Taoism
What is Taoism
道教以学道、修道，行道为主，发源最早始于轩辕黄帝，发扬于老子，成教于张道陵天师。道教是中国固有的宗教。它包含和继承了上古至今几千年的中华文化和民族传统以及民间风俗习惯。故大文豪鲁迅先生会说：”中国人的根柢全在道教” 。要了解中华文化就有必要了解道教。
道教的哲理及教理教义源自于老子<<道德经>>。道教强调人需要了解宇宙万物的自然规律，因为唯有认识大道，人民方能和谐共处。道教相信宇宙间运行着一套自然法则。这套法则便是道教的核心。如果一个人能顺应自然，便能使生命与道合一。故，道教可称为中华宗教-哲理传统中的精髓。
海内外道门弟子将道祖降世之农历二月十五，作办道教至重节日，逢此吉日，各名山大观均将庆贺礼拜，此日又称为道教节
Taoism is about learning, cultivation and practice, that is, learning about the ways of the Tao, self-cultivation to achieve Tao and practicing the teachings of Taoism. Its origins could be traced back to the time of the Yellow Emperor (Huang Di, 黄帝), thereafter it was promoted by the philosophical writing of Lao Zi (老子), and finally organized as a formal religion by Zhang Dao Ling (张道陵), the religion’s Celestial Master.
Taoism is the only indigenous religion of China. It embodies forms of Chinese beliefs and traditions practiced from the early days of Chinese civilization. Thus, as the great Chinese writer Lu Xun put it, “The root of the Chinese people is Taoism.” It is commonly said that to understand Chinese culture, one has to understand the Taoist religion as Chinese culture lies in Taoism.
Taoism draws its philosophy and teachings from Lao Zi’s “Tao Te Ching” but it has never developed a dogmatic belief system.
Taoism views the universe and all its manifestations as operating according to a set of unchanging natural laws. Human beings can gain knowledge of these laws and become attuned to them. It is these natural laws that constitute the core principles of Taoism. Aligning ourselves with these principles provides a universal perspective and understanding that allows life to be lived in harmony with the Tao. Hence, Taoism may be defined as the Chinese philosophic-religious tradition dedicated to achieving harmony with the transcendent Tao.
Taoists dedicate Lao Zi’s birthday, 15th day of the 2nd Lunar Month to offer homage. All Taoist temples conduct prayers to mark the Supreme Patriarch of Taoism and keep this day as TAOIST DAY.
Singapore ‘Yu Huang Gong’ (SYHG) is a Taoist Temple. The rites and worship follows the traditions of Taoism and Chinese beliefs. Annual activities of SYHG include both Chinese and Taoist religion like the Spring Festival, Taoist Day, Festival of the Middle Season (“Zhong Yuan jie”), Nine Emperors Festival, Year-end thanksgiving worship, as well as celebrations during the feast days of various divinities.
The worship of Taoist Deities in SYHG includes:
- 1. The Three Pristine Ones (San Qing Dao Zu):
The highest Divinity of Taoism is the Three Pristine Ones whom include The Primeval Lord of Heaven (Yuan Shi Tian Zun) living at Qing Wei Heaven, The Heavenly Lord of Numinous Treasure (Ling Bao Tian Zun) living at Yu Yu Heaven and The Heavenly Lord of Tao and Virtue (Dao De Tian Zun) living at Da Chi Heaven. In folk belief, the Jade Emperor may be the highest divinity in command among all deities; however, in Taoist pantheon of deities, the Three Pristine Ones actually presides over Jade Emperor, as they represents the Wuji Realm (Infinity) and while the Jade Emperor represents the Taiji Realm (Ultimate) of the whole cosmos.In Taoism, Innate One Qi (i.e. Ancient primitive Qi) forms the Three Pristine Ones. It is the mother of Cosmos and forms the highest divinities of Taoism, i.e. Tao transforms progressively from One, “Dao produces One (Unity), One produces Two (Duality: Yin & Yang), Two creates Three (Trinity) and Three produces All Things. (Extract from Chapter 42 of the Tao Te Ching)
- 2. Jade Emperor (Yu Huang Shang Di):
Yu Huang Shang Di existed and recorded as Hao Tian Shang Di during the primitive period. In Taoism, the Jade Emperor is the very first deity in the supreme Taiji realm.The Jade Emperor incarnated from the Three Pristine Ones. This is normally described as “Heaven (Tian)” by the Chinese and lives in the Tong Ming Heaven, Mi Luo Palace. He is the main authority which oversees all beings under the heaven. To the common folks, he is the “Father of Heaven” (Tian Gong).
- 3. Four Heavenly Ministers (Si Yu Da Di):
In the Heaven, there are four great Ministers assisting the Three Pristine Ones and Jade Emperor, namely Lord Zi Wei of the Northern Polar (Bei Ji Zi Wei Da Di), Lord Chang Sheng of Southern Polar (Nan Ji Chang Sheng Da Di), Lord Tien Huang of Goucheng (Gou Cheng Tien Huang Da Di) and Lord Imperial Goddess of Earth (Hou Tu Huang Di Qi). - 4. The Three Divine Officials （San Guan Da Di):
The worship of Heaven, Earth and Water exists during the ancient time in China. The Three Divine Officials are early Taoist deities, namely: the Heaven Official whom bestow blessings, the Earth Official whom pardon sins and the Water Official whom dispel misfortunes.
- Mother Deity Dou Mu,
- Heavenly Lord Tai Yi of Salvation
- The Three Quanzhen Masters:
- Patriarch Lu Zu, Patriarch Chongyang, Patriarch Qiu Chang Chun,
- Heavenly General Wang Ling Guan
- The Nine Emperors of Bei Dou (North Dipper）
- Mysterious Maiden of the Nine Heaven
- General Yin Jiao Tai Sui (Year Deity)
- 60 Tai Sui Deities
- Imperial Sovereign Wenchang
- Deity of Wealth General Zhao Gongming
- Deities of Wealth of the Five Directions
- Deity of Happiness (Xi Shen) of the Year
At the rear of the temple, the ancestral hall enshrined the tablet of 36 founding members of KTW.
新加坡玉皇宫为道教庙宇，祭祀和礼拜仪式都依据道教礼仪和华族传统统习俗。玉皇宫常年活动包括华族节日和道教宗教庆典，例如：春节祭祀，道教节庆典，中元法会，九皇法会，岁末祭祀活动和各神明圣诞祝寿等。
新加坡玉皇宫奉祀道教神明：
- 1. 三清道祖
三清道祖即道教所崇奉的三位最高神灵，依次分别为居住在清微天的玉清元始天尊、禹馀天的上清灵宝天尊，以及大赤天的太清道德天尊。在民间，玉皇上帝是天地间最高主宰，但在道教神谱中，玉皇虽为众神之尊，不过在玉皇之上，更有三清道祖，犹如无极与太极之分。道教认为，三清尊神乃是由先天一气所化生（此所谓「一气化三清」之说），由宇宙的根源母体，也即是道教的最高信仰──道，所逐次化现产生，正是道教「道生一，一生二，二生三，三生万物」（语出《道德经》）的宇宙生成观。 - 2. 玉皇上帝
玉皇上帝，亦即上古时的昊天上帝，简称玉帝。全称为「太上开天执符御历含真体道昊天玉皇上帝」。玉皇上帝乃三清所化身的太极界第一位尊神，亦即华族所最崇敬的「天」，居於通明天弥罗宫，掌管万天，握至高权威。民间均尊之为「天公」。 - 3. 四御大帝
四御为道教天界尊神中辅佐“三清，玉皇”的四位尊神，所以又称“四辅”。他们的全称是：紫微北极大帝、南极长生大帝、勾陈上宫天皇大帝、承天效法后土皇地祇。 - 4. 三官大帝
中国上古就有祭天、祭地和祭水的礼仪。三官大帝是早期道教尊奉的三位天神。指天官、地官和水官。分别为上元一品赐福天官紫微大帝（天官赐福），中元二品赦罪地官清虚大帝（地官赦罪)，下元三品解厄水官(水官解厄) - 5. 其他神明包括：
- 圆明斗姆元君（北斗众星之母）
- 太乙救苦天尊（道教救赎救苦之神）
- 吕祖纯阳真人（全真道教三祖之一）
- 王祖重阳真人（全真道教三祖之一）
- 邱祖常春真人（全真道教三祖之一
- 北斗九皇星君 （九皇大帝
- 殷郊都雷太岁（统领六十甲子太岁）
- 九天玄女元君
- 文昌梓潼帝君（掌管文运，学业之神）
- 文昌梓潼帝君（掌管文运，学业之神）
- 文昌梓潼帝君（掌管文运，学业之神）
- 当年喜神
此外，玉皇宫于原有祠堂内也继续奉祀“庆德会”三十六位创会先贤。