Joss House: Taoist Temples of California

Hyonmu (tortoise and snake)

2007-08-13T23:11:00.003-07:00

Hyonmu (tortoise and snake), one of the four gods, in a Kangso Tumulus

Koguryo was the first feudal state in the history of Korea (100 B.C. - 668 A.D.), and its tomb murals are the oldest paintings still in existence on the Korean Peninsula and are one of the paragons of the Oriental paintings of the early middle ages in their technique and accuracy.

Four gods represent the four directions of north, south east and west. Koguryo people regarded them as guardian deities and symbols of the safety of tumuli. Chongryong (blue dragon) guards the east, while Paekho (white tiger) defends the west, Chujak (red sparrow), the south, and Hyonmu (tortoise only or tortoise and snake) the north.

Genbu, AKA Xuan Wu

2007-08-13T23:11:00.002-07:00

Genbu

http://www.bacho.jp/mgoods.htm

Genbu: a black tortoise representing winter and the north

2007-08-13T23:11:00.001-07:00

This is Genbu, one of four gods which came to Japan from China. They are scarcely remembered at all today except in various fantasy mangas...

Genbu is a black tortoise representing winter and the north. Genbu is said to have done battle with a serpent, and is frequently shown either entwined with the snake or - as here - with the snake on his back.

http://antiquesinjapan.com/Buddhism3.html

Po Kong Temple, Oakland, CA

2007-08-13T23:11:00.000-07:00

Po Kong Temple on MacArthur in Laurel District, Oakland, CA

Black tortoise-snake in the north

2007-08-13T16:16:00.000-07:00

Mirror with Geometric Patterns and the Four Spirits

(Kyoto National Museum)

This Mirror with Geometric Patterns and the Four Spirits is an example of a type of mirror that was made in great numbers in China from the end of the Early Han Dynasty to the Late Han Dynasty (from about the 1st Century B.C. to the 2nd Century A.D.), which corresponds to the Japanese Yayoi Period. Many of these mirrors were brought into Japan by way of Korea.

The blue dragon represents constellations in the east, the white tiger in the west, the red bird in the south and the black tortoise-snake in the north (at top of picture).

http://www.kyohaku.go.jp/eng/dictio/data/kouko/houkaku.htm

Copyright Kyoto National Museum. Kyoto, Japan.

Paper house with Joss paper

2007-08-03T23:11:00.000-07:00

The paper house, with joss paper thrown all over and personal belongings in boxes in the front.

"It was supposed to be the ceremony for my ancestors (specifically, my great grand parents, grand parents and an aunt). So if you have read my earlier blog complaining about a certain someone that was the 20th May.

The ceremony is called Gong Teck in Hokkien which roughly translates to 功德 in Chinese which means passing of merits to our deceased ancestors"
http://charmiane86.blogspot.com/

Xuan Tian Shang Di Blogsite

2007-07-27T23:11:00.007-07:00

Xuan Tian Shang Di

http://xuantianshangdi.blogspot.com/

"This blog is dedicated to Xuan Tian Shang Di (Siong Te Kong in Hokkien). We hope to share information - stories, documents and pictures - about Xuan Tian Shang Di around the world. We invite you to join us in sharing what you know about Xuan Tian Shang Di, in any country or any language."

Cool Blog!!

Tran Vu aka Zhenwu

2007-07-27T23:11:00.006-07:00

Yao Taoist Painting of Tran Vu (Zhenwu)
Yao people - Vietnam
Mid 20th cent.
water-based paint on paper
http://www.indigoarts.com/gallery_yao3.html
All photographs and text Copyright Indigo Arts Gallery Inc., 1998-2006.

The Dark Lord of the North

2007-07-27T23:11:00.005-07:00

Xuan Wu Stepping on Snake and Tortoise

"Lord Xuan Wu (also called The Dark Lord of the North or The Lord of True Martiality) is one of the most widely revered Chinese deities, ranking in popularity behind only Guan Yin and Kwan Kung.
The God is always depicted holding a magical sword, which he borrowed from one of the 8-Immortals named Lu Dong-Pin. Legend says that He borrowed the magical sword to beat off a powerful devil, and after he was successful, he refused to return the sword back to Lu Dong-Pin. If his palm opens, then his sword will automatically fly back to Lu Dong-Pin. Therefore he always hold this sword tightly.
Lord Xuan Wu is also always depicted with a tortoise and a snake, beneath his feet. He is revered as a powerful God, able to control the elements (worshipped by those wishing to avoid fires), and capable of great magic. He is particularly revered by martial artists, and is the 'patron saint' of Wudang Mountain in China's Hubei Province, where he allegedly attained immortality."

image: http://www.fengshuibestbuy.com/buddhism.html
Copyright © 2003-2007. All rights reserved.

Inside the historic Bok Kai Temple in Marysville

2007-07-27T23:11:00.004-07:00

Candles burn inside the historic Bok Kai Temple in Marysville

Return of the Bok Kai

by Katie Lawrence

Issue date:Section: News 2/16/05

"Bok Kai is the main deity, who controls the flooding and can banish evil." explained Keith Bogt, one of the temple's volunteer caretakers.

During 1850 and 1900 the Marysville Chinese population in the northern Sacramento valley was so large that at times it ranked second only to San Francisco. Most of Marysville's Chinese population was part of the Chinese workers from the mines and on the railroads. They brought their traditions and religion with them and erected Bok Kai Mui, which translated means, "Temple of the North side of the stream."

Bok Kai is the Chinese God of Water. It is said that some of Bok Kai's powers are to oversee irrigational waterways and rain. Bok Kai Mui is the only surviving Taoist temple in the western hemisphere with Bok Kai as its central deity."

http://theprospector.org/

Media Credit: Stephen sylvanie

Bok Kai Temple Scrolls

2007-07-27T23:11:00.003-07:00

Bok Kai Temple Scrolls

1976

Yuba County Library

http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt396nd16h/
Copyright © 2007 The Regents of The University of California.

Zhenwu, Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven

2007-07-27T23:11:00.002-07:00

Chen Yanqing Zhenwu, Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven

Ming dynasty, dated 1439
Gilt bronze
36.4 cm

Asian Art Museum, San Francisco

http://www.saturn-soft.net/Gallery/Gallery1/China1/Html/zhenwu.htm

Kuan Kong

2007-07-27T23:11:00.001-07:00

Kuan Kong: seated god of war

Medium: gilded and lacquered wood

Kuan Kong: Originally the Chinese god of war, he is now held in high regard by business people, police, and martial arts devotees, among others, and is often associated with wealth. He is the only god depicted with a red face, and is often depicted with his Black Dragon Sword. He is also the keeper of good people and fights those who might harm them.

http://www.art-merchant-intl.com/china.htm

Art Merchant International • 17161 Beaton Road SE • Monroe, Washington 98272

Chung-li Ch’uan

2007-07-27T23:11:00.000-07:00

Eighth Immortal Astride Kirin

Medium: 19th century Chinese bronze

Chung-li Ch’uan, chief of the eight Chinese immortals astride a qilin, a mythological creature that brings serenity and prosperity. With his fan he is able to revive the souls of the dead.

This piece is believed to have been manufactured in Fukien province in the late 19th century. An inscription on one side of the qilin indicates the casting was made for Ming dynasty emperor Xuande, who reigned from 1426-1435.

http://www.art-merchant-intl.com/china.htm

Art Merchant International • 17161 Beaton Road SE • Monroe, Washington 98272

Bok Kai Temple, Marysville, California

2007-07-27T14:29:00.000-07:00

Bok Kai Temple, Marysville, California

(likely pre-renovation)

http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt3q2nc9xd/?docId=kt3q2nc9xd&layout=printable
Copyright © 2007 The Regents of The University of California.

Bok Kai Temple, Marysville, California

2007-07-06T23:11:00.004-07:00

Near the Bok Kai Temple.

Photo by David Bush.

Bok Kai Temple, Marysville, California

2007-07-06T23:11:00.003-07:00

Side of Bok Kai Temple. Photo by Mary Israel.

Bok Kai Temple, Marysville, California

2007-07-06T23:11:00.002-07:00

Back side of Bok Kai Temple. Photo by Mary Israel.

Bok Kai Temple, Marysville, California

2007-07-06T23:11:00.001-07:00

Out in front of the entrance to the Bok Kai Temple. Photo by Mary Israel.

Bok Kai Temple, Marysville, California

2007-07-06T23:11:00.000-07:00

Gate in front of the Temple. Photo by Mary Israel.

Bok Kai Temple, Marysville, California

2007-07-06T13:53:00.000-07:00

Bok Kai Temple

Dedicated March 21, 1880, this building replaced the first temple built nearby in the early 1850’s. It has been a Chinese community project since 1866, serving as a meeting hall, court, school, and place of worship.

In this “Palace of Many Saints”, Bok Eye, the Water God, is the central deity and has been celebrated in Marysville on Bomb Day since Chinese settled here.

California Registered Historical Landmark No. 889.

Photo by Mary Israel

Blue & White Jar, Ming Dynasty

2007-03-19T11:11:00.002-07:00

The fourth and main register represents the Eight Immortals who are either talking with each other or relaxing under a tree probably just after a good drink, with their emblems such as the sword, (associated with Lü Dongbin) and the fan (associated with Zhong Liquan) spread on the foreground. Trees, clouds and shrubs surround them. On the bottom are wave patterns. The shape of this jar and the coloring of the underglaze blue bear much resemblance to a blue and white jar also with the Eight Immortals design dated to the Tianshun reign of the Ming dynasty (1457-1464).

Digital images copyright Special Collections, Musselman Library, Gettysburg College. All rights reserved.

http://www.gettysburg.edu/special_collections/general_information/policies/copyright_information.dot

Ivory Fly Whisk Handle, Qing Dynasty

2007-03-19T11:11:00.001-07:00

This object is a handle for a fly whisk. It contains the Eight Immortals of Taoism on the handle. Like another fly whisk handle in the collection, this object is missing the hair strands which would complete it. On one side we notice the two Immortals: Li T'ieh-kuai, recognizable by his emaciated body and crutch, and Lu Tung-pin, who has a sword on his back. To the side on the right we see Lan T'sai-ho, who is playing a flute, and Ts'ao Kuo-chiu, who carries a tablet and wears a hat. On the next side directly to the right there is another pair of Immortals. We notice Ho Hsien-ku, who is a female Immortal holding a long-stemmed lotus flower and Chung-li Ch'uan who holds a fan. On the final side we notice Han Hsiang-ku who is holding a basket of flowers over his head with his left arm, and Chang Kuo-lao who is riding a donkey.

Digital image copyright Special Collections, Musselman Library, Gettysburg College. All rights reserved.

http://gettysburg.cdmhost.com/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=%2Fp4016coll6&CISOPTR=567&DMSCALE=100.00000&DMWIDTH=600&DMHEIGHT=600&DMMODE=viewer&DMFULL=0&DMOLDSCALE=26.04167&DMX=0&DMY=0&DMTEXT=%2520t%2527ieh&DMTHUMB=1&REC=4&DMROTATE=0&x=44&y=65

Han Chung-li

2007-03-19T11:11:00.000-07:00

Lu Tung-pin's teacher, friend, and fellow winebibber, was Han Chung-li, the typical soldier of the Group. Yet, there are so many versions of his life and adventures that he sometimes figures as a warrior, sometimes as a Taoist priest, and sometimes as a beggar receiving the Pill of Immortality. His military virtues are eclipsed by his alchemistic talents. All his pic-tures show him in mufti, sometimes holding his famous feather-fan, or a peach of long life.
Text from: http://eng.buddhapia.com/_Service/_ContentView/ETC_CONTENT_2.ASP?PK=0001146352&danrak_no=&clss_cd=&top_menu_cd=0000000808
Plate LEGEND OF LAO TSE, HAN CHUNG-LI Collector's Plate Copyright © 1995-2007 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. http://myworld.ebay.com/ds_coins_collectibles/

Lu Tung Pin

2007-03-16T23:11:00.004-07:00

Poems by Lu Tung Pin

What is Tao?
What is Tao?
It is just this.
It cannot be rendered into speech.
If you insist on an explanation,
This means exactly this.

My heart is the clear water in the stony pond.
My heart is the clear water in the stony pond.
Right now it is invaded by the peach-blossom shadows.
As soon as I arrive at heaven's palaces
I shall settle down with my seven-stringed lute.

English version by
http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/L/LuTungPin/Myheartiscle.htm

HAN CHUNG LI

2007-03-16T23:11:00.003-07:00

HAN CHUNG LI

The third of the Eight Immortals, Han Zhong Li had great strength, and was physically the strongest of the Eight Drunken Immortals.

In his youth, Han had been a drunkard who had always had an eye for trouble, picking brawls and causing mischief. One day, Li Tit Kwai warned him to straighten out his life. Han refused, and challenged Li to a brawl. Han was promptly defeated and forced to abide by Li's side and become his pupil. Although he tried to run away from Li on many instances, Li always got the better of him. Han eventually resigned to becoming a Taoist priest and after many years of meditation achieved immortality on the Mountain Hua.

Han's signature characteristics are a fan and a huge wine cauldron, the latter of which he is often depicted with in pictures. The fan gives him the power of resurrecting the dead.

Picture from: http://german.cri.cn/311/2005/10/11/1@36860.htm

Lu Tung Pin - Immortal Lu

2007-03-16T23:11:00.002-07:00

Lu Tung Pin - Immortal Lu

Lu Tung Pin is venerated for two reasons. Firstly because he is associated with medicine and the elixir of life. He knows the formula for the elixir of life and his potions and charms can heal the sick. Lu Tung Pin is also the doctor of the poor.

As a young man Lu Tung Pin met up with a fire dragon who gave him a sword. This sword was called Chan-yao Kuai, the Demon-Slayer which allows him to have control over evil spirits destroying, capturing or taming them if he is invoked correctly; but to Lu Tung Pin this sword was not a weapon for killing enemies but a symbol for conquering passion, aggression, and ignorance.

Lu Tung Pin considered compasion to be the essential means of attaining perfection.

He decided to forgo the life of an official and follow Chung Li-ch'uan into the mountains. There Lu learned the secrets of alchemy and the art of swordsmanship. He transformed the methods of Outer Alchemy (wai-dan) into those of Inner Alchemy (nei-dan).

http://mypage.uniserve.ca/~bggibson/sara/Healing/LuTungPin.html

Chung Li-ch'uan

2007-03-16T23:11:00.001-07:00

Chung Li-ch'uan, patron saint of the military.

Han Chung Li was a historical persona, serving as a Marshall or General of the Imperial Han dynasty (207BCE - 220CE). It was said that Lao Tzu himself, shared the wisdom of the Tao with Han Chung Li. Upon embracing the teachings of the Tao , Han successfully ended the bloodshed and violence in his government life and journeyed to the wilderness, the mountains, to nature as a wanderer cultivating the Tao.

One day, whilst meditating, the adjacent stone in his mountain chamber cracked and revealed a sacred jade box. Inside this mysterious box contained an age old scroll that showed him the secrets of attaining Immortality. Studying the secret meditations, Han Chung Li finally achieved his immortality. His chamber was filled with celestial clouds, music and a magic crane appeared bringing him to the realms of the immortals.

Han Chung Li was revered for devising the pill of immortality by sacred Taoist Alchemy. This is why he is a popular deity for those in search for longevity. Once during a famine that swept China, Han Chung Li turned stones to gold and silver for the poor, saving millions of lives.

His symbol of power is his feather fan, which he uses to revive and reincarnate the souls of the departed. His magical fan can also control the forces of the 7 seas and the changes in the weather. He is often depicted as mounted on a chimera (Kei Lun), a mythical creature of the Taoist Goddess Hsi Wong Mu.

Han Chung Li is associated with the Trigram Chen of the Bagua. Chen, a yang wood trigram relates to the direction East, and is represented by the colors Green. Chen is often associated with the thundering forces of nature, and thus we may say that Han is often seen as jovial and forceful. His positive emotions embodies generosity, benevolence and graciousness while he suppresses the negative feelings of condemnation, guiltiness, frustration and violence.

Data from: http://www.usadojo.com/styles/about-drunkard-boxing.htm

Picture from: Marla Mallett Textiles and Tribal Oriental Rugs
http://www.marlamallett.com/e-5309dd-a.htm

Han Chung-li

2007-03-16T23:11:00.000-07:00

Han Chung-li

Han Chung-li represents military men. He lived during the Han dynasty when he was a Marshall of the Empire. In his old age he became a hermit and lived on Yang-chiu Mt. in Shansi where he met the Five Heroes who taught him how to be an immortal. This knowledge he taught to Lu Tung-pin.

During a famine he turned base metals into silver which he distributed to the poor people. He is recognized as a figure who holds a fan or a peach.

When he achieved immortality he was carried by a stork into the Heavens. Another legend has it that the wall of his hut burst open to reveal a casket in which were instructions on how to become an immortal.

From: The Taoist Deities
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Philosophy/Taichi/gods.html

Lü Dong Bin

2007-03-16T16:56:00.001-07:00

Lü Dong Bin
Lu Tung Pin is said to have been born in 755 in Shansi province of China. As Lu grew up, he trained to be a scholar at the Imperial Court, but he did not pass the required examination until late in life.

He met his teacher Chung-Li Chuan in a marketplace where the Taoist master was scrawling a poem on the wall. Impressed by the poem, Lu Tung Pin invited the old man to his home where they cooked some millet. As the millet was cooking Lu dozed and dreamed that he had passed the court examination, had a large family, and eventually rose to a prominent rank at the court -- only to lose it all in a political fall. When he awoke, Chung-Li Chuan said:

"Before the millet was cooked,
The dream has brought you to the Capital."

Lu Tung Pin was stunned that the old man had known his dream. Chung-Li Chuan replied that he had understood the nature of life, we rise and we fall, and it all fades in a moment, like a dream.

Lu asked to become the old man's student, but Chung-Li Chuan said Lu had many years to go before he was ready to study the Way. Determined, Lu abandoned everything and lived a simple life in order to prepare himself to study the Great Tao. Many tales are told of how Chung-Li Chuan tested Lu Tung Pin until Lu had abandoned all worldly desires and was ready for instruction.

He learned the arts of swordsmanship, outer and inner alchemy and attained the immortality of enlightenment.

text from: http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/L/LuTungPin/index.htm
picture from: http://german.cri.cn/311/2005/10/11/1@36860.htm

Han Zhongli

2007-03-12T11:11:00.006-07:00

The first immortal to be examined is Han Zhongli (Chungli Ch'uan). His birth story is similar to the Buddha's, and may have been influenced by it. It is said that his body was covered in auspicious markings and that at an early age he could speak and foretold his eventual immortality. Han Zhongli is often associated with a historical general of the Han dynasty. Legend says that during a military excursion far from his home he became lost in a maze-like system of canyons, and eventually met up with beings that can be described as shamanic-ghosts. He began his quest for immortality here. It is said that among his powers was the ability to turn copper into silver.

Text from Taoism 101: http://www.suite101.com/lesson.cfm/19308/2928/2

Picture from: His Nibs http://www.hisnibs.com/eight_immortals.htm
Copyright ^© 1999-2007 (His Nibs.com, LLC). All rights reserved.

Zhongli Quan and Lu Dongbin

2007-03-12T11:11:00.005-07:00

Zhongli Quan and Lu Dongbin
This beautiful panel adorns one of the ghost-money incinerators at the Tian Hou Temple in Chiwan, Shenzhen.

Chungli Ch'uan: A stout man with only wisps of remaning hair but a beard reaching his waist. His fan has the power to raise the dead.

Lu Tung-pin: Born 798 AD and honored as a scholar. Received from a fire dragon a sword enabling him to hide from death. He is the most widely known of the Immortals and considered the de facto leader.

Facts from: http://www.religionfacts.com/taoism/beliefs/immortals.htm

Picture from: http://thetempleguy.com/mi-le-fo/temples/SZ0002-2.htm

ZHONG-LI QUAN

2007-03-12T11:11:00.004-07:00

ZHONG-LI QUAN ( CHUNG-LI CHUAN ) This is the familiar Fat Man with his bare belly showing. He always carries a fan and sometimes a peach. He is also considered the Chief of the Immortals.

Another account describes Chung-li Ch’üan as merely a vice-marshal in the service of Duke Chou Hsiao. He was defeated in battle, and escaped to Chung-nan Shan, where he met the Five Heroes, the Flowers of the East, who instructed him in the doctrine of immortality. At the end of the T’ang dynasty Han Chung-li taught this same science of immortality to Lü Tung-pin and took the pompous title of the Only Independent One Under Heaven.

http://www.asianartmall.com/Chung-li%20Chuan.htm

Han Zhongli

2007-03-12T11:11:00.003-07:00

Han Zhongli (or Zhongli Quan) was given the first divine revelations by Li Tieguai and then went into the mountains to seek the light. After his return to the world, he killed a tiger with a flying scimitar and changed copper into gold to help the poor. In the end, he ascended to the upper realms of immortality with his brother. He is usually shown with a feather fan in a comfortable reclining posture.

Copyright © Chinadotcom All Rights Reserved
Ba Xian Guo Hai:the Eight Immortals Cross the Sea:

http://english.china.com/zh_cn/culture_history/news/11020710/20060509/13302721.html

Chung-li Ch'uan

2007-03-12T11:11:00.002-07:00

When Immortal Lu Tung-pin was studying with his teacher Chung-li Ch'uan, Chung li Ch'uan gave him a large and heavy sack to carry. Immortal Lu carried the sack for three years without complaint or resentment. At the end of the three years, Chung-li Ch'uan told Immortal Lu to open the sack.

He said to Immortal Lu, "While you were carrying the sack these years, did you know what was inside?"

Immortal Lu replied, "Yes, I knew that the sack was filled with stones."

Chung-li Ch'uan then said, "Do you know that the rocks that you've been carrying around all these years could be turned into gold? Because you have shown sincerity and humility and have never uttered a word of complaint, I shall teach you how to turn these stones into gold if you wish.

Immortal Lu asked Chung-li Ch'uan, "When these stones have been transformed into gold, will they be identical to real gold?"

Chung-li Ch'uan replied, "No, gold that has been transformed from stones or other objects will only last for five hundred years. After that, they will return to their original form."

Immortal Lu said, "Then I do not wish to learn the techniques of turning stones into gold. If the gold is not permanent, then what I do now will have harmful effects five hundred years later. I would rather be ignorant of a technique which may potentially harm people."

Hearing Lu Tung-pin's reply, Chung-li Ch'uan said, "Your foundations are stronger than mine. Your level of enlightenment will be higher than mine. As you have enlightened me, I now realize that this technique of turning stones to gold or silver or precious gems is not worth learning and not worth teaching." From Historical Legend of Sun Bu-er: http://www.earlywomenmasters.net/masters/buer/index.html

Picture: The Immortal Zhongli Quan, late 1400s, attributed to Zhao Qi, China, Ming dynasty (1368-1644), hanging scroll, ink and colors on silk, The Cleveland Museum of Art. From: Taoism & The Arts of China http://www.rightreading.com/writing/taoism-and-the-arts-of-china.htm

Zhongli Quan

2007-03-12T11:11:00.001-07:00

Zhongli Quan, or Chung-li Ch'üan, is one of the most ancient of the Eight Immortals (the oldest is Iron-crutch Li) and the leader of the group. (Some people consider Lü Dongbin to be an informal leader.) He is also known as Zhongli of Han because he was born in the Han Dynasty. He possesses a fan which has the magical ability of reviving the dead. He has a very rare double-character surname, Zhongli.(From Wikipedia)

Bamboo Carving of Zhongli Quan.
Circa 1880. One of the eight Immortals, Zhongli Quan is usually shown holding a fan.

From: LiAsia Gallery 31 SPRING ST., WILLIAMSTOWN, MA 01267
http://www.liasiagallery.com/index.html

Chung-li Ch'üan

2007-03-12T11:11:00.000-07:00

Chung-li Ch'üan

Pinyin Zhongli Quan in Chinese mythology, one of the Pa Hsien (q.v.), the Eight Immortals of Taoism. A wine-drinking recluse in quest of immortality, he is often depicted as a potbellied, bearded old man holding a fan with a tassel of horse hairs. Occasionally he is depicted as a military man and is credited with unusual knowledge of alchemy.

"Chung-li Ch'uan." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2007. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 12 Mar. 2007 <http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9082539>

Hanford Taoist Temple

2007-03-11T23:11:00.001-07:00

Taoist Temple
Hanford's Chinatown grew and prospered rapidly to include its own restaurants, additional homes, grocery stores, laundries, tobacco shops, herbal shops with several herb doctors in residence, sundries stores and, of course, many gambling establishments; a virtual "city within a city." It is a fascinating adventure to visit the Taoist Temple and museum. Allowing us a step back into history we can almost feel the presence of worship in the temple and business of living within the alley. After climbing the steep steps to enter the temple, one is surrounded by vestiges of a by-gone era. Furnishings are the original pieces with the exception of some flowers on the main altar table which were donated by a couple from Bakersfield following the demise of the originals. The building is constructed of "on-site" hand made brick, creating one foot thick walls. The internal walls were then covered with a thin layer of plaster which was painstakingly painted to simulate brick.

http://www.visithanford.com/downtownmap/downtownmap18.html

Hanford Taoist Temple

2007-03-11T23:11:00.000-07:00

National Register #72000226
Taoist Temple
12 China Alley
Hanford
Built 1893

The Taoist Temple is now a museum.

Greeting the visitor at the top of the stairs are several large plaques covered with Chines characters, which list the names of members of the Sam Yup Association who donated monies for the building's construction. On the south wall are carved figures of the eight immortals (mythical personages likened to the Patron Saints in Catholicism) while their corresponding ceremonial staves are displayed next to the stairwell. Across the room is a ceremonial "oven" or incinerator in which were burned paper offerings of money or clothing to the individual's ancestors. Silk embroideries show symbolic animals and birds, the meaning of which are explained by docents. The tools of individual "worship" have remained where they were used, leaving a treasured legacy through which we may partially learn of their fascinating ways.

http://www.noehill.com/kings/nat1972000226.asp

LÜ TUNG-PIN

2007-03-10T23:11:00.002-08:00

LÜ TUNG-PIN

"The Patriarch of Hsien, best known as Lü Tung-pin, is represented a dignified elderly man generally clothed in the dress worn by the scholarly class. His emblem is the magic two-edged sword, which he carries in his hand or slung on his back. He is the literary member of our group; and, while in some localities regarded as the patron saint of jugglers and magicians,² he is more widely looked upon by barbers as their special protector.³ In the last capacity he is called in Peking the Patriarch Lo ⁴.

During the chêng-ho period of the Sung (A.D. 1111-17) there appeared in the palace demons even in broad daylight, who plundered the treasury of gold and silver, and also kidnapped some of the imperial concubines.

The Emperor purified himself by fasting, and humbly offered supplications to heaven for the space of sixty days without ceasing. One day he fell asleep and saw in his dream standing outside the Tung-hua Gate of the palace a Taoist adept, wearing upon his head p. 798 a green lotus-cap,¹ and upon his back a dark crane's-down robe. In his hand he carried a crystal ju-i.² Bowing to the Emperor, he said: "Your servant has been sent by the Supreme Ruler of the Universe to control these demons." Then he summoned an officer resplendent in golden armour, who seizing the demons tore them in pieces and swallowed them till none were left. In answer to the Emperor's query as to the identity of this gallant warrior the Taoist replied: "He is no other than Kuan Yü ³, whom Your Majesty invested with the title Revered and Immortal Prince." The Emperor thanked the officer repeatedly, and then asked him where was Chang Fei ⁴. Kuan Yü replied: "Every generation Chang Fei becomes reincarnate in the person of some male child. At the present time, in order to serve Your Majesty, he is being reborn in a family called Yo, living at Hsiang Chou ⁵."

Asked by the Emperor what was his name, the Taoist replied: "Your servant is called Yang, and was born on the 14th day of the 4th month."⁶

The Emperor awoke from his dream, and having looked up the records, knew that the Taoist was really Tung-pin. Henceforth the demons remained permanently expelled from the palace. An imperial edict ordered that in all the shrines dedicated to Tung-pin throughout China he should be known by the title The Pure One of Subtle Intellect."

From: THE JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND FOR 1916 [LONDON, 1916] {Reduced to HTML by Christopher M. Weimer, August 2002} XXI THE EIGHT IMMORTALSBy W. PERCEVAL YETTS

http://www.sacred-texts.com/journals/jras/1916-21.htm

CHUNG-LI CH‘ÜAN, one of the Eight Immortals

2007-03-10T23:11:00.001-08:00

CHUNG-LI CH‘ÜAN

"And so his heart returned to the contemplation of Tao. He earnestly begged for the secret of transcending mortal limitations from the old man, who thereupon imparted to him not only an infallible magic process for attaining longevity, but also the degree of heat required to produce the "Philosopher's Stone", and the Green Dragon ¹ method of sword-play.² As Chung-li Ch‘üan was about to depart, having taken leave of the old man, he turned round for a last look at the village, and lo! it had vanished...

Chung-li Ch‘üan wandered about in haphazard fashion till he reached the State of Lu ¹, and dwelt for a while in the city of Tsou. Later on he retired to the K‘ung-t‘ung Mountains,² and took up his abode on the Red-gold Peak, where the Four Grey-heads ³ had lived. There he found a jade casket containing the arcana of Taoism, and, having attained hsienship, departed this world."

From: THE JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND FOR 1916 [LONDON, 1916] {Reduced to HTML by Christopher M. Weimer, August 2002} XXI THE EIGHT IMMORTALSBy W. PERCEVAL YETTS

http://www.sacred-texts.com/journals/jras/1916-21.htm

Beijing has spared a Taoist temple

2007-03-10T23:11:00.000-08:00

Beijing has spared a Taoist temple on the grounds of the 2008 Games. Many other Chinese treasures have not been so lucky.

( Miranda Mimi Kuo for The NYT )

"The Olympics site seems to be an example of how China's antiquities protection system should work. Construction supervisors and archaeologists have collaborated for four years, conducting excavations and restoring three Taoist temples, including one near the National Stadium, the main Olympic venue...

But elsewhere in China, archaeologists are often in a losing race against bulldozers. In late January, a work crew in the ancient capital city of Nanjing unearthed and destroyed the burial sites of 10 noblemen from six dynasties. By the time a team of local archaeologists arrived, bulldozers had crushed the burial crypts and looters had combed through the site.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/02/05/news/beijing.php

Chinese Mason Building, Walnut Grove California

2007-02-22T23:11:00.001-08:00

Chinese Mason Building,
River Road elevation, Walnut Grove.

Photo by Mary L. Manieri for Par Environmental Services

This building housed the Bing Kong Tong Benevolent Association and served as the social center for Chinatown. It was constructed soon after the 1937 fire to replace an earlier temple and benevolent society on the same spot.

Between 1850 and 1880, operators of mining camps and railroad construction projects eagerly hired Chinese workers until European American workers began to demonstrate bitter opposition. Although prejudice and violence drove the Chinese out of mining, they played a major role in the construction of the western section of the transcontinental railroad. When the railroad was completed in 1869, some of those Chinese laborers were hired to work on an extensive levee project in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.

http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/locke/lovisual1.htm

Chinese Mason Building, Walnut Grove California

2007-02-22T23:11:00.000-08:00

Chinese Mason Building,
Market Street elevation, Walnut Grove.

Photo by Mary L. Manieri for Par Environmental Services

Two communities that demonstrate the experiences of early Asian immigrants and their struggle to find a place in American society are Locke and Walnut Grove, California. Located near the junction of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers, these towns became a central area for immigrant agricultural workers in the Delta region.

http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/locke/lovisual1.htm

San Francisco Chinatown, 1900

2006-08-08T11:11:00.000-07:00

Changing Chinatown Exactly how well do we know the neighborhood?

A child is attracted to a fortune teller on a Chinatown street in this photo circa 1900. Photo courtesy of the Chinese Historical Society of America

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/08/08/DDGQVKBO1V1.DTL

Taoist Talisman

2006-08-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

These cards are believed to have magical powers which aid in longevity, wealth, marriage, childbirth, and protecting you as you own personal guardian angel.

Long Life

©Tao Arts, 2003 - 2006.

http://www.taoarts.com/charms.html

Temple of the Forest Beneath the Clouds

2006-08-01T23:11:00.002-07:00

The altar inside the Temple of the Forest Beneath the Clouds is spectacular.

There are three ornately carved wooden canopies containing images of gods along the back wall opposite the spirit screens, and in front of them is an altar holding candles, incense sticks, oracle fortune sticks and an oracle book, wine cups, and pictures of Immortals painted on glass. Before this altar is a small wooden table on which food offerings are placed and a stone urn used to offer alcoholic beverages, usually whiskey.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=23114

Weaverville Joss House

2006-08-01T23:11:00.001-07:00

About 1852 or 1853, the Chinese erected a place of Taoist worship at Chimney Point in Weaverville, Trinity county.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=23105

Weaverville Joss House

2006-08-01T23:11:00.000-07:00

Weaverville Joss House SHP is considered the oldest original Chinese house of worship in California.

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=23105

Hei Long Tan

2006-07-21T23:11:00.001-07:00

From the website of Chun-Lei Yang.

http://www.sinica.edu.tw/~cly/photo/LiJiang-HeiLongTan-14.JPG

Black Dragon Pool

2006-07-21T23:11:00.000-07:00

Black Dragon Pool

The Heilongtan (Black Dragon Pool), which lies in the Wulao Hills, is a famous sight on the northern outskirts of Kunming. A legend says that a long long time ago there were ten dragons doing great harm to the people. Lu Dong-bin, one of the Eight Deities, subdued nine of them and buried them under an ancient pagoda. A small black dragon was left here and was commanded to do good to The people. Hence the name of the pool.

http://www.echinaromance.com/destinations/lijiang_scenicspots4.htm

Mass Burning of Joss Paper

2006-07-14T11:12:00.000-07:00

Hungry Ghosts Festival
9 August to 6 September 2002
Mass Burning of Joss Paper

The Singapore Hostel - The InnCrowd Hostel Singapore
All Rights Reserved. Text & Images Copyright © since 2002

http://www.the-inncrowd.com/imageshungryghost/index.htm

Zong Kui Elliminating Ghosts

2006-07-14T11:11:00.003-07:00

Zhong Kui, a legendary figure who eliminated ghosts.

Zhong, a legendary figure first mentioned in a Song dynasty book, was supposed to have lived under the Tang dynasty during the reign of the Emperor Xuan Zong.

"Zhong Kui is my name." He told the emperor that he died after failing the imperial examination for military officers, but has always resolved to wipe out all demons and monsters.

http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/1521/2006/03/21/44@64944.htm

Zhong Kui

2006-07-14T11:11:00.002-07:00

Zhong Kui is the god of literature and examinations, the protector against evil spirits and demons.

It was believed he could protect those living there from disasters and prolong their lives by driving away evil spirits, and many people still hang his image up at the start of every year today.

http://www.mysticunicorn.com/ord5512.html

Zhong Kui

2006-07-14T11:11:00.001-07:00

Zhong Kui

Title: Zhong Kui
Artist: Jin Bin
Size: 27" X 53"
Mounted: Yes
Original/Repro: Hand painted original
Medium: Rice paper
Date of Creation: 2005

Copyrights (c) 2005, 2006 Reserved by Xabusiness.com

http://www.xabusiness.com/chinese-religion-paintings/br-0083-chinese-paintings.htm

Zhong Kui the Demon Queller

2006-07-14T11:11:00.000-07:00

Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Tianqi period (1621–27) dated 1624

Unmounted sheet comprising 3 joined sheets, ink rubbed on paper; 199.7 x 109.7 cm

Date of rubbing not given, Qing dynasty (1644–1911)

This portrait, engraved on a large stone stele, depicts Zhong Kui in the pose of a warrior. However, he carries a qin (zither) and a case of books.

Copyright Holder: National Library of China Copyright 2005.

http://www.askasia.org/teachers/images/image.php?no=271&review=yes

Hanging Up Zhong Kui's Portrait

2006-07-13T23:11:00.001-07:00

In the custom of the Ming and Qing dynasties, putting up the Celestial Master's Talisman became a custom of the Duanwu festival. In some places, people even put up Talismans from the beginning of the 5th month and put them down them as late as the 1st of the 6th month. So there is a poem saying, "Every year when new Talismans replace old ones, Daoists thus have business with their followers. Vital Breath is infused into their dragon-and-snake-like strokes when they draw Talismans with red brushes." The poet's own commentary to the poem says, "Talismans are put up between two pillars on Duanyang Festival to dispel evil and invite blessings. Several days earlier, Daoists draw Talismans in red and send them to all those families that often recite scriptures. These Daoist followers are like business customers." (Street Song of the Year in Hu City by Zhang Chunhua of the Qing Dynasty)

http://www.eng.taoism.org.hk/religious-activities&rituals/daoist-folk-customs/pg4-8-7.asp

Zhong Kui

2006-07-13T23:11:00.000-07:00

Zhong Kui (鍾馗) is a figure of Chinese mythology. Traditionally regarded as a vanquisher of demons, his image is often painted on household gates as a guardian spirit.

Zhong Kui's popularity in folklore can be traced to the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang China (712 to 756). According to Song Dynasty sources, once the Emperor Xuanzong was gravely ill. He had a dream in which he saw two ghosts. The smaller of the ghosts stole a purse from imperial consort Yang Guifei and a flute belonging to the emperor. The bigger ghost, wearing the hat of an official, captured the smaller ghost, tore out his eye and ate it. The bigger ghost then introduced himself as Zhong Kui. He said that he had sworn to rid the empire of evil.

Data from:
http://www.answers.com/topic/zhong-kui

Picture from:
http://z.about.com/d/chineseculture/1/0/z/c/4/zhongkui.jpg

Temple of the City God, Hangzhou, China

2006-06-23T23:12:00.000-07:00

Temple of the City God

Pictures from around Hangzhou.

Copyright © 1998-2005, chuck @ china, chuck~@llanson
All rights reserved.

http://chake.chinatefl.com/cc13d.html

Temple of the City God and city wall in Shanghai

2006-06-23T23:11:00.005-07:00

Temple of the City God and city wall in Shanghai

© 2004

http://postcard.ish-lyon.cnrs.fr/Browsing.php?Start=390

Temple of the City God, Pingyao City, Shanxi, China

2006-06-23T23:11:00.002-07:00

Pingyao's Temple of the City God was built during the Northern Song Dynasty (960 - 1127).

The architectural style is Taoist involving the use of blue and green tiles that confirm the high level of importance the temple had for the city.

A double-eave wooden arch in front of the Temple of the City God, Pingyao City, Shanxi.

Travel China Guide

Copyright© 1998-2006 TravelChinaGuide.com, All rights reserved.

Hsia Hai City God Temple, Taiwan

2006-06-23T23:11:00.001-07:00

Hsia Hai City God Temple was integral to the development of Tihua Street.

PHOTO: COURTESY YANG LIEN-FU, HE SHANG CHOU WORKSHOP

Taipei Times

Hsinchu City god Temple (Cheng Huang Temple)

2006-06-23T16:34:00.000-07:00

Hsinchu City god Temple (Cheng Huang Temple)

Hsinchu City god Temple (Cheng Huang Temple) is regarded as the highest-ranking of all City God temples in Taiwan, due to the superior spiritual power of its City God in protecting the town.

Copyright ©2002 Tourism Bureau, R.O.C (Taiwan) All Rights Reserved.

http://202.39.225.132/jsp/Eng/html/attractions/scenic_spots.jsp?id=447#

The Jade Emperor

2006-06-15T23:11:00.009-07:00

The Jade Emperor sits in a cloud of insense.

Temple to the Jade Emperor in Saigon, Vietnam.

In Vietnam, Taoist thought is suberseded by concrete interaction between man and more tangible deities representing the forces of nature (animism). Ruling the spirits, genies and demons is the Jade Emperor, while Eight Immortals, who drank the elixir of immortality, intercede on behalf of the faithful.
http://www.marymount.k12.ny.us/marynet/StudentResources/art/southeastasia/vietnam/html/tao.html

The cave dwelling of Lu Dongbin

2006-06-15T23:11:00.007-07:00

The cave dwelling of Lu Dongbin on Sacred Mount Tai.

Together with Qufu, Confucius' birthplace, Taishan (1545 m.) is by far the best sight in Shandong Province, with a huge display of temples, towers, pavilions, caves and inscribed stones.

The temple and the cave dwelling of the immortal Lu Dongbin are on Taishan.

Copyright © 1998-2003 Diana Lavarini & Anna Del Franco.

http://www.sinophilia.org/china/luoghitao1.htm

Sacred Mount Tai

2006-06-15T23:11:00.006-07:00

The Taishan (Mount Tai) is the most important of the five Taoist sacred mountains, now target of hords of pilgrims and tourists.

At the top, the Jade Emperor Temple.

http://www.sinophilia.org/china/luoghitao1.htm

Copyright © 1998-2003 Diana Lavarini & Anna Del Franco.

Jade Emperor

2006-06-15T23:11:00.005-07:00

Under the Taoist gods, there are four Heavenly Emperors respected as Yu Huang (Jade Emperor) who governs other deities, and the other three who help him. Their positions and costumes indicate their status.

Yuquan Taoism Temple.

Copyright© 1998-2006 TravelChinaGuide.com, All rights reserved.

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/picture/gansu/tianshui/yuquan_temple/0003049.htm

The Jade Emperor

2006-06-15T23:11:00.003-07:00

The Jade Emperor , known informally by children and commoners as Grandpa Heaven and known formally as the Pure August Jade Emperor , is the ruler of Heaven according to Chinese mythology and among the most important gods of the Chinese Taoist pantheon.

He and his court are part of a celestial bureaucracy ruling over every aspect of human and animal life.

http://www.natural-tribal-designs.com/index.php

http://www.natural-tribal-designs.com/product_info.php/products_id/311

Taoist God - Dai Miao, Taian, China

2006-06-15T23:11:00.002-07:00

Taoist God - Dai Miao, Taian.

Photo by Bill Irwin.

http://www.billirwinphotography.com/taishan.htm

Temple of Heavenly Blessing - Dai Miao - Taian, China

2006-06-15T23:11:00.001-07:00

Temple of Heavenly Blessing - Dai Miao - Taian.

The pilgrims path begins in the town of Taian at the sprawling Dai Miao Temple.

Photo by Bill Irwin

http://www.billirwinphotography.com/taishan.htm

Pure August Jade Emperor, Yü Huang Shang Ti

2006-06-15T23:11:00.000-07:00

Pure August Jade Emperor, Yü Huang Shang Ti.

Also known as Tien Kung, he is the supreme deity of folk religion.

The Jade Emperor dwelt in the Jade Castle of Abstraction, high above the earth and the thirty-three heavens, according to some accounts; or according to others, on the Mountain of Jade in the K'un Lun range. Here, on the shore of the Jade Lake, grew a Jade Tree, which measured three hundred arm lengths across and whose red jade fruit conferred the boon of eternal life.

Images of the Jade Emperor normally show him seated in imperial robes, his flattopped crown notable for the short strings of pearls that dangle from the front. He holds a short, flat tablet in both hands before his chest.

http://www.holymtn.com/jade/JadeEmperor.htm

Copyright © 1996-2001 Holy Mountain Trading Company. All rights reserved.

Jade Emperor

2006-06-12T23:12:00.000-07:00

The Jade Emperor (Pinyin: Yù Huáng or Yù Dì), known informally by children and commoners as Heavenly Grandfather (Tiān Gōng) and known formally as the Pure August Jade Emperor or August Personage of Jade (Yu Huang Shangdi or Yu Huang Dadi), is the ruler of Heaven according to Chinese mythology and among the most important gods of the Chinese Taoist pantheon.

It was said that the Jade Emperor was originally the crown prince of the kingdom of Pure Felicity and Majestic Heavenly Lights and Ornaments... After his father died, he ascended the throne. He made sure that everyone in his kingdom found peace and contentment, after that he told his ministers that he wished to cultivate Dao on the Bright and Fragant Cliff. After 1,750 trials, each trial lasting for 120,976 years, he attained Golden Immortality. After another a hundred million years of cultivation, he finally became the Jade Emperor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jade_Emperor

All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License

Da Yu's Mausoleum

2006-06-09T23:11:00.004-07:00

Da Yu's Mausoleum

Da Yu's Mausoleum, a temple and mausoleum complex in honor of China's "great grandfather" Emperor Yu, took over 100 years to erect.

Six kilometers southeast of Shaoxing stands an ancient complex that comprises a tomb, temple and memorial hall built to commemorate Da Yu. It is named Da Yu's Mausoleum after the ancient Chinese hero who conquered a disastrous flood.

http://www.chinaculture.org/gb/en_travel/2004-09/14/content_60263_2.htm

Copyright © 2003 Ministry of Culture, P.R.China. All rights reserved

Taoist Talisman

2006-06-09T23:11:00.002-07:00

Taoist Talisman

TALISMANS
Chinese talismans have the same function as Ba Gua - to ward off evil spirits, and are often small pieces of paper or cloth with prayers or mantras written on them. Buddhist talismans are small pieces of yellow cloth with sacred writings from Buddhist scriptures and a picture of Buddha painted on it. Taoist talismans are also made of yellow cloth, but instead contain mantras from the I-Ching. Talismans can be worn or hung on doors. It is particularly common for children to wear talismans as it is believed that they are too young to fight off evil energies by themselves.

http://www.sfchinatownghosttours.com/home.html?fengshui.html&1

Taoist Charm

2006-06-09T23:11:00.001-07:00

Taoist charm from www.lib.ntu.edu.tw/

This image is in the public domain because its copyright has expired.

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhengyi_Dao

Ancient Taoist Talisman

2006-06-09T23:11:00.000-07:00

Ancient Taoist talisman designed to vitalize the brain. From the Tao-tsang; Section 2: The Cave of Mysteries; Wieger index number 543-41:22b.

The Tao-tsang, also known as Taoist Canon, is the largest collection of Taoist sacred, philosophical, magical and alchemical texts. It contains texts and images from both major branches of Taoism: Tao-chia (the so-called "philosophical and mystical branch") and Tao-chiao (the so-called "religious, alchemical branch").

Many works of the canon date back to the 3rd/5th century, and it was first printed in 1190.

http://www.yoniversum.nl/pandora/taomagic.html

The Pace of Yu from Secret Essentials on Assembling the Perfected of the Most High

2006-06-08T23:11:00.004-07:00

The Great Yu in prehistory was the chief of a tribe that lived along the Yellow River about 5,000 years ago. He was said to have great shamanic powers: First, legend has it that his father, when near death, turned into a bear and when his belly was opened, he brought out his son, Yu, the great. Yu was said to change himself into a bear at will and throughout his life he walked with the "bear's gait." This transformation and dance became known thereafter as the "Pace of Yu." Yu frequently traveled to the North Star to overhear the celestial will after he had shape-shifted into a bear. The dance itself is known to be at least 10,000 years old.
From: The Online Journal of the I Ching, Yi Jing

Yuan Miaozong
The Pace of Yu from Secret Essentials on Assembling the Perfected of the Most High for the Relief of the State and Deliverance of the People, from the Taoist Canon of the Zhentong Reign
Ming dynasty, Zhengtong reign
1444
woodblock-printed book, ink on paper
35.4 x 12.7 cm
From: Artnet
©2006 artnet - The art world online. All rights reserved.

The Chinese Dark Lord of the North - Xuan Wu

2006-06-08T23:11:00.003-07:00

Very ancient drawings of a black snake and tortoise together symbolize the Dark Lord. These reptilian creatures, the snake and tortoise, were probably themselves worshipped or were powerful medicine to help in overcoming one's enemies. From Shang times onward, the flag bearing this symbol was part of the king's color guard.

The Chinese Dark Lord of the North - Xuan Wu

The Dark Lord of the North or Xuan Wu Da Di is a deity that comes from the pre- history of shamanic times (c. 6000 BC). In relatively modern Chinese prehistory (c. 1200 BC) the Dark Lord has become the human figure of a warrior with wild, unruly black hair, dressed in the primitive clothing of the tribal peoples of Neolithic times.

The Online Journal of the I Ching, Yi Jing

Taoist Master Zhang Daoling

2006-06-07T11:11:00.005-07:00

The sacred image of Taoist Master Zhang Daoling.

The Long Hu Mountain in Jiangxi province, China, is where the temple of legendary Taoist Master Zhang Daoling is situated; widely believed to be a location with one of the best Fengshui in the whole of China.

From:
Ultimate Way Fengshui Web

Chang Tao-Ling

2006-06-07T11:11:00.002-07:00

Zhang Daoling (张道陵, Wade Giles: Chang Tao-ling), also called "Zhang Ling." Eastern Han dynasty (2nd Century CE) Taoist hermit who founded the Zhengyi Mengwei Tianshi Dao ("Tradition of the Celestial Master of the Mighty Commonwealth of Orthodox Oneness") sect of Taoism , also known as the "Tianshi Dao" ("Way of the Celestial Masters") sect or the "Wudou Mi Dao" ("Way of Five Bushels of Rice") sect.According to tradition, in 142 CE, Lao Zi (Lao Tse) himself appeared to Zhang Daoling on Mount Heming, and informed the hermit that the world was coming to an end, to be followed by an era of Great Peace.

Image of Chang Tao-Ling from "The Mythology of All Races, Vol. 8" by John Ferguson & Masaharu Anesaki.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhang_Daoling

All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License (see Copyrights for details).

Zhang Daoling (Patriarch of the Celestial Masters)

2006-06-07T11:11:00.001-07:00

Zhang Daoling (Patriarch of the Celestial Masters)
Celestial Master Zhang dispels the Five Poisons

From the:
Taoist Culture and Research Center

http://www.eng.taoism.org.hk/general-daoism/eminent-philosophers&accomplished-daoists/img146a.asp

Tianshidong Monastery, Chingsheng Mountain, China

2006-06-07T11:11:00.000-07:00

Daoist ceremony at Tianshidong Monastery
on Chingsheng Mountain.

From the website of Ann Furniss.

Mt.Wudang Map

2006-06-07T10:12:00.000-07:00

Mt.Wudang Map
Mt.Wudang is one of the famous mountains to the Taoists. It is 400 km in circumference and has such natural sceneries as 72 peaks, 24 ravines, 11 caves, 9 springs, 3 pools, 9 wells, 10 rocks and 9 terraces.

From Maps of China.

Three Pure Ones on Wudang Shan, China

2006-06-06T23:11:00.002-07:00

Alle weiteren auch noch so kleinen Tempel verlangen Eintrittsgelder und es gibt eine Vielzahl von Tempeln.

http://www.shaolin-wushu.de/main_fr.htm?wudang_shan.htm

Xuan Wu Dadi (Dark Lord of the North)

2006-06-06T11:11:00.000-07:00

Xuan Wu Dadi (Dark Lord of the North) Lord Xuan Wu (variously called The Dark Lord of the North, The Lord of True Martiality, the North Lord Xuan Wu, Lord Black, The Lord of Black Martiality, etc.) is one of the most widely revered Gods of traditional China, ranking in popularity behind only Guan Yin and Guan Gong. The God is usually depicted in black robes, holding a sword and sometimes wearing a jade belt. His long black hair flows freely down his back. Lord Xuan Wu is always depicted with a tortoise and a snake, sometimes beneath one of his feet. He is revered as a powerful God, able to control the elements (worshipped by those wishing to avoid fires), and capable of great magic. He is particularly revered by martial artists, and is the 'patron saint' of Wudang Mountain in China's Hubei Province, where he allegedly attained immortality. The name "wudang" roughly translates as "only Xuan Wu deserves it."

http://www.taoarts.com/statuarywood.html

©Tao Arts, 2003 - 2006.

The Five Idols in the Holy of Holies in the Joss Temple of Lung Gong

2006-06-05T23:12:00.000-07:00

Title: Chinatown, S. F. Cal. The Five Idols in the Holy of Holies in the Joss Temple of Lung Gong. Copyright 1887 by I. W. Taber, Pho. San Francisco

Owning Institution: The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-6000; http://bancroft.berkeley.edu

More information about this image

The Online Archive of California (OAC) is an initiative of the California Digital Library
© 2006 by The Regents of The University of California

http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/hb9v19p053/

Shrine Interior with altar, 1905 California

2006-06-05T23:11:00.005-07:00

Title: [Interior with altar(?)

Owning Institution: The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-6000; http://bancroft.berkeley.edu

More information about this image

The Online Archive of California (OAC) is an initiative of the California Digital Library
© 2006 by The Regents of The University of California

http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/hb5b69n72z/

Shrine interior with altar, California, 1905

2006-06-05T23:11:00.004-07:00

Title: [Interior with altar(?)

Owning Institution: The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-6000; http://bancroft.berkeley.edu

More information about this image

The Online Archive of California (OAC) is an initiative of the California Digital Library
© 2006 by The Regents of The University of California

http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/hb5b69n72z/

Chinatown, S. F. Cal. Joss Temple of Lung Gong

2006-06-05T23:11:00.003-07:00

Title:Chinatown, S. F. Cal. The incense table in the Joss Temple of Lung Gong

Owning Institution:The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-6000; http://bancroft.berkeley.edu

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http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/hb938nb39b/

The Online Archive of California (OAC) is an initiative of the California Digital Library
© 2006 by The Regents of The University of California

Chinatown, S. F. Cal. The Joss Temple

2006-06-05T23:11:00.002-07:00

Title: Chinatown, S. F. Cal. The Joss Temple

Owning Institution: The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-6000; http://bancroft.berkeley.edu

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http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/hb596nb0k3/

The Online Archive of California (OAC) is an initiative of the California Digital Library
© 2006 by The Regents of The University of California

Symbolic Carving - Joss House, California

2006-06-05T23:11:00.001-07:00

Title: Symbolic Carving - Joss House

Owning Institution: The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-6000; http://bancroft.berkeley.edu

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http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/hb0c6000b8/

The Online Archive of California (OAC) is an initiative of the California Digital Library
© 2006 by The Regents of The University of California

Shrine - Joss House, California

2006-06-05T23:11:00.000-07:00

Title: Shrine - Joss House

Owning Institution: The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-6000; http://bancroft.berkeley.edu

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http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/hb5c6003th/

The Online Archive of California (OAC) is an initiative of the California Digital Library
© 2006 by The Regents of The University of California

Chinese Josh House, S. F., Cal.

2006-06-05T14:01:00.000-07:00

Title: Chinese Josh House, S. F., Cal.

Owning Institution: The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-6000; http://bancroft.berkeley.edu

More information about this image

[Ed note: I'd like to find out the name of this temple and if it still stands in San Francisco. I suspect it's the one that fell during the 1906 earthquake and fire - JO]

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The Online Archive of California (OAC) is an initiative of the California Digital Library
© 2006 by The Regents of The University of California

Joss - Private House, California

2006-06-04T23:11:00.000-07:00

Title: Joss - Private House

Owning Institution: The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-6000; http://bancroft.berkeley.edu

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[Editorial Note: This deity is likely Guan Gong, as the halberd looks a lot like his.]

The Online Archive of California (OAC) is an initiative of the California Digital Library
© 2006 by The Regents of The University of California

Temple in Los Angeles

2006-06-02T23:11:00.000-07:00

"Chinatown Temple (廟)I visited a temple on the outskirts of Chinatown on Broadway. This temple has been there since as far back as I can remember, which is the early 80s. After nearly 20 years of mystery, I finally took a look out of curiosity. The temple looks so out of place, nestled between an ugly apartment complex, a crummy commerical building, and Elysian Park behind it. I have never really paid much attention to temples until I came back from Beijing, but now I see they are litered here and there all over L.A.. along with several Buddhist monasteries."

From the blog of the ABC:

http://theabc.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Dong Yue Temple,Beijing, China.

2006-05-19T23:11:00.004-07:00

Dong Yue Temple,Beijing.

Originally built in the 13th and 14th centuries with financial help from the Emperor Yuan Wenzong, Dong Yue was an important Imperial temple from the Ming Dynasty on, and thrived under patronage from the throne. It fell into disrepair after the last emperor was toppled in 1911.

Copyright © 2001-2006 天野工作室 all Rights Reserved 版权所有　※

http://www.skyeh.com/desktop/desktop5.htm

Da Cheng Dian, of the Confucius Temple, Beijing, China

2006-05-19T23:11:00.003-07:00

Hall of Great Completion (Da cheng dian), of the Confucius Temple in Beijing, situated north east of the Forbidden City.

The Confucius temple in Bejing was first built in 1302, and was periodically repaired and rebuilt during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

From the website of Thomas A. Wilson, Professor of East Asian History at Hamilton.

http://academics.hamilton.edu/asian_studies/home/TempleCulture.html

Main Hall of Great Completion of the Confucius Temple in Qufu, China

2006-05-19T23:11:00.002-07:00

The statues of Kongzi were removed from official temples, but they remained in the temples operated by Kongzi's family descendants, such as this statue of Kongzi in the Main Hall of Great Completion of the Confucius Temple in Qufu.

From the website of Thomas A. Wilson, professor of East Asian History at Hamilton.

http://academics.hamilton.edu/asian_studies/home/TempleCulture.html

Confucius' father Shuliang He, Qu Fu, China

2006-05-19T23:11:00.001-07:00

Pictured here is the spirit statue of Shuliang He.

Evidence suggests that as early as the eleventh century, Confucius temples had rooms to pay sacrifices to Confucius' father Shuliang He, and in 1048, a hall was built for this purpose.

From the website of
Thomas A. Wilson
Professor East Asian History at Hamilton

http://academics.hamilton.edu/asian_studies/home/TempleCulture.html

Guanyu Temple in Shanxi, China

2006-05-18T11:39:00.000-07:00

Guanyu temple in Shanxi.

From the blog of adventurer, Chris Pitts.

http://lonelyplanet.mytripjournal.com/GIW/WebObjects/MyTripJournal.woa/1/wo/BsTiqytzds1rNQDCwDmFSg/0.3.0.21.7.0.6.8.0

Joss House: Taoist Temples of California

Hyonmu (tortoise and snake)

Genbu, AKA Xuan Wu

Genbu: a black tortoise representing winter and the north

Po Kong Temple, Oakland, CA

Black tortoise-snake in the north

Paper house with Joss paper

Xuan Tian Shang Di Blogsite

Tran Vu aka Zhenwu

The Dark Lord of the North

Inside the historic Bok Kai Temple in Marysville

Return of the Bok Kai

by Katie Lawrence

Issue date:Section: News 2/16/05

Bok Kai Temple Scrolls

Zhenwu, Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven

Kuan Kong

Chung-li Ch’uan

Bok Kai Temple, Marysville, California

Bok Kai Temple, Marysville, California

Bok Kai Temple, Marysville, California

Bok Kai Temple, Marysville, California

Bok Kai Temple, Marysville, California

Bok Kai Temple, Marysville, California

Bok Kai Temple, Marysville, California

Bok Kai Temple

Blue & White Jar, Ming Dynasty

Ivory Fly Whisk Handle, Qing Dynasty

Han Chung-li

Lu Tung Pin

HAN CHUNG LI

Lu Tung Pin - Immortal Lu

Chung Li-ch'uan

Han Chung-li

Lü Dong Bin

Han Zhongli

Zhongli Quan and Lu Dongbin

ZHONG-LI QUAN

Han Zhongli

Chung-li Ch'uan

Zhongli Quan

Chung-li Ch'üan

Chung-li Ch'üan

Hanford Taoist Temple

Hanford Taoist Temple

LÜ TUNG-PIN

LÜ TUNG-PIN

CHUNG-LI CH‘ÜAN, one of the Eight Immortals

CHUNG-LI CH‘ÜAN

Beijing has spared a Taoist temple

Chinese Mason Building, Walnut Grove California

Chinese Mason Building, Walnut Grove California

San Francisco Chinatown, 1900

Taoist Talisman

Temple of the Forest Beneath the Clouds

Weaverville Joss House

Weaverville Joss House

Hei Long Tan

Black Dragon Pool

Mass Burning of Joss Paper

Zong Kui Elliminating Ghosts

Zhong Kui

Zhong Kui

Zhong Kui the Demon Queller

Copyright Holder: National Library of China Copyright 2005.

Hanging Up Zhong Kui's Portrait

Zhong Kui

Temple of the City God, Hangzhou, China

Copyright © 1998-2005, chuck @ china, chuck~@llanson All rights reserved.

Temple of the City God and city wall in Shanghai

Temple of the City God and city wall in Shanghai

© 2004

Temple of the City God, Pingyao City, Shanxi, China

Hsia Hai City God Temple, Taiwan

Hsinchu City god Temple (Cheng Huang Temple)

The Jade Emperor

The cave dwelling of Lu Dongbin

Sacred Mount Tai

Jade Emperor

The Jade Emperor

Copyright © 1998-2005, chuck @ china, chuck~@llanson
All rights reserved.