养生秘笈「六字诀」,是透过导引呼吸来锻炼我们的内脏,达致健身效果。「六字诀」是需要配合六个发音的健身操,六个发音则分别影响着相对的内脏:心、肝、脾、肺、肾及三焦。整套动作对呼吸、大脑以及内脏有好处,特别适合学生和都市人。动作比较缓慢,但必须配合呼吸。

第一式--嘘 xu
 双手放腰间,向左转腰,把右手伸出至一半时读出嘘音,然后慢慢收回,再转到右边。左右轮流交替完成为之一次,并重复六次。由左转右前要收腹深呼吸。这动作有助疏肝利胆。

第二式--呵 he (some practitioners pronounce it as ke, which works also)
 双手重叠从大脾上升至心口再向下压,下压时需要读出呵音。这动作帮助降心火。

第三式--呼 hu
 接着「呵」的动作,双手配合呼气徐徐向上升,呼气时读出呼音,动作简单但要重复练习。有助调理脾胃。

第四式--隋 si (pronounce as 四)
 两手向上托起,颈部尽量昂后,然后慢慢回到中间,双膝一松,双手推出时读出隋音。昂头时动作记紧要慢。动作有助颈部淋巴畅通、扩胸及增加肺活量,对肺部亦有帮助,更且生津止渴的功效。

第五式--吹chui
 手放腹前,然后向两边推开,移至腰后肾的位置,再用力向下推。向下推时要同时读出吹音。这动作有补肾功效。

第六式--嘻 xi
 双手手背相靠垂直放中间,然后向上面两边打开,双脚必须同时伸直。双手再由上方向下按,并同时读出嘻音。这动作可调理三焦。

You can visit the following site to watch the video: www.rthk.org.hk/elearning/morningexercises
You can read up more on the Six Healing Sounds here: http://baharna.com/chant/six_healing.htm


Regards
Alvin Chua

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Friday, October 10, 2008

Memorising the Eight Trigrams (Bagua)

In the days I was learning from my first Daoist teacher, we memorise the Eight trigrams using rhyming formula (歌决) to do so. So here is the formula in the order of the Early Heaven Bagua:

乾三连 (translation: Qian, the three joined lines)

兑上缺 (translation: Dui, with the top incomplete line)

离中虚 (translation: Li, with the empty middle)

震仰盂 (translation: Zhen, the upright urn)

巽下断(translation: Xun, the bottom broken line)

坎中满(translation: Kan, the full middle)

艮覆碗(translation: Gen, the inverted bowl)

坤六断(translation: Kun, the six broken pieces)

The formula is actually the images that the Trigrams resembles.

Regards

Alvin Chua Kim Leng

Long Shan Men 180th Anniversary Celebration Event 05 – Taoist Cultural Tour & Gathering Night

It was a pleasant experience to join the tour and I am surprised to see a lot of our UK Daoist friends. The following photo was taken at our first stop, courtesy of Sifu Jave. I am the last guy on the right. While I maybe familiar with certain Daoist teachings, the myriad Deities I saw during the tour are totally new to me. There are so many of them and remembering each one's unique characteristics is indeed not an easy task.




Wednesday, September 10, 2008

有谁知道易学的“炁”和“气”的读音?

A important online article for Qigong enthusiasts and Daoist cultivators:

有谁知道易学的“炁”和“气”的读音?

一、 易学里的“炁”和“气”字不同。

在现在的字典里,“炁”和“气”字的读音、意思和用法是没有区别的,炁字已经成为废字。但是在古代,在易学里,此二字是有区别的。下面以易学科普名著《西 游记》为例说明。在《西游记》一书的诗和文里都有炁和气字,可见此二字的意思和用法是不同的,因此其读音应该也是不同的。那么炁字在古代读什么音呢?还请 有识者告知。

气字:气字用得比较多,几乎每回都有用到。例如,文见:“子时得阳气。天气下降,地气上升。按政书二十四气。也省得受老天之气。”(一回),“只是有些道 气儿。摩脐过气。只自家将鼻孔中出入之气调定”(二回);诗见:“不生不灭三三行,全气全神万万慈。”(一回),“瑞气千条喷紫雾。踏雾登云气力长。神兵 怒气云惨惨”(四回)。余不多举。

炁字:炁字用得较少,大约只有以下几处。文见:“五炁真君、五斗星君、三官四圣、九曜真君”(七回),“罗侯计都炁孛四余。那南方三炁火德星君整衣出门迎 进。三炁用心者”(五十一回);诗见:“都来总是精炁神”(二回),“南方三炁逞英雄,回禄大神施法力”(十六回),“乃三炁之威,能变百端之火”(五十 一回)。

说明:易学里有“精炁神”(后人都写作“精气神”)三物,即炁学的炁粒、炁流、炁体三炁物质。精为实物,神和气为虚物,也叫做气,泛指六气,就是五行气和 元气,五行气就是炁,元气就是神。当气指行气时,与炁字相通用,而炁字专指行气。这就是此二字的意义和用法区别所在。现在我们把“气”物质——虚物命名为 炁体、jies,规定炁读ji不读qi,同易学和现在的气字的意义、读音和用法都是不同的。炁体就是炁这种物质,也就是六气物质。

二、 易学的“气”和西学的“气”不同。

易学的气物质指的是“经络穴位”里的物质——虚物——炁体,西学的气物质指的是实物——气体分子。两者的关系就是:在气体里,西学的气指的就是气体分子,我们说氧气就是指氧气分子;而易学的气指的是气体里除了气体分子以外的空间里的物质——虚物炁体。

所以为了区别起见,我们把易学的气中的行气叫做行气、炁、炁流,元气叫做元气、神、炁体,气物质叫做虚物、炁体,而西学里的气体还是叫做气体,氧气还是叫做氧气。这样就不会弄混淆了。

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Master Lo’s Feng Shui interview at Beijing Olympic

Master Lo’s Feng Shui interview at Beijing Olympic in Today in MSNBC:

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/26136506#26136506

Cheers
Alvin Chua Kim Leng

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