Guan Gong (Lord Guan 关公 ) is a reverent term of address for Guan Yu (160 - 219).
"Gong" means lord, a title, while "Guan" is his surname. Therefore Guan Gong 关公 means "Lord Guan". His actual name was Guan Yu 关羽.
There is no doubt that there are many texts related to Lord Guan but he is no mythological figure, but an actual person from history. He lived in the civil strife period of the Three Kingdoms in old China. He died in battle but was noted for his loyalty and honesty.
He was born in the heavenly realms as heavenly beings (devas) - what Chinese refer to as heavenly officials of God The Jade Emperor 玉皇上帝 who is the ruler of the three realms of Heaven, Earth and Hell.
Thus Lord Guan is a historical general in China with name Guan Yu. In China, Guan Yu 关羽 is revered by most practicing Buddhists as Sangharama Bodhisattva 伽蓝菩萨 - a heavenly protector of the Buddhist Doctrine.
Sangharama comes from two words. "Sangha" is "community of monks" and "rama" means "garden" and Sangharama refers to "monastery".
Traditionally, the term Sangharama can also refer to the heavenly beings (devas) that guard the Buddhist monastery, the Doctrine and the Buddhist faith itself.
Over time, Guan Yu 关羽 was revered as the guardian of the temple and the garden in which it stands. His statue traditionally is situated in the far left of the main altar, opposite his counterpart Skanda Weito
According to Buddhist texts, in 592, Guan Yu 关羽 manifested himself one night before the Zen master Zhiyi, the founder of the Tiantai school of Buddhism, along with a host of heavenly beings.
Zhiyi was then in deep meditation on Yuquan Hill (玉泉山) when Guan Yu's presence captured his attention. Guan Yu 关羽 then requested the master to teach him more on the doctrine.
After receiving Buddhist teachings from the master, Guan Yu 关羽 took refuge in the Triple Gems - Buddha, Dharma (Doctrine) and Sangha (holy order).
He observed precepts such as non-killing and no harm to others. He elevated himself in purity and spirituality well beyond just a well revered heavenly being - beyond just a heavenly official of God The Jade Emperor 玉皇上帝.
From then on, it is said that Guan Yu 关羽 made it his duty to become a guardian of temples and the Doctrine. He undertakes to help the Buddhas and saints to protect those who cultivate the Way - living in doctrine.
It is written in the texts that Guan Yu 关羽 assisted Zhiyi in the building of the Yuquan Temple (玉泉寺). He continues to be the guardian of temples and doctrine.
As the same basic doctrine is in all religions, we would expect that he is protector of those who live in doctrine regardless of religion or sect. Truth or doctrine is not the purview of any group or religion.
In a dream to the writer in the early hours of 29th Nov 2014, he informed that he will also play his part in the Living Life Series.
He is the emblem of fellowship which is the pillar of modern churches. Fellowship is the brotherhood of people with the same cause or mission. They remain together through thick and thin. The cause may be to save souls. Saving souls can encompass the waiting for the day of reckoning or the second coming.
In the case of the mission of Lord Bo Tien (武天菩萨), saving souls is the mission and will be realized more and more if members of the religion see the oneness of all religions in having the same inner truth - the need for inner peace and are then able to have that inner peace through their respective religions.
The police force in Hong Kong has an altar of Lord Guan 关公 in every police station to enhance the brotherhood of members of the police force. Ironically triad societies too have similar practices.
The fellowship culture of churches for the different interests groups such as the young adult or the children church mirror the Guan Gong 关公 spirit. They attribute this to the Holy Spirit.
Mind you the likes of Guan Gong 关公 may be behind such groups. If Chinese culture has its way, there will be a Guan Gong 关公 in every church. Guan Gong 关公 is not there to replace God or a sage but to help and protect.
He is the personification or the emblem of fellowship. It is not far fetched to expect Guan Gong in every individual in a church or religious fraternity or group.
One day, it is not unthinkable to have pictures or statues of Guan Gong 关公 in more houses of God and saints. Let there be this day.
The portraits of Guan Gong 关公 have also not just graced the entrances of houses of God and saints but also adorn some hospital entrances. Well this is due to penetration of Chinese culture.
The underlying reason is more than obvious. Lord Guan or Guan Gong 关公 will always signify the ever so strong brotherhood and fellowship required of care professionals such as doctors.
"Gong" means lord, a title, while "Guan" is his surname. Therefore Guan Gong 关公 means "Lord Guan". His actual name was Guan Yu 关羽.
There is no doubt that there are many texts related to Lord Guan but he is no mythological figure, but an actual person from history. He lived in the civil strife period of the Three Kingdoms in old China. He died in battle but was noted for his loyalty and honesty.
He was born in the heavenly realms as heavenly beings (devas) - what Chinese refer to as heavenly officials of God The Jade Emperor 玉皇上帝 who is the ruler of the three realms of Heaven, Earth and Hell.
Thus Lord Guan is a historical general in China with name Guan Yu. In China, Guan Yu 关羽 is revered by most practicing Buddhists as Sangharama Bodhisattva 伽蓝菩萨 - a heavenly protector of the Buddhist Doctrine.
Sangharama comes from two words. "Sangha" is "community of monks" and "rama" means "garden" and Sangharama refers to "monastery".
Traditionally, the term Sangharama can also refer to the heavenly beings (devas) that guard the Buddhist monastery, the Doctrine and the Buddhist faith itself.
Over time, Guan Yu 关羽 was revered as the guardian of the temple and the garden in which it stands. His statue traditionally is situated in the far left of the main altar, opposite his counterpart Skanda Weito
According to Buddhist texts, in 592, Guan Yu 关羽 manifested himself one night before the Zen master Zhiyi, the founder of the Tiantai school of Buddhism, along with a host of heavenly beings.
Zhiyi was then in deep meditation on Yuquan Hill (玉泉山) when Guan Yu's presence captured his attention. Guan Yu 关羽 then requested the master to teach him more on the doctrine.
After receiving Buddhist teachings from the master, Guan Yu 关羽 took refuge in the Triple Gems - Buddha, Dharma (Doctrine) and Sangha (holy order).
He observed precepts such as non-killing and no harm to others. He elevated himself in purity and spirituality well beyond just a well revered heavenly being - beyond just a heavenly official of God The Jade Emperor 玉皇上帝.
From then on, it is said that Guan Yu 关羽 made it his duty to become a guardian of temples and the Doctrine. He undertakes to help the Buddhas and saints to protect those who cultivate the Way - living in doctrine.
It is written in the texts that Guan Yu 关羽 assisted Zhiyi in the building of the Yuquan Temple (玉泉寺). He continues to be the guardian of temples and doctrine.
As the same basic doctrine is in all religions, we would expect that he is protector of those who live in doctrine regardless of religion or sect. Truth or doctrine is not the purview of any group or religion.
In a dream to the writer in the early hours of 29th Nov 2014, he informed that he will also play his part in the Living Life Series.
He is the emblem of fellowship which is the pillar of modern churches. Fellowship is the brotherhood of people with the same cause or mission. They remain together through thick and thin. The cause may be to save souls. Saving souls can encompass the waiting for the day of reckoning or the second coming.
In the case of the mission of Lord Bo Tien (武天菩萨), saving souls is the mission and will be realized more and more if members of the religion see the oneness of all religions in having the same inner truth - the need for inner peace and are then able to have that inner peace through their respective religions.
The police force in Hong Kong has an altar of Lord Guan 关公 in every police station to enhance the brotherhood of members of the police force. Ironically triad societies too have similar practices.
The fellowship culture of churches for the different interests groups such as the young adult or the children church mirror the Guan Gong 关公 spirit. They attribute this to the Holy Spirit.
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| Guan Yu 关羽 |
He is the personification or the emblem of fellowship. It is not far fetched to expect Guan Gong in every individual in a church or religious fraternity or group.
One day, it is not unthinkable to have pictures or statues of Guan Gong 关公 in more houses of God and saints. Let there be this day.
The portraits of Guan Gong 关公 have also not just graced the entrances of houses of God and saints but also adorn some hospital entrances. Well this is due to penetration of Chinese culture.
The underlying reason is more than obvious. Lord Guan or Guan Gong 关公 will always signify the ever so strong brotherhood and fellowship required of care professionals such as doctors.
 |
| Lord Guan (Guan Gong: 关公) in his pose of absorption, wisdom and peace. |
