Lighting the lamps is the beginning ceremony of daily ritual, Tao blessing ceremony, and all Saints and deities commemorations. Light expresses brightness, symbolizes purity, also represents the truthfulness of the human nature.
The Eternal Lamp: symbolizes the creator of the universe, is called Wu-Ji lamp, source lamp, or the Mother lamp . The creator of the universe has no physically shape which can’t be describe in words. The light, similar to the creator can’t be described in word, also symbolizes the purity and nature of all lives and soul.
The Eternal Lamp at the center of the Upper Altar Table represents the Light of God as the origin of all manifestation and essence of truth. When we receive the Tao, the holy Master will use the incense stick and draw the light from the Eternal Lamp and point it toward us. This symbolizes that the Light of God has lit our internal spiritual lamp.
The Dual Lamps:The Dual Lamps with one on each side of the Lower Altar Table represent the Yin and Yang. The Yang, on the right is also called the Sun Lamp, represents the sun, morning, brightness, positive, etc. The Yin, on the left is also called the Moon Lamp, represents the moon, evening, darkness, negative, etc. The duality means that the two separate parts of the same unity and one cannot exist without the other. This meaning is shown in the diagram of Tai Chi where it portrays the harmonious relationship of the Yin and Yang.
The procedure of lighting the Lamp is to first light from the Eternal Lamp or the center lamp on the upper table. Then, on the lower table, light the Sun Lamp, and finally the Moon lamp. The procedures represent the creation of universe from nothingness (Eternal Lamp) to all things being created in the physical world (Yin and Yang).
Upon completion of the ritual, one would put away the Moon Lamp, Sun Lamp, and finally the Eternal Lamp. The ending procedures represent all the materials things will be deteriorated from the physical world (Yin and Yang), and eventually, all things will return to the origin (Eternal Lamp).
Hence, the meaning of lighting of lamp is to comprehend Tao give birth to one. Oneness produces many things in this physical worlds, and all things will eventually return to its origin, Tao.
The Eternal Lamp: symbolizes the creator of the universe, is called Wu-Ji lamp, source lamp, or the Mother lamp . The creator of the universe has no physically shape which can’t be describe in words. The light, similar to the creator can’t be described in word, also symbolizes the purity and nature of all lives and soul.
The Eternal Lamp at the center of the Upper Altar Table represents the Light of God as the origin of all manifestation and essence of truth. When we receive the Tao, the holy Master will use the incense stick and draw the light from the Eternal Lamp and point it toward us. This symbolizes that the Light of God has lit our internal spiritual lamp.
The Dual Lamps:The Dual Lamps with one on each side of the Lower Altar Table represent the Yin and Yang. The Yang, on the right is also called the Sun Lamp, represents the sun, morning, brightness, positive, etc. The Yin, on the left is also called the Moon Lamp, represents the moon, evening, darkness, negative, etc. The duality means that the two separate parts of the same unity and one cannot exist without the other. This meaning is shown in the diagram of Tai Chi where it portrays the harmonious relationship of the Yin and Yang.
The procedure of lighting the Lamp is to first light from the Eternal Lamp or the center lamp on the upper table. Then, on the lower table, light the Sun Lamp, and finally the Moon lamp. The procedures represent the creation of universe from nothingness (Eternal Lamp) to all things being created in the physical world (Yin and Yang).
Upon completion of the ritual, one would put away the Moon Lamp, Sun Lamp, and finally the Eternal Lamp. The ending procedures represent all the materials things will be deteriorated from the physical world (Yin and Yang), and eventually, all things will return to the origin (Eternal Lamp).
Hence, the meaning of lighting of lamp is to comprehend Tao give birth to one. Oneness produces many things in this physical worlds, and all things will eventually return to its origin, Tao.
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By Joanna Lin
06/21/2017 |
