Shang Sin Chun Tong (Xing Shan Zhen Tang), Hong Kong

Purpose

Shang Sin Chun Tong ( 省善真堂 Xingshan Zhentang ) is a Daoist and Buddhist philanthropic religious organization. The character Xing indicates that those who practise and cultivate Dao should "examine themselves three times every day"; Shan indicates a calm and kind mind that knows benevolence and understands nature; Zhen indicates the cultivation of body and spirit and returning to simplicity and perfection; and Tang indicates being dignified and the practice of benevolence and accumulation of merits. The founding of this Daoist hall aims at the cultivation of oneself and the encouragement of virtues, the comprehension of Dao and the practice of benevolence, the fostering of a kind nature in pursuit of the written precepts of immortals and spirits revealed by the planchette, and the cultivation of oneself in observance of the eight virtues.

Founding

In 1952, the year of Renchen, the fourteen founders of Shang Sin Chun Tong rented a small building on Yingpan Road of Kowloon for the enlightenment of Dao on a reed cushion, the concealment of one's capacities, and the biding of one's time. Besides, they set up altars for the worship of The Supreme Venerable Sovereign ( 太上老君 Taishang Laojun ), the Heavenly Lord and Preacher of the Law Manjusri ( 文殊廣法天尊 Wenshu GuangFa Tianzun ), the Great Immortal Master ( 大仙師 Daxian Shi ) Li Tieguai, and the Great Immortal Master Lu Chunyang, in order to carry forward the doctrines and publicize Dao.

Development

In 1959, Shang Sin Chun Tong moved to Tangong Road in Kowloon, and the hall became fairly spacious. From then on the affairs of the hall developed more quickly, and there were more and more disciples day by day. In 1967, Shang Sin Chun Tong was registered by the Hong Kong government as a "limited corporation", and ratified to be a non-profit and tax-free philanthropic organization. It enthusiastically takes part in social and philanthropic service, and its affairs are developing day by day. At the beginning of 1997, the hall bought the whole location of No. 8, Lulun Road, which occupies over a million feet, where the present hall is situated.

Garden designs are the basis of the hall, and in the hall there are buildings such as the Hall of the Supreme Venerable Sovereign, the Manjusri Hall, the Planchette Writing Altar, the Dipper Pavilion, the Memorial Hall, and the Missing Parents Pavilion. Solemn and peaceful, the hall can be regarded as a place for peaceful cultivation. Since 1990, in order to coordinate with the development of Daoist affairs, the hall has bought the whole space of neighbouring No. 7, enlarged the Main Hall of the Three Pristine Ones ( 三清 Sanqing ), the Great Manjusri Hall, the Dipper Pavilion, the Planchette Writing Altar, etc. In addition, the Guanyin Hall, the Big Building at the Solemn Main Entrance, and so on have recently been built. The spirits worshiped in the halls vary, yet are all solemn and respectful. Later, the Closest Relative Pavilion, the Best Love Pavilion and the Respecting Parents Pavilion were also built for the devotees to place the ashes of their late parents, and to express their filial piety. Then the equipments of the Daoist hall have become more and more perfected.

Activities

A branch of Shang Sin Chun Tong registered in Canada has been ratified as a tax-free and non-profit religious organization.
Three issues of Affinity with Dao ( 道綠 Daoyuan ), the journal of the Daoist hall, are published every year and given free by the publisher.
The Book of Supreme Peace ( 太上清靜經 Taishang Qingjing Jing ), The Tablet of Supreme Correspondence ( 太上感應篇 Taishang Ganying Pian ) and the Vernacular Explanation to the Book of Dao and its Virtue ( 道徳經白話解說 Daodejing Baihua Jieshuo ) are given free by the publisher.
A two-year "Daoist Learning Course" has been started. The course content includes the history of Daoism, knowledge about planchette writing, the Two Images ( 兩儀 Liangyi ) and Eight Diagrams ( 八卦 Bagua ), the Five Agents ( 五行 Wuxing ) and Five Images ( 五儀 Wuyi ), practice, etc.

Contact

Address: 7-8 Rutland Quadrant , Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong

Telephone: (852) 23361578, 23369715

Fax: (852) 23045969