However, I do not want to disappoint the readers without explaining the meaning and the significance of the festival and about their impact on 1Malaysia slogan, which is often laud by Malaysian Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak. In Malaysia, the locals call it as Tanglung Festival. It has been part of Malaysian people and a part of Malaysia tourism. For non-Malaysia, it is a must thing for them to see it and for Malaysians, do not waste the opportunity that gifted by the melting pot of all cultures in Malaysia. Tanglung is tradition that has been on practice since 250 B.C. As I read from a newspaper article Tanglung is a cultural element in Chinese society since 250 B.C. In the Chinese society, tanglung is not only for decoration, it also used for functions to welcome the guest, throw feast about a birth, announcement of death or danger warning. The colour and the place of where the tanglung placed brings a significant meaning For example, someone who want to celebrate their child’s birth or marriage they would hang red lantern in front of their home. It is a symbol of happiness.
Usually the lantern made from paper and the structure would be from Bamboo plant. In Malaysia, the Tanglung Festival celebrated on the first month of Chinese New Year 15th day that falls on full moon. It is been a traditional to hang a lantern during full moon night. Sometimes, they write rhymes or poems on the lantern and try to sing it. As I heard from my friends about the myth and stories behind the moon cake festival are many.
One is
The time was the Yuan dynasty (AD 1280-1368), established by the invading Mongolians from the north. The Mongolians subjugated the Han Chinese.
According to one Chinese folk tale, a Han Chinese rebel leader named Liu Fu Tong devised a scheme to arouse the Han Chinese to rise up against the ruling Mongols to end the oppressive Yuan dynasty. He sought permission from Mongolian leaders to give gifts to friends as a symbolic gesture to honor the longevity of the Mongolian emperor.
These gifts were round mooncakes. Inside, Liu had his followers place pieces of paper with the date the Han Chinese were to strike out in rebellion -- on the fifteenth night of the eighth month.
Thus Liu got word to his people, who when they cut open the mooncakes found the revolutionary message and set out to overthrow the Mongols, thus ending the Yuan dynasty.
The Moon Cake or Mid-Autumn Festival also commemorates the patriot Shu Yuan Zhang, who plotted to overthrow the tyrannical rule of the Yuan dynasty in the 14th century, and is said to have passed his plans to his fellow rebels hidden in mooncakes
Another is the festival is intricately linked to the legends of Chang E, the mythical Moon Goddess of Immortality. According to “Li-Ji”, an ancient Chinese book recording customs and ceremonies, the Chinese Emperor should offer sacrifices to the sun in spring and the moon in autumn. The 15th day of the 8th lunar month is the day called “Mid-Autumn”. The night on the 15th of the 8th lunar month is also called “Night of the Moon”. Under the Song Dynasty (420), the day was officially declared for Mid-Autumn Festival.
One legend tells us that it was a time to worship Taiyi, the God of Heaven in ancient times. The belief was that the God of Heaven controlled the destiny of the human world. He had sixteen dragons at his beck and call and he decided when to inflict drought, storms, famine or pestilence upon human beings. Beginning with Qinshihuang, the first emperor to unite the country, all the emperors ordered splendid ceremonies each year. The emperor would ask Taiyi to bring favorable weather and good health to him and his people. Emperor Wudi of the Han Dynasty directed special attention to this event. In 104 BC, he proclaimed it as one of the most important celebrations and the ceremony would last throughout the night. They clean it all up in the morning.
Another legend associates the Lantern Festival with Taoism. Tianguan is the Taoist god responsible for good fortune. His birthday falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month. It is said that Tianguan likes all types of entertainment, so followers prepare various kinds of activities during which they pray for good fortune.
Yet another common legend dealing with the origins of the Lantern Festival speaks of a beautiful bird that flew down to earth from heaven, which was hunted and killed by some villagers. This angered the Jade Emperor in Heaven because the bird was his favorite one. Therefore, he planned a storm of fire to destroy the village on the 15th lunar day. The Jade Emperor's daughter heard of this plan, and warned the villagers of her father’s plan to destroy their village. The village was in turmoil because nobody knew how should they escape their imminent destruction. However, a wise man from another village suggested that every family should hang red lanterns around their houses, set up bonfires on the streets, and explode firecrackers on the 14th, 15th, and 16th lunar days. This would give the village the appearance of being on fire to the Jade Emperor. On the 15th lunar day, troops sent down from heaven whose mission was to destroy the village saw that the village was already ablaze, and returned to heaven to report to the Jade Emperor. Satisfied, the Jade Emperor decided not to burn down the village. From that day on, people celebrate the anniversary on the 15th lunar day every year by carrying red lanterns on the streets and exploding firecrackers and fireworks.
There are many stories on how this festival was created. One other story is about a maid. In the Han Solo, Mr. Eastern was a favorite advisor of the emperor. One winter day, he went to the garden and heard a little girl crying and getting ready to jump into a well to commit suicide. Mr. Eastern stopped her and asked why. She said she was a maid in the emperor's palace and her name was Yuan-Xiao. She never had the chance to meet her family after she started worked at the palace. She missed them so much every 12th lunar month. If she couldn't have the chance to show her filial piety in this life, she would rather die. Mr. Eastern promised her to find a way so she could reunion with her family. Mr. Eastern left the palace and set up a fortune-telling stall on the street and disguised himself as a fortuneteller. Because of his reputation, many people asked for their fortunes. But every one got the same prediction - a severe fire accident on the 15th lunar day. The rumor spread quickly. Everyone was worried about the future and asked Mr. Eastern for help. Mr. Eastern said, "On the 13th lunar day, the God of Fire will send a fairy lady in red to burn down the city. If you see a lady in red wearing green pants riding a black horse on that day, you should ask for her mercy." On that day, Yuan-Xiao pretended to be the red fairy lady. When people asked for her help, she said, "I'm the messenger of the God of Fire and came to check on the city and I'm going to set up fire on 15th. This is an order from Jade Emperor. He will watch from the heavens. I will give you a copy of the imperial decree from the God of Fire. You should go to ask your emperor to find a way out." After she left, people went to the palace to show the emperor the decree which reads "The capital city is in trouble. Fire burns on the palace, and fire from Heaven burns all night long on the 15th." The emperor of Han Dynasty was very shocked. He called and asked Mr. Eastern for advice. After pondering for a while, Mr. Eastern said, "I heard that the God of Fire likes to eat Tang-Yuan (Sweet dumpling). Does Yuan-Xiao often cook Tang-Yuan for you? On the 15th lunar day, let Yuan-Xiao make Tang-Yuan. Your Majesty will take charge of the worshipping ceremony and you will give an order to every house to prepare Tang-Yuan to worship the God of Fire at the same time. Also, deliver another order to ask every house in the city to hang red lantern and explode fire crackers. Lastly, everyone in the palace and people outside the city should carry their lanterns on the street to watch the lantern decoration and fireworks. If everything goes this way, the Jade Emperor would be deceived. Then everyone can avoid the fire accident." The emperor happily followed the plan. Lanterns were everywhere in the capital city on the night of the 15th lunar day. People were walking on the street. Fire crackers kept making lots of noise. It looked like the entire city was on fire. Yuan-Xiao's parents went into the palace to watch the lantern decorations, and Yuan-Xiao made a big lantern and wrote her name on the lantern. They happily reunited together after her parents called her name. Everybody was safe during the night. The emperor of Han Dynasty had a new order that people should do the same thing every year. Since Yuan-Xiao cooked the best Tan-Yuan, people called the day Yuan-Xiao Festival.
Young people were chaperoned in the streets in hopes of finding love. Matchmakers acted busily in hopes of pairing couples. The brightest lanterns were symbolic of good luck and hope. As time has passed, the festival no longer has such implications.
Those who do not carry lanterns often enjoy watching informal lantern parades. In addition to eating tangyuan (simplified Chinese: 汤圆; traditional Chinese: 湯圓; pinyin: tāngyuán), another popular activity at this festival is guessing lantern riddles (which became part of the festival during the Tang Dynasty), which often contain messages of good fortune, family reunion, abundant harvest, prosperity and love.
Itz TangLung Festival
It was Friday night and an orange beautiful full moon was hanging on the dark sky, shining with the sunglows. Sometimes hidden by the naughty clouds and the wind chase the clouds away from the moon so that the earthlings can get a sight on the God‘s beautiful creation. My eye closes its lid after a pleasant sight on them. The next day, after a n usual Saturday morning, I went to Mr.Loo‘s Biology class and from there I came to know that that Saturday was Moon Cake Festival. Oh my God, I was expecting the day for me to play with Tanglung, which is means lantern in Chinese. How could I forget such a day? I realised another thing that my school usually will have the festival celebrated in school level I was wondering why I did not came to know about it as I know my friends were assigned by the my school's Chinese Society teacher to arrange the festival. The next day in tuition with my schoolmates, I came to know that it was cancelled due to some management problem.
Suddenly an idea was struck in me.” Why don’t I celebrate the festival in my class”, I made a plan and inform to all my Chinese classmates to bring a lantern to class tomorrow Monday and I want to do my very own lantern. The idea about doing my own lantern was came in as I read an article in daily Star newspaper about Moon cake and Tanglung Festival and ways to do own creative lantern. However, the problem was I could get the items needed to do the same thing in the article. Therefore, back home I sat down and think about how to make one. Then I remember the word creative and I start search for used bottles and thick paperboard boxes in my house and found some. I took my sister’s watercolour and a highlighter and then began my work. Here some of illustration of procedures of own made lantern.
1. I cut the bottle’s mouth and bottom
2. Then I cut round the boxboard according to the size of the bottle used earlier.
3. Then insert the round board underneath the bottle around 3 inches from the bottom.
4. Take a candle around 3 inches and make it stick on the board.
5. Take a piece of paper of any colour to insert it into the bottle.
6. If you want to write or draw anything on the paper like I wrote my name in Chinese, go ahead
7. Finally, you can see the results by your own eyes.
If you want to add any design or your every own creativeness, you can do so that is all the creative is all about.
Suddenly an idea was struck in me.” Why don’t I celebrate the festival in my class”, I made a plan and inform to all my Chinese classmates to bring a lantern to class tomorrow Monday and I want to do my very own lantern. The idea about doing my own lantern was came in as I read an article in daily Star newspaper about Moon cake and Tanglung Festival and ways to do own creative lantern. However, the problem was I could get the items needed to do the same thing in the article. Therefore, back home I sat down and think about how to make one. Then I remember the word creative and I start search for used bottles and thick paperboard boxes in my house and found some. I took my sister’s watercolour and a highlighter and then began my work. Here some of illustration of procedures of own made lantern.
1. I cut the bottle’s mouth and bottom
2. Then I cut round the boxboard according to the size of the bottle used earlier.
3. Then insert the round board underneath the bottle around 3 inches from the bottom.
4. Take a candle around 3 inches and make it stick on the board.
5. Take a piece of paper of any colour to insert it into the bottle.
6. If you want to write or draw anything on the paper like I wrote my name in Chinese, go ahead
7. Finally, you can see the results by your own eyes.
If you want to add any design or your every own creativeness, you can do so that is all the creative is all about.
CoRrect Your ViEw ON Hinduism
As I come across many people in the Malaysian society whether in school or in other places, I often realise that many people are misconception on Hinduism and stay along with it and the most serious is in Malta the government announced it as a Cult, I could not blame them for not knowing it but I am disappointed with the Hindus for failing to make the others understand the Shanathana Dharma (The Code of Life) which is meant Hinduism and even some using it for their own selfish reason.
Hinduism is the name given to the religion that originated in India. The word Hindu came about as a mispronunciation of the name of an ancient river in India called ‘Sindhu’. Hinduism is often misunderstood to be a polytheist religion. (I.e. believing in many almighty Gods and Goddesses). This is not true. Hinduism is in fact a ‘pluralistic’ religion that suggests that God (or Spirit) can be perceived and approached in a variety of ways. This teaching is central to Hinduism. It emphasises that as we are all different, the way we will think of and approach the ultimate reality (God or spirit) will necessarily be different.
Concept of God: (Pluralism – many pathways and hence many religions but still pointing to the same God)
Hinduism being a pluralistic religion offers a vast variety of concepts of God.
Broadly these can be divided into two categories. (Take note: Hinduism does not say that any one approach is better than another is. The choice depends on the individual or any religious group).
God as a personality (sometimes with form and sometimes without form)
Hinduism suggests that as we are human one of the ways we can relate to the idea of God is to think of Him or Her as having a personality. Just like any personality He must have a character. For God, all religions, including Hinduism, like to give him qualities of truth, goodness, compassion, power, knowledge. The two main movements within Hinduism for those who like to think of God in this fashion are called the Arya Samaj and the Brahamo Samaj. One of the offshoots of Hinduism, Sikhism also likes to think of God as a personality but without giving Him any form. But many Hindus do not stop at thinking that God can be thought of as a personality. They are quite happy to think of Him with form. The form chosen is not the form of God but the form the devotee likes to use to think of God. This is a major difference with the Abrahamic faiths that do not like to give form to God. Note: when Hindus worship images of God (do not make the mistake of calling them idols as that is considered to be a demeaning word) the images are called Murtis. They are not worshipping stone or marble that the images are made from. They are worshipping the being that is represented by those images.
Concept of God as a principle that underpins everything (Brahman/Atman):
This approach to God is unusual. It says that the inner being we call our ’self’ is a manifestation of God. The same God is shining in the eyes of every living thing. Like lots of little puddles reflecting the same infinite sky. The essential nature of all living things is really God. When we help anyone we are helping God (or ourselves only). Hence reverence for all living things springs naturally from Hinduism. The definition of God as being our true self is called ‘Atman’. The self becomes manifested as ‘consciousness’. Consciousness defies all classifications. Hence this concept of God is called God beyond the form and the formless. One of the greetings used by Hindus is ‘Namaste’. This gesture literally means ‘reverence to God as your true self’.
Major misconceptions about Hinduism
(1) Hinduism is not a polytheist religion. It is a pluralistic religion suggesting many pathways to the same God. This allows many religions to co-exist with dignity and without having to score points over each other.
(2) Hindus do not worship ‘objects or idols’. The images are tools used to focus on an infinite God. Every religion does it but some do it knowingly while others do it unknowingly.
(3) Hindus do not worship the cow. They revere it as the best candidate in the animal kingdom to receive the thanks of mankind.
Thank You For Hearing Me
Hinduism is the name given to the religion that originated in India. The word Hindu came about as a mispronunciation of the name of an ancient river in India called ‘Sindhu’. Hinduism is often misunderstood to be a polytheist religion. (I.e. believing in many almighty Gods and Goddesses). This is not true. Hinduism is in fact a ‘pluralistic’ religion that suggests that God (or Spirit) can be perceived and approached in a variety of ways. This teaching is central to Hinduism. It emphasises that as we are all different, the way we will think of and approach the ultimate reality (God or spirit) will necessarily be different.
Concept of God: (Pluralism – many pathways and hence many religions but still pointing to the same God)
Hinduism being a pluralistic religion offers a vast variety of concepts of God.
Broadly these can be divided into two categories. (Take note: Hinduism does not say that any one approach is better than another is. The choice depends on the individual or any religious group).
God as a personality (sometimes with form and sometimes without form)
Hinduism suggests that as we are human one of the ways we can relate to the idea of God is to think of Him or Her as having a personality. Just like any personality He must have a character. For God, all religions, including Hinduism, like to give him qualities of truth, goodness, compassion, power, knowledge. The two main movements within Hinduism for those who like to think of God in this fashion are called the Arya Samaj and the Brahamo Samaj. One of the offshoots of Hinduism, Sikhism also likes to think of God as a personality but without giving Him any form. But many Hindus do not stop at thinking that God can be thought of as a personality. They are quite happy to think of Him with form. The form chosen is not the form of God but the form the devotee likes to use to think of God. This is a major difference with the Abrahamic faiths that do not like to give form to God. Note: when Hindus worship images of God (do not make the mistake of calling them idols as that is considered to be a demeaning word) the images are called Murtis. They are not worshipping stone or marble that the images are made from. They are worshipping the being that is represented by those images.
Concept of God as a principle that underpins everything (Brahman/Atman):
This approach to God is unusual. It says that the inner being we call our ’self’ is a manifestation of God. The same God is shining in the eyes of every living thing. Like lots of little puddles reflecting the same infinite sky. The essential nature of all living things is really God. When we help anyone we are helping God (or ourselves only). Hence reverence for all living things springs naturally from Hinduism. The definition of God as being our true self is called ‘Atman’. The self becomes manifested as ‘consciousness’. Consciousness defies all classifications. Hence this concept of God is called God beyond the form and the formless. One of the greetings used by Hindus is ‘Namaste’. This gesture literally means ‘reverence to God as your true self’.
Major misconceptions about Hinduism
(1) Hinduism is not a polytheist religion. It is a pluralistic religion suggesting many pathways to the same God. This allows many religions to co-exist with dignity and without having to score points over each other.
(2) Hindus do not worship ‘objects or idols’. The images are tools used to focus on an infinite God. Every religion does it but some do it knowingly while others do it unknowingly.
(3) Hindus do not worship the cow. They revere it as the best candidate in the animal kingdom to receive the thanks of mankind.
Thank You For Hearing Me
I had a boil =( I cured it =)
Once I had a boil in my armpit, I thought it will disappear later after few months but I was wrong, it did not cure. Hearing my mother's advice, I went to government health clinic after school companied by my friend in my place for a treatment because the boil has been bleeding. After getting the number, I waited for the calling .After a few minutes of waiting and I later got called to the treatment room. As it is known that in Malaysia we are lacking doctors working in the government sector, so I was attended by an assistant medical officer. Remembering the term ‘‘assistant medical officer “, I will think that they are inexperience and not qualified to do the job of medical officer (doctor). As I thought the man examine the boil I show just by seeing it and did his prescription. I was like “that is it, nothing more?” because mother told me that the person will prick the boil to make the boil to bleed out the pus and put some cream. But he gave me a prescription of pills. So I asked the man about cream or anything will be given and he said there will be a cream will be given.
With a slightly relieved feeling I went to the pharmacy and realised the sun is only until the evening, I received a packet of 30 antibiotic pills, a small box of painkiller, and a cream box. I also received warning from the pharmacist about the painkiller that the pills should be taken in case the boil inflicts pain. I was looking the pills like my eyes going to come off and my friend was laughing because it was unnatural to receive that much medicine for just a boil. Due to suspicious, I asked the pharmacist whether the medicine she gave were meant for boil and she said they are for it. As I studied in Biology, I know the antibiotic can kill all bacteria regardless good or bad in our body and the pills should be limited to a lower number. I was more scared because I have to finish all the 30 pills and another fear about the H1N1 flu pandemic is around and the pills could lower my immune system. The day itself I surf the net to find for the antibiotic side effect and found nothing harmful. But what to do, I had to take them to get cured. Even my mother was shocked to see that much pills.
The first day I took the pills except the painkiller and second day also I did the same but the third day I got fever. I was some more feared I might infected by H1N1 virus. The whole day I was covering myself with blanket because of cold. My mother felt scared also and the night my father and I went to my father trusted doctor, Bob Samuel. He examined me and injected me with something. He said that nothing to worry because it just a normal fever. He also gave me antibiotic but only 9 pills. At first I hesitate to take the antibiotic due to my so called cause of fever but he said it is alright to take them. Later after the first day of taking the medicine, I recovered but the boil does not disappear.
I was still pressing it to make to make less swollen but later I searched in the internet for a natural medicine for boil and get know about the boil:
a) Staphylococcus germs: Boils are caused mainly by staphylococcus germs. These enter sweat glands or hair follicles. The essential cause of boils is thus bacterial. However, there are several factors which predispose the growth of bacteria in hair follicles.
b) Toxic condition in blood stream: The chief factor is a toxic condition in the blood stream. This arises due to a faulty diet and a frenetic pace of living. Boils generally appear when a person is in a run-down devitalized condition.
Later I get some ways to cure it,
• Boils treatment using Garlic and Onion: Garlic and Onions have been proved to be among the most effective home remedy for boils treatment among several other remedies. Onion juice or garlic juice may be applied on boils externally to ripen them, break and evacuate the pus. Juices of both these vegetables can be mixed in equal quantities and applied on the boil for beneficial results.
• Boils treatment using Bitter Gourd: Bitter Gourd is also an effective home remedy for blood filled boils. To treat boils, a cupful of fresh bitter gourd juice can be mixed with 1 teaspoon of lime juice, sipped on slowly on an empty stomach everyday for a few days.
• Boils treatment using Milk Cream: Milk cream remedy is useful in the treatment of boils. An excellent poultice for boils cure is, to apply a mixture of a teaspoon each of milk cream and vinegar with a pinch of turmeric powder. This helps to ripen the blood boils and heal them without letting them become septic.
• Boils treatment using Betel Leaves: Betel Leaves treatment for boils is a valuable home remedy. A betel leaf is gently warmed till it softens. Coat it with a layer of castor oil. Spread the oiled leaf over the inflamed part. Replace this every few hours. After applying a few times, boil ruptures and drains out all the purulent matter.
• Boils treatment using Cumin Seeds: Cumin seeds are beneficial in the treatment of boils. Cumin seeds are ground to a paste in water. This cumin seed paste is applied to boils for beneficial results.
• Boils treatment using Margosa Leaves: Margosa leaves have proven effective in treating boils. They can be either used as a poultice, liniment or decoction with positive results. To make the decoction, boil 15 gm of margosa leaves in 500 ml water till it is reduced by one-third.
• Boils treatment using Parsley: For boils treatment, steep parsley in boiled water till it becomes soft and juicy. When it is comfortably hot, wrap it in a clean muslin or linen cloth and apply it on the boils as a poultice.
• Boils treatment using Turmeric: Applying turmeric powder on boils speeds healing process. In case of fresh boils, roast a few dry roots of turmeric, dissolve the ashes in a cupful of water and then apply over the affected areas. This solution aids boils to ripen and burst.
some suggestion for Diet for Patients with Skin Boils
• Fast on orange juice with water: Cleanse your system thoroughly for treatment of boils. Begin the fast with orange juice diluted in water on a 50:50 basis for three to four days, or go exclusively on fresh juicy fruits from five to seven days.
• Well-balanced diet: After the short juice fast or the all-fruit diet, as the case may be, a good nutritious diet should be consumed. This can help the immune system fight the infection. Maintain an overall healthy diet. This includes using fresh and unprocessed foods as close to the natural state as possible. Eat whole grains, leafy green vegetables, fruit, proteins, with a minimum of animal fat as per the daily servings. Restrict intake of sugary and refined carbohydrates (such as white bread and white rice) to a minimum.
• Avoid tea/coffee, cakes, pastries, condiments and sauces :Avoid tea, coffee, sugary starchy foods, especially chocolates, pastries, sweets, cakes, white sugar and white bread. Avoid all condiments, sauces and pickles.
But the traditional remedy that really worked for is the hot bath massage at boil. I applied a warm moist compresses or cloth my boil three to four times a day over tender areas. That indeed helps to bring the boil to a head and promotes easy drainage. My boil was just disappeared in 3 days. There are also other ways for it:
• Hot Epsom salts bath: A hot Epsom salt bath greatly benefits in boil treatment and should be used twice or thrice a week until boils persist and once in a week thereafter.
• Dry massage followed by cold sponge: daily dry massage every morning followed by a cold water sponge is another helpful measure in the treatment of boils.
• Breathing and outdoor exercises: Fresh air, outdoor exercises and breathing exercises are essential for toning up the system. Avoid constipation If constipation occurs habitually; take all measures to overcome it.
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