有拜有保佑Blessings For The Ones Who Pray

今天，正月初九，是天公誕，就是玉皇大天尊的聖誕，也就是我們華人在家所供奉的「天官賜福」也。那為什麼要在這天講天公誕，有什麼特別需要在這天講呢？

是這樣的，因為當偉大的聖者，佛陀，在菩提樹下成道之時，祂原本就想隨即進入涅盤，没有想要住世傳達佛法。祂認為世間的人不會明白祂的證悟。這時候就有兩位大天神下降，其中一位就是，在佛家譽為帝釋天主，的玉皇大天尊。另外一位就是大梵天王。祂們雙雙下降，很客氣、很殷勤、很誠懇地請佛住世。

如果當年沒有玉皇大天尊佛住世，我們所有的人類到現在都還不會有出離這六道輪迴的一個法門，所以祂實為我們眾生的大恩人。因此在祂的聖誕，我們不能夠忘記，必須得感恩圖報。在這時候，一般的福建人就會買長長的甘蔗。在天公誕的那一天，供上非常珍貴的珍品來供養玉皇大天尊。我也希望所有的華族同胞，家中沒有安天公爐的，在家可以自行準備一個長長、乾淨的桌子，又拿個乾淨的水果罐的空罐子，外圍用紅紙包著，寫上「天官賜福」，放八分米，插三支大香，和一包小香供給家庭成員，各持三支香，為自己的所需祝禱。

最主要是這一天是我們很好向祂，南無天公玉皇大天尊，致謝的一天。在祂的聖誕來臨之前，這世面上就會出現一種水果叫「佛手」。我們理應買這「佛手」在天公誕供養祂。祂等同於皇帝，可是比皇帝更尊貴，因為人間的皇帝也必須祂點名才能夠做地上的皇帝。

祂是我們眾生的父親和大恩人。這一天真的很值得我們上供祂、誦經持咒、向祂懺悔我們日常生活中所犯的種種大小過失及罪，祈求祂放光地加持我們業障消除、身心身體健康、家庭圓滿、事業順心等等等。天公是古佛再來，因此，在祂的佛辰懺悔絕對可以消業障。祝福你們。

Today is the Ninth Day of the First Lunar Month, which coincides with the auspicious Birthday of the Heavenly Jade Emperor, or “Tian Gong Dan”. Why would I talk about this auspicious event? What is the significance of this day?

The significance of it is as follows: When the Great Gautama Buddha, also known as Shakyamuni Buddha, achieved Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree, the Buddha had wanted to enter Nirvana and not remain in the human realm. He felt that the mortals would not understand His wisdom and attainment. At that very moment, two heavenly beings descended from the Heavens. One of them is the Heavenly Jade Emperor, the other one the Great Brahma King. They respectfully, diligently and sincerely persuaded the Buddha to remain in the mortal realm to propagate the Dharma.

If the Heavenly Jade Emperor did not convince the Buddha to remain in this realm, we mortals would never have a way to escape from the six realms of existence, thus He is regarded as the Great Benefactor of all sentient beings. That is why on His birthday, we must not forget and must repay this gratitude. During this day, Chinese people of Hokkien descent would buy long sugar canes as an offering to the Heavenly Emperor, together with other precious offerings. I hope that for those of us Chinese who do not worship the Heavenly Jade Emperor at home, you can prepare a long, clean table, and a empty tin can that was used to contain fruits. Wrap a red paper outside the can and write in Chinese characters “天官賜福” (Blessings from Heavenly Emperor) on it. Fill up 80% of the can with rice grains, and plant 3 big joss sticks, as well as prepare a small pack of joss sticks for the whole family. Each family member can each hold 3 small joss sticks and say their own prayers.

Most importantly, it is an auspicious day to pay our respects and gratitude to Him, the Heavenly Emperor. During this period, you may see a unique kind of fruit known as “Buddha Hand”. We should buy this fruit as an offering to Him. His stature is as noble as an Emperor and even more esteemed. Even the mortal kings in our world are also anointed by Him.

佛手果 Buddha’s Hand Fruit

The Heavenly Emperor is like the Father and Benefactor of all sentient beings. This day, the Ninth Day of the First Lunar Month, is indeed worthwhile and significant to present our offerings, to recite sutras and chant the mantras and to seek repentance for all sins we have committed in our daily lives. We can also pray for His Light and Blessings to remove our karmic hindrances, to enable us to have good physical and mental health, to have good family ties, and a fulfilling career, etc. The Heavenly Jade Emperor is a reincarnation of an ancient Buddha, thus on this auspicious day, you can definitely seek repentance and blessings from Him. Here’s sending my best wishes to you.