Taoist Memorials and Official Documents
(1) Kun Yi (Sincere Intent)
1 Kun Yi
Kun Yi, also known as Yi Wen (Intent Text) or Fu Shu (Blessing Memorial), is commonly called "Hand Memorial" because it is placed in the Taoist priest's hands for recitation; the ritual segment of reciting the Intent Text is called "Entering the Intent," a complete recitation is called "Full Intent," and a brief recitation of key points is called "Half Intent."Kun Yi is written in black ink on red paper, and its main feature is the two large characters "Kun Yi" written at the beginning. The content explains the location, time, and reason for holding the Jiao ritual, as well as the names of the devout altar leaders, and prays for smooth progress in all matters; it expresses the sincere wish of the high priest, who, holding his office, presents the memorial according to ritual standards, relying on the Merit Officer to transmit the message, entrusting the generals and officials to protect the altar, praying for the complete merit of the Jiao ritual, and not obscuring the divine blessings. In the rituals of the Dao-Fa Dual Gate altar, the high priest generally recites the Kun Yi himself in plain text; however, in the Su Chao (Dawn Audience) ritual, a senior Taoist priest specifically stands on a high chair facing the Three Pure Ones (near the Jade Emperor's position), and following the tune of the Incense Burning, loudly chants the Intent Text, expressing "all sincere feelings are fully recorded in the heart's words" and the devotion of the forthcoming presentation; and prays that "the Supreme Lord descends the ten directions' true vital energy and flourishing qi, flowing down into the bodies of us ministers, refining the three palaces, cleansing the six viscera, soaring to the Golden Palace, and reaching the heavens above. May the sincerity of what we ministers present and report swiftly reach" the Heavenly Court's Tai Huang Wan Fu Zhen Jun.
2 Advance Notice Memorial
The Advance Notice Memorial is commonly called the "Tong Jiao Biao" (Memorial for Announcing the Jiao), meaning a memorial text that is presented and reported in advance. The main deity to whom it is presented is Haotian Jinque Yuhuang Shangdi (the Jade Emperor). This is because the Qing Cheng (Completion Celebration) Jiao is a major event for the temple and the locality. For the sake of solemnity and devotion, according to custom, an "Advance Notice Memorial" must be respectfully presented several months beforehand, stating the host temple, location, time, and reason for the Jiao celebration, and then reporting one by one the names of the important altar leaders participating; this is used to respectfully invite the deities to descend and oversee the event at the appointed time, praying for smooth progress and the successful completion of the Jiao ceremony. In the Dao-Fa Dual Gate tradition, the advance notice memorial for the Jiao can be simplified to only the Fa Biao (Memorial Presentation) ritual, or it can be arranged as a full day's ritual program, the latter including Fa Biao, Inviting the Deities, Three Sutras and Three Repentances, Universal Almsgiving, Nao Ting (Noisy Hall), Zhu Deng Yan Shou (Lamp Blessing for Longevity), and other ritual procedures, commonly called "Fa Biao San Xian" (Memorial Presentation with Three Offerings). This Advance Notice Memorial is written in black ink on yellow paper, with the date marked in red ink. Its format and structural features are: the four characters "Yu Gao Shang Cang" (Advance Notice to Heaven) are written at the beginning, below which is written the temple's name, then it opens with the seven-character couplet "Fu Yi Dao Zhu Neng Tong San Sheng Jie, Xin Cheng Yi Tou Jiu Chong Tian" (Humbly, prayers can reach the three holy realms; with sincere hearts, one may penetrate the nine-layered heavens), followed by the text "Gong Wang Sheng Ci Dong Chui Zhao Ge, Jin Shu Yi Wen" (Respectfully hoping the holy compassion will shine down and acknowledge, respectfully presenting this memorial), and after the year, month, and day, it states "Ju Li Wen Shu Jiu Kou Shen Shang" (Respectfully presenting this written memorial with nine kowtows), specifying the holy compassion to whom the memorial is respectfully presented: Haotian Jinque Yuhuang Shangdi, the Three Pure Ones and the Ten Extremely High Perfected Ones, the deities of the Three Realms, the sages of the Ten Directions, the Heavenly Capital, the Earthly Prefecture, the Water Kingdoms, the Mortal World, the Thunder Generals and Officials, the Dao-Fa Incense Fire, and the countless high perfected ones at the Jiao altar gathering. The inner text uses the format of raising the text one character and indenting two characters as a hidden-head format. Additionally, the memorial text bears five seals, all with the inscription "Yu Qing Zhi Bao" (Jade Pure Treasure), with four seals arranged in a diamond shape over the opening four characters "Yu Gao Shang Cang," and one seal stamped below the year and above the month.
3 An Long Shu (Dragon-Settling Memorial)
The An Long Shu (Dragon-Settling Memorial) of the Dao-Fa Dual Gate altar can be used for the Qing Cheng (Completion Celebration), Xie Tu (Thanksgiving to the Earth), and An Long (Dragon-Settling) rituals of temples, ancestral halls, and residences. The main deity to whom it is presented is Tu Fu Jiu Lei Gao Huang Da Di (the Great Emperor of the Nine Layers of the Earth Treasury). In the Qing Cheng Jiao, the "An Long Song Hu Ke" (Dragon-Settling and Tiger-Sending Ritual) is used as the Xie Tu ritual, symbolizing the process of restructuring the sacred order of the site, and is often arranged before the Fa Biao (Memorial Presentation). It is aimed at re-"settling and stabilizing" the damaged dragon veins and the disturbed dragon deities; and sending away the threatening pests, fires, epidemics, house tigers, earthly baleful influences, and filth, in order to pray for the eternal protection of the temple. This Nine-Dragon Memorial is written in black ink on yellow paper. Its format and structural features are: the four characters "Long Tu Xian Rui" (The Dragon Chart Presents Auspiciousness) are written at the beginning, below which is written the temple's name, then it opens with the parallel four-six prose "Fu Yi Dao Chu Xian Tian, Da Dao Hua Sheng Zhu Tian; Huang Ju Hou Tu, Gao Huang Zhu Zhang Wu Tu. Ren Chu San Cai Zhi Nei, Shen Chu Yi Qi Zhi Tang." (Humbly, the Dao originates from the Primordial Heaven; the Great Dao transforms and gives birth to all heavens; the Sovereign resides in the Houtu (Earth); the High Emperor governs the five soils. Humans dwell within the Three Talents; the deities reside in the hall of the Primordial Qi), followed by the names of the ritual officiants, location, hosts, the reason for the Dragon-Settling, and the names of the important altar leaders, and later the text emphasizes the prayerful purpose of "Dao Jian Jiao Qing, An Long Dian Tu, Qi An Zhi Fu" (Establishing the Dao and celebrating the Jiao, settling the dragon and stabilizing the earth, praying for peace and planting blessings); and after the year, month, and day, it states "Xun Mu Wen Shu Bai Bai Shen Shang" (Bathing and fasting, respectfully presenting this written memorial with a hundred prostrations): the memorial is respectfully presented to the Three Pure Ones and the Ten Extremely High Perfected Ones, Tu Fu Jiu Lei Gao Huang Da Di, the Heavenly Capital, the Earthly Prefecture, the Water Kingdoms, the Mortal World, and the countless high perfected ones at the Sutra Altar gathering, whose holy compassion shines down and acknowledges. The inner text uses the format of raising the text one character and indenting two characters as a hidden-head format. Additionally, the memorial text bears five seals, all with the inscription "Yu Qing Zhi Bao" (Jade Pure Treasure), with four seals arranged in a diamond shape over the opening four characters "Long Tu Xian Rui," and one seal stamped below the year and above the month.
4 Yuhuang Shu (Jade Emperor Memorial)
5 The Kitchen God Memorial
The Kitchen God Memorial is used in conjunction with the ritual of properly installing the Kitchen God, venerating the Supervisor of Fasting, the Great Deity of the Nine Heavens. Therefore, the main deity to whom the memorial is addressed is the Great Emperor of the Stove, the Bestower of Blessings and Director of Destiny. The main purpose is that when ceremoniously inviting all the celestial immortals and saints, and summoning the orphaned spirits of the ten directions, all kinds of offerings must be presented, and the foremost requirement for presenting offerings is purity. Therefore, installing the stove requires carefully selecting an auspicious time to respectfully honor the Kitchen God's supervision of vegetarian food. This Kitchen God Memorial is written in black ink on light yellow paper. Its format and structural features are as follows: It begins with the couplet: "伏以祀司命，常添百福，求之即应；安灶君，永纳千祥，感而遂通。" (Prostrate, we offer sacrifice to the Director of Destiny, who constantly adds a hundred blessings, and answers when sought; we install the Kitchen God, who forever receives a thousand auspicious signs, and communicates when moved.) Then follows the name of the person sponsoring the ritual, the location, the reason for presenting the memorial, and the names of the hall master, chief officiant, altar master, chief offering master, chief ritual master, chief altar leader, and deputy chief altar leaders. The memorial text states: "respectfully establishing this memorial to settle the Kitchen God's incense, sincerely presenting incense, tea, wine, bright lamps, fruit offerings, gold and silk treasures, to respectfully honor the Kitchen God of the Five Emperors who communicates with Heaven," praying that "carrying incense and sprinkling purification, sweeping away demonic influences, eliminating unexpected calamities, receiving abundant celebrations, and bestowing a thousand blessings." The text also uses the format of raising the text and omitting two characters at the beginning of lines. After the year, month, and day, it reads "respectfully presenting this memorial with nine prostrations." This memorial bears only one seal, "道经师宝" (Treasure of the Tao, Scriptures, and Masters), stamped below the year and above the month.
The Kitchen God Memorial is used in conjunction with the ritual of properly installing the Kitchen God, venerating the Supervisor of Fasting, the Great Deity of the Nine Heavens. Therefore, the main deity to whom the memorial is addressed is the Great Emperor of the Stove, the Bestower of Blessings and Director of Destiny. The main purpose is that when ceremoniously inviting all the celestial immortals and saints, and summoning the orphaned spirits of the ten directions, all kinds of offerings must be presented, and the foremost requirement for presenting offerings is purity. Therefore, installing the stove requires carefully selecting an auspicious time to respectfully honor the Kitchen God's supervision of vegetarian food. This Kitchen God Memorial is written in black ink on light yellow paper. Its format and structural features are as follows: It begins with the couplet: "伏以祀司命，常添百福，求之即应；安灶君，永纳千祥，感而遂通。" (Prostrate, we offer sacrifice to the Director of Destiny, who constantly adds a hundred blessings, and answers when sought; we install the Kitchen God, who forever receives a thousand auspicious signs, and communicates when moved.) Then follows the name of the person sponsoring the ritual, the location, the reason for presenting the memorial, and the names of the hall master, chief officiant, altar master, chief offering master, chief ritual master, chief altar leader, and deputy chief altar leaders. The memorial text states: "respectfully establishing this memorial to settle the Kitchen God's incense, sincerely presenting incense, tea, wine, bright lamps, fruit offerings, gold and silk treasures, to respectfully honor the Kitchen God of the Five Emperors who communicates with Heaven," praying that "carrying incense and sprinkling purification, sweeping away demonic influences, eliminating unexpected calamities, receiving abundant celebrations, and bestowing a thousand blessings." The text also uses the format of raising the text and omitting two characters at the beginning of lines. After the year, month, and day, it reads "respectfully presenting this memorial with nine prostrations." This memorial bears only one seal, "道经师宝" (Treasure of the Tao, Scriptures, and Masters), stamped below the year and above the month.
(2) Heart Memorials: Four-Dynasty Heart Memorials
"Heart Memorial" means a sincere memorial presented from the heart, used exclusively in the four dynastic rituals at the altar of the two gates of Taoism. A red label with the two characters "心词" (Heart Memorial) is pasted on the front of the document. At the place where the Heavenly Venerable of the dynasty ritual is addressed, four red labels with black characters are sequentially pasted, bearing different "honorific titles of the venerable deities": respectively, the Heavenly Venerable of the Thirty-Two Heavens for the morning ritual, the Heavenly Venerable of Universal Transformation by Thunder for the noon ritual, the True Lord of the Nine Stars of the Big Dipper for the evening ritual, and the True Lord of Ten Thousand Blessings, the Great Emperor of the Heavenly Court, for the overnight ritual. All bear the seal "道经师宝" (Treasure of the Tao, Scriptures, and Masters) stamped on the character "月" (month). The format is close to the "memorial style" of the ancient Taoist scripture examination.
"Heart Memorial" means a sincere memorial presented from the heart, used exclusively in the four dynastic rituals at the altar of the two gates of Taoism. A red label with the two characters "心词" (Heart Memorial) is pasted on the front of the document. At the place where the Heavenly Venerable of the dynasty ritual is addressed, four red labels with black characters are sequentially pasted, bearing different "honorific titles of the venerable deities": respectively, the Heavenly Venerable of the Thirty-Two Heavens for the morning ritual, the Heavenly Venerable of Universal Transformation by Thunder for the noon ritual, the True Lord of the Nine Stars of the Big Dipper for the evening ritual, and the True Lord of Ten Thousand Blessings, the Great Emperor of the Heavenly Court, for the overnight ritual. All bear the seal "道经师宝" (Treasure of the Tao, Scriptures, and Masters) stamped on the character "月" (month). The format is close to the "memorial style" of the ancient Taoist scripture examination.
The "presentation of the memorial" mainly involves four major steps: First is "listening to the proclamation of the heart memorial," where a senior Taoist stands on a high platform (representing the heart's intention reaching Heaven), facing the Three Pure Ones (near the northwest Heavenly Gate position), and respectfully reads the content of the heart memorial in "official pronunciation." He first narrates the main altar's Taoist rank, the reason for establishing the ritual, and the list of altar leaders, then explains the time and content of the ritual, as well as the prayers and wishes being presented. Next is "sealing the memorial envelope": the high merit officiant places the heart memorial in a square envelope, seals it with hand gestures and Taoist talismans (differentiated by yin days and yang days), then virtually writes the Wind (Xun) and Fire (Li) trigrams, and recites the incantation: "By command! The two spirits of Si and Wu, the Wind and Fire Primordial Lords, Xun wind stirs and shakes, Li fire blazes bright, wind and fire, wind and fire, lightning speeds and stars race, urgently as the law commands!" (This follows the materials preserved in Volume 23 of the *Shangqing Lingbao Jidu Dacheng Jinshu*). Then it is purified with talisman water, covered with black cloth, and placed on the memorial tray. After the memorial envelope is sealed and presented, the Taoists chant the latter half of the "Heaven and Earth Divine Incantation," in which the words "The demon kings surrender their hands, guarding my chariot. Fierce filth dissipates, and the Taoist energy endures forever." Here it emphasizes that after the Heavenly Venerable preaches the scriptures, all demons submit and divine merit receives its command, able to clear the way ahead, sweep away filth and dispel miasma, and pay homage to the heavens. The third step is "reading the official document," and summoning the merit officer and talisman envoy with the Five Thunder Command to carry out the task of presenting and delivering the memorial. The dynasty ritual official document is administered by the Lingbao Great Dharma Office, stating: "This office, for the present purpose of cultivating and venerating the ritual offering, prays for grace and protection. Now, in the overnight ritual, practicing the Tao, we present one sealed envelope containing the heart memorial, fully sealed and complete, to be presented at the Great Emperor's Palace of the Heavenly Court. Relying on divine merit, may it swiftly fly and soar, bearing the memorial upward, and on the journey through the clouds, may there be no obstruction, awaiting immediate response. This document is necessary for the merit officer, the envoy of the year, month, day, and hour for presenting the memorial in the overnight ritual." The fourth step is "fumigating the memorial," which involves holding the memorial envelope over incense to pass through it, and loudly reciting the "Fumigation Incantation": "The smoke of five colors rushes the memorial to Heaven. The auspicious vapor of five colors rushes the memorial to the Emperor. The stale energies of lower officials must not recklessly interfere. The appointed generals and officers, quickly transmit it. Burning the memorial, we return to the upper realm, to declare it before the Great Tao." At the same time, one visualizes the five-colored cloud and mist energy entwining the memorial envelope, the five thunders shining brightly, and the leading generals and officers bearing the envelope up to Heaven.
(3) Memorials: Offering Memorials and Thanksgiving Memorials
1 Offering Memorial (called "Altar Arrangement Memorial" by Liu Zhiwan): 108 memorials for the sacred positions of the arranged altar (109 with the Dragon-Settling memorial): namely, 24 for the upper seats, 24 for the left row, 24 for the right row, 9 for the left master altar, 9 for the right sage altar, 9 for the Three Realms altar, 9 for the central altar, and 1 for the Dragon-Settling.
2 Thanksgiving Memorial
(1) Overnight Ritual Thanksgiving Memorial: This covers the content of the 109 sacred positions of the arranged altar for the ritual thanksgiving, and during the overnight ritual, each direction is ceremoniously thanked in turn, with the seal "玉清至宝" (Precious Treasure of the Jade Purity) stamped on the character "月" (month).
(1) Overnight Ritual Thanksgiving Memorial: This covers the content of the 109 sacred positions of the arranged altar for the ritual thanksgiving, and during the overnight ritual, each direction is ceremoniously thanked in turn, with the seal "玉清至宝" (Precious Treasure of the Jade Purity) stamped on the character "月" (month).
(2) Thank-you petition and statement: i.e., a thank-you statement for repaying kindness, planting blessings, and praying for peace, used to express gratitude for the presence of the honored deities and divine officers of the Jiao ritual. The statement declares the heartfelt sentiment, "Now that the good deeds have been completed, the sacred carriage is hard to gaze upon, and the cloud path is filled with the utmost reluctance to part." Thereafter,
The "Dao Jing Shi Bao" seal is stamped on the character "Yue." There are eleven in total: respectively presented to the Great Luo Primordial Heaven Palace, the Golden Que Four Emperors Heaven Palace, the Yao Palace Two Empresses Heaven Palace, the Heaven-Earth-Water-Yue Manor, the Southern Dipper and Northern Star Palace, the Five Masters and Four Saints Manor, the Three Primordial Metropolitan Manor, the South Sea Guanyin Buddha Palace (in the Minnan region, Guanyin is regarded as a local deity, and the Great Master figure invited during the Universal Salvation rite is said to be an incarnation of Guanyin; the outer altar of Daoism also sets up a Guanyin altar), the Earth Manor Northern Yin Palace, the Benming Yuanchen Palace, and the various temples and shrines of the mortal world.
(4) (Issuing) Official documents
Official documents mean the written submissions for the public Jiao ritual to honor the deities, transformed from the usage of imperial official documents. In Wang Qizhen's compilation, the "Shangqing Lingbao Dafa," they are called "public dispatches." They are six official documents issued by the Lingbao Dafa Bureau, with white envelopes and black characters on white paper. The format of these documents, beneath the large characters "Lingbao Dafa Bureau," states "Regarding the matter of presenting the memorial," followed by the specific time, location, name of the Jiao sponsor, and scale of the Jiao ritual, then emphasizes "only six official documents are included," summoning the deities (with the following deity names listed) to respectfully deliver them on time without delay. The destinations to which these official document envelopes are delivered include: 1. Before the desk of the Dongyue Lord in charge of the case of masterless lonely souls; 2. Before the tent of the City God of the local prefecture and county; 3. To be delivered to the thirty-six thunder officers and seventy-two deputy officers and soldiers; 4. Before the seat of the efficacious bright deities of the Jiao family's incense fire for notification; 5. To be delivered before the seat of the local Fude and Dangjing Minzhu Gongwang; 6. To be submitted before the seat of the masters of the two schools of Dao and Fa in this altar's incense fire. Their main format is folded at the corners and sealed, with "one item inside" written on the back.
(5) Dispatches: Issued by the Lingbao Dafa Bureau, "dispatches" invite the divine officers to carry out the purification and ritual ceremonies. Their names and the divine officers and immortal officials summoned are as follows.
1Bamboo dispatch (for mountain, forest, earth, and Houtu spirits)
2Mountain-sealing and water-prohibiting dispatch (for the holy multitudes of the lords of the Five Sacred Mountains and famous mountains, and the crystal immortals of the dragon palaces and wave gardens; both front and back are stamped with "Yuqing Zhibao," and after the "dispatch" character, a "hao" is written in cinnabar)
3Memorial-issuing dispatch (for the Three Realms Meritorious Officers, the Four Direct Envoys, the appointed divine officers, and the transmitting deities; at the end, the ancestral master Zhang, the Three-Day Orthodox Teaching, Jingying Xianyou Zhenjun, is specially invoked to preside)
4Purification dispatch (for the Supreme Nine Phoenix Purification General)
5Lamp-pole erection dispatch (at the end, the large characters "Lingbao Dafa Bureau, submitted before the desk of the Provincial City God for inspection and execution" are prominently marked; inviting the duty Meritorious Officer, the banner-erecting envoy, and the local blessing deities and true officials of the inner realm)
6Water Invitation Certificate (Water Calamity Relief True Lord, Water Messenger)
7Altar Prohibition Four Spirits Certificate (Four Spirits True Lords, Purification Officials)
8Ten Paths to Heaven Certificate (1 Miao Zhen, 2 Bao Guang, 3 Zhen Zu, 4 Jin Guang, 5 Kai Ming, 6 Ri Hui, 7 Xian Qing, 8 Zi Xu, 9 Shang Zhi, 10 Fa Yun Boy 1-46)
9Noon Audience Altar Prohibition Certificate (Shen Xiao Altar Prohibition Grand General)
10Noon Audience Evil Expulsion Certificate (Shen Xiao Evil Expulsion Grand General)
11Noon Audience Golden Bell Certificate (Thunder Wind Fire Yang Grand General)
12Noon Audience Jade Chime Certificate (Thunder Wind Fire Yin Grand General)
13Water Lotus Lantern Certificate (Water Calamity Relief True Official)
14Universal Salvation Certificate (Eastern Palace Compassionate Father Taiyi Salvation Suffering Heavenly Lord, Lingbao Great Dharma Office, issued to orphaned souls; given to "all male and female orphaned souls without masters or sacrifices within this area," respectfully inviting the Eastern Palace Compassionate Father Taiyi Salvation Suffering Heavenly Lord to guide them to the path of rebirth) (also known as Orphaned Souls Certificate)
15Merit Certificate (Certificate inviting the Fortune Star Immeasurable Great Heavenly Lord as witness, with the "Songshan Cihui Hall Seal" stamped on the front of the "Merit Certificate," and the "Yaochi Golden Mother" seal stamped on the back of the "Certificate")
16City God Certificate (submitted to the local City God)
17Land Document (submitted to the local land deity)
II. Parallel Documents: Memorial Transmission Document, Four Court Sessions Document
The meaning of "Guan" (Document) is to unite and pass through, to open the way for action. According to the Tang and Song dynasty official document classification, it belongs to parallel documents. In the Daoist altar, it is issued by the Lingbao Grand Law Office, commissioning the officer-generals and meritorious officials to receive the memorials and deliver them to the relevant celestial offices at the appointed time.
1. Memorial Transmission Document: The "Memorial Transmission and Delivery Document" issued in the name of "Flying Clouds Presenting the Heavenly Worthy," after the large characters "Lingbao Grand Law Office," states: "Under the Heavenly Master's Office, the humble minister in charge of the ritual, [name] (such as Li Tongxun), holding the office of enforcing the laws of the Three Heavens, serving in the records office of the Five Bureaus, following the established regulations, the document must be communicated throughout the Three Realms, and according to the ritual protocols, it must reach the Nine Heavens. For the ritual sponsor and all the people, praying for protection and well-being, we now sincerely present this mortal petition to welcome and invite the Supreme Emperor." It is then delivered with the memorials to be submitted, in the following numbers: Three Realms Heavenly Palaces (for submission), Four Emperors' Heavenly Palaces (for submission), Two Later Heavenly Palaces (for offering), Three Primes Heavenly Palaces (for delivery), Heavenly Court Gate (for presentation), Earthly Court Gate (for reporting), Water Court Gate (for petitioning), Prison Court Gate (for delivery), Five Masters and Four Saints Office (for presentation), Southern Dipper and Northern Star Palaces (for delivery), Heavenly Holy Mother (for offering), Eastern Pole Qingxuan Heavenly Palace (for submission: for universal salvation purposes), Earth Office Nine Layers Palace (for presentation: for Dragon-Settling and Earth-Thanksgiving occasions)." The format ends with the large characters "Flying Clouds Presenting the Heavenly Worthy," commissioning the day's memorial-transmitting meritorious official and talisman envoy; the large character "Guan" has the character "Xing" (execute) written in red; the two seals "Jade Purity Supreme Treasure" are stamped on the "Bao Da" of "Lingbao Grand Law Office" at the beginning, and on the "Yue" (month) of the date at the end.
The meaning of "Guan" (Document) is to unite and pass through, to open the way for action. According to the Tang and Song dynasty official document classification, it belongs to parallel documents. In the Daoist altar, it is issued by the Lingbao Grand Law Office, commissioning the officer-generals and meritorious officials to receive the memorials and deliver them to the relevant celestial offices at the appointed time.
1. Memorial Transmission Document: The "Memorial Transmission and Delivery Document" issued in the name of "Flying Clouds Presenting the Heavenly Worthy," after the large characters "Lingbao Grand Law Office," states: "Under the Heavenly Master's Office, the humble minister in charge of the ritual, [name] (such as Li Tongxun), holding the office of enforcing the laws of the Three Heavens, serving in the records office of the Five Bureaus, following the established regulations, the document must be communicated throughout the Three Realms, and according to the ritual protocols, it must reach the Nine Heavens. For the ritual sponsor and all the people, praying for protection and well-being, we now sincerely present this mortal petition to welcome and invite the Supreme Emperor." It is then delivered with the memorials to be submitted, in the following numbers: Three Realms Heavenly Palaces (for submission), Four Emperors' Heavenly Palaces (for submission), Two Later Heavenly Palaces (for offering), Three Primes Heavenly Palaces (for delivery), Heavenly Court Gate (for presentation), Earthly Court Gate (for reporting), Water Court Gate (for petitioning), Prison Court Gate (for delivery), Five Masters and Four Saints Office (for presentation), Southern Dipper and Northern Star Palaces (for delivery), Heavenly Holy Mother (for offering), Eastern Pole Qingxuan Heavenly Palace (for submission: for universal salvation purposes), Earth Office Nine Layers Palace (for presentation: for Dragon-Settling and Earth-Thanksgiving occasions)." The format ends with the large characters "Flying Clouds Presenting the Heavenly Worthy," commissioning the day's memorial-transmitting meritorious official and talisman envoy; the large character "Guan" has the character "Xing" (execute) written in red; the two seals "Jade Purity Supreme Treasure" are stamped on the "Bao Da" of "Lingbao Grand Law Office" at the beginning, and on the "Yue" (month) of the date at the end.
2Four Court Sessions Document: Morning Court Session Document, Noon Court Session Document, Evening Court Session Document, and Overnight Court Session Document, respectively commissioning the envoys of the year, month, time, and day to present the heartfelt words. Additionally, the Birthday Celebration Court Ritual Document commissions the meritorious official and daily duty envoy to present the words during the birthday celebration court.
III. Downward Documents: Proclamations and Talismans
"Proclamation" means "a public notice for announcement," intended to publicize and convey the information of the fasting and ritual ceremony and to bear witness to its merits; "Talisman," also called "Talisman Decree," "True Talisman," or "Talisman Script," refers to various talismanic writings, edicts, and contracts, used to summon deities and dispatch generals, and to unite talismans and verify efficacy. In the official document systems of successive dynasties, both belong to downward documents.
(1) Proclamations
1Qingxuan Salvation Office, for the matter of repaying kindness and establishing a ritual to protect the region (issued on the year, month, and day of the Heavenly Cycle, stamped with "Jade Purity Supreme Treasure" on the month, respectfully inviting the Eastern Palace Compassionate Father Taiyi Qingxuan Hearer-of-Cries Salvation Heavenly Worthy to guide the departed to the Pure Land; below the "Proclamation" is the red endorsement "Hao" (to be posted outside the altar for public notice))
2Lingbao Grand Law Office, for the matter of the cloud kitchen supervising the fast (followed by the large characters "Right proclamation for public notice, ritual assembly notification," issued on the year, month, and day of the Heavenly Cycle, stamped with "Jade Purity Supreme Treasure" on the month, "Proclamation Display")
3Imperially Enfeoffed Local Guardian Deity, for the matter of repaying kindness and establishing a ritual to protect the region (followed by the large characters "Right proclamation for all to know, deities and mortals notified," issued on the year, month, and day of the Heavenly Cycle, stamped with "Jade Purity Supreme Treasure" on the month, below the "Proclamation" is the red endorsement "Hao")
4Cihuitang Thanksgiving Five-Dynasty Blessing Ritual Prayer for Peace and Blessing Golden Notice (at the end in large characters "The above notice is hereby made known to all, deities and mortals alike," issued on the date of the Heavenly Cycle year, month, and day, stamped with the "Jade Purity Supreme Treasure" over the date, respectfully inviting "Patriarch Zhang, the Three Heavens Orthodox Unity, Tranquil Response, Manifest Assistance, True Lord, Chief Arbiter"), below the "Notice" is a vermilion endorsement "Number" (posted in front of the altar for public announcement))
5The Nine Primordial Response Palace, concerning the matter of thanksgiving and establishing a ritual to protect the territory (at the end in large characters "The above notice is hereby made known, deities and mortals alike," issued on the date of the Heavenly Cycle year, month, and day, stamped with the "Jade Purity Supreme Treasure" over the date, respectfully inviting "Patriarch Zhang, the Three Heavens Orthodox Unity, Tranquil Response, Manifest Assistance, True Lord, Chief Arbiter"), below the "Notice" is a vermilion endorsement "Number" (posted outside the altar for public announcement))
6The Three Realms Myriad Spirits Palace, concerning the matter of thanksgiving and establishing a ritual to protect the territory (the above is respectfully made known, deities and mortals alike, issued on the date of the Heavenly Cycle year, month, and day, stamped with the "Jade Purity Supreme Treasure" over the date, below the "Notice" is a vermilion endorsement "Number")
7The Lingbao Orthodox Unity Heavenly Master Palace, concerning the matter of thanksgiving and establishing a ritual to protect the territory (the above is respectfully made known, deities and mortals alike, issued on the date of the Heavenly Cycle year, month, and day, stamped with the "Jade Purity Supreme Treasure" over the date, below the "Notice" is a vermilion endorsement "Number")
8The Northern Pole Four Saints Palace, concerning the matter of thanksgiving and establishing a ritual to protect the territory (the above is respectfully made known, deities and mortals alike, issued on the date of the Heavenly Cycle year, month, and day, stamped with the "Jade Purity Supreme Treasure" over the date, below the "Notice" is a vermilion endorsement "Number")
9Proclamation of the Great Being (Lingbao Great Dharma Office, stamped with the "Jade Purity Supreme Treasure" over the character "Great," the smaller characters below concern the matter of relief, "all male and female wandering souls and solitary spirits without masters or descendants within this territory" are hereby informed, issued on the date of the Heavenly Cycle year, month, and day, stamped with the "Jade Purity Supreme Treasure" over the date, respectfully inviting the Eastern Palace Compassionate Father, the Great Physician Who Relieves Suffering, Heavenly Lord, to guide them to rebirth, at the end below the large "Notice" is written in vermilion the character "Proclamation.")
10Red Notice (Dragon script and phoenix seal script, at the end in large characters "The above notice is hereby proclaimed, deities and mortals alike," respectfully inviting "Patriarch Zhang, the Three Heavens Assisting Transformation, Orthodox Unity, Tranquil Response, Manifest Assistance, True Lord, Chief Arbiter"), below the "Notice" is a vermilion endorsement "Number" (posted in front of the altar), with the flourish signature "A Heart of Pure Sincerity")
11The Lingbao Great Dharma Office, concerning the matter of restraining solitary spirits (may be compared with 9-473, the Supreme Yellow Register Great Purification Ritual Established Protocol, "Notice for Restraining Solitary Spirits")
12The Lingbao Great Dharma Office, concerning the matter of relieving solitary spirits (Yellow Notice) (the five characters "Lingbao Great Dharma Office" are enclosed in a vermilion circle, below which is the "Songshan Cihuitang Seal"; the above respectfully informs "all male and female wandering souls and solitary spirits and lingering souls without masters or descendants within this territory," respectfully inviting the Eastern Palace Compassionate Father, the Great Physician of Azure Mystery Who Seeks Sounds and Relieves Suffering, Heavenly Lord, to guide them to rebirth," issued on the twenty-third day of the eighth month of the Heavenly Cycle year Yiyou, stamped with the "Jade Purity Supreme Treasure" over the date, below the "Notice" is a vermilion endorsement "Number" (posted in front of the altar), with the flourish signature "A Heart of Pure Sincerity")
(2) Talismans: Talismans are the most widely used in establishing a ritual altar. They are categorized below by ritual name, with detailed explanations to be published in a dedicated article.
A. Establishing the altar and erecting the flagpole
1Talisman for breaking ground at the outer altar: Generally, the "Nine Oxen Breaking Ground Talisman" is used: "Respectfully invoking the Great General Nine Oxen Breaking Ground to start the earth and suppress evil spirits," with the talisman head being "Yu Jian Er" in 28 strokes, and the talisman tail being the "Liu Ren" charm.
2Talisman for breaking ground to erect the lantern flagpole: Generally, the "Nine Oxen Breaking Ground Talisman" is used.
3Talisman for purifying the lantern flagpole: The talisman head is "Yu Jian Er," with the text "The Great General Nine Phoenixes Purifying Filth cleanses the altar realm, great auspiciousness," and the tail is the Liu Ren charm.
4Protective talismans for the five directions of the inner altar: The Eight Trigrams and directional names are written.
5Qilin talisman: On red paper, written in cinnabar, "The Qilin Star Lord has arrived."
6Phoenix talisman: Posted at the entrance of the Three Realms Altar as its "altar guardian talisman." With the Three Officials talisman head at the top, written in cinnabar on yellow paper, "Thunder command, Nine Phoenixes Purifying Filth have arrived to pray for peace in the ritual and safety throughout the region."
7Water talisman: On black paper, written in white ink, "The Northern Emperor commands the Water Virtue Star Lord of the North to arrive at this charm."
B. Offering to the banners
1Heaven cloth talisman: At the top is the "Three Pure Ones talisman head," below it is the taboo name of the Jade Emperor, the actual ruler and lord of all deities, and below that are the purpose of the ritual and the prayers, ending with a "Liu Ren" charm character as the "talisman tail."
2Earth Talisman: At the top, write the three Pure Ones talisman heads in black, the taboo name of the Savior of the Suffering Heavenly Honored One who presides over the universal salvation and relief of lonely spirits, and the object and merit of salvation reading "By imperial decree, all ten types of male and female masterless lonely souls and lingering spirits within this realm are summoned to the lonely feast to hear the scriptures, attain liberation, and be reborn in the Western Paradise," with a "Liu Ren Gang" character pressed at the end as the talisman tail.
C. Sealing Mountains and Waters
1Purity-Breaking Talisman (yellow background, red talisman): Invokes the Great General Nine Phoenixes Who Breaks Defilement.
2Evil-Suppressing Talisman (black background, white talisman): Invokes the Water Virtue Star Lord for purification.
D. Settling the Dragon and Escorting the Tiger
1Former Heaven Eight Trigrams Straw Mat Talisman: Written with chalk on the back of the new straw mat on which the rice dragon is placed, drawing cosmological symbols such as the Supreme Ultimate, Five Elements, Eight Trigrams, and Luo Shu.
2Dragon God Blue Talisman Cloth: Using blue cotton cloth as the base, write in white chalk "Respectfully following the Left Azure Dragon Divine Lord, opening the Kejia constellation."
3White Tiger White Talisman Cloth: Using white cotton cloth as the base, write in brush and ink "Respectfully following the Right White Tiger Star Lord, broadly acquiring farmland estates."
4Dragon-Settling Nine Palaces Talismans (Four Spirits talismans plus Five Directions talismans)
5Eight Trigrams House-Settling Dragon God Talisman (Five directions descend with true vital energy, ten thousand blessings naturally arrive): Placed behind the main deity statue or on the lintel above the back of the main door.
6Five Scissors, Rulers, and Mirror Talismans: Placed in the five directions of the main hall, with the talisman paper colors coordinated according to the generating cycle of the Five Elements.
7Five Directions Peace-Settling Talisman Decree: Used in conjunction with settling the Five Directions and Five Dragons.
Wu, Issuance (If it is a Grand Pudu, an additional eighteen talismans are added: Pudu, Incense Invitation, Inviting the Deities, Divine Tiger, Zhu Yan, Ten Thousand Deities, Imperial Decree, Deng, Gou, Wen, Zhang, Xin, Bi, Ma, Tao, Zhao, Yue, Fire-Dispelling)
1Opening the Heavenly Gate: First light the , blow it upward, then perform the "Three Purities Table" movement, striking the altar table three times with the purification board, symbolizing the opening of the Heavenly Gate, Earthly Door, and Human Gate to prepare for presenting the memorial to the court; sealing the Ghost Door, severing all defilement and interference.
2Purifying the Altar: In conjunction with the "Small Altar Purification" ritual, the high priest burns the into the water bowl, using the sanctified divine water to cleanse invisible defilements, as the saying goes, "A drop of cold spring purifies this place; a thousand kinds of filth are driven to other lands." Fresh old banyan leaves are dipped into the talisman water for the sprinkling purification.
3Water Bowl: In conjunction with the "Writing the Water Bowl" sequence, consecrate the pure water in the water bowl, write the names and taboo characters of the Nine Phoenixes Breaking Defilement Great General and others, and visually project divine light onto the bowl.
4Incense Talisman: In conjunction with praising the Incense Cloud Forming Seals Great Heavenly Venerable to transmit merit, emphasizing that the Dao is united with the heart, and the heart is transmitted through incense.
5Presenting the Talisman: This is the talisman decree inviting the Merit Officer Talisman Envoy, and chanting the holy names of the Great Sage Transmitting Sincerity and Reaching Devotion Heavenly Venerable, the Great Sage Divine Might as If Present Heavenly Venerable, and the Great Sage All Three Realms Gathering Heavenly Venerable.
6Ten Thousand Deities: Serves as the talisman contract for summoning the following deities.
7Yuyang Palace: Responsible for salvation and deliverance.
8Official General Talismans: The Four Marshals Ma, Zhao, Wen, and Yin.
9Three Realms Talisman: Heaven, Earth, and Water Realms.
10Four Direct Emissaries: The four direct meritorious emissaries of year, month, day, and hour.
11Earth God: The various gods of the local territory.
12Blazing Fire: To be verified.
13Zhang: Thunder officials and generals.
14Fire Transference: To be verified.
6. Universal Salvation
1Ten talismans for ten types of injuries: Lingbao talismans for resolving tomb disputes, death in prison, death by poisoning, death by killing, death by drowning, death by evil spirits, death of stillborn fetuses, death by hanging, death by wrongful debts, and death by contagious disease (ten talismanic commands). These talismanic commands are used to save ten types of souls who died unnaturally or were improperly handled, the orphaned and lingering spirits. After the high priest chants each talismanic command, the congregation sings the , accompanied by the mournful tune of "In the vast Fengdu," combined with the burning of paper offerings to carry out the salvation ritual.
2Five True Talismans: The "Lingbao Talisman of Transforming Clothes" of the Heavenly Lord of Transformation from the Three Heavens is given to the "Spirit Kings and Spirit Officials of Clothing Transformation of the Three Heavens"; the "Lingbao True Talisman of Flowing Moisture for Distributing Dharma Water" of the Heavenly Lord of Flowing Moisture of Dharma Clouds is given to the "Water Officials of the Water Palace and Spring Palace"; the "Lingbao True Talisman of Sweet Dew Moistening" of the Heavenly Lord of Great Compassion of Taiyi; the "Lingbao True Talisman of Restoring the Five Limbs and Complete Form" of the Heavenly Lord of Salvation of Ten Cycles is given to the Five Emperors and Demon Kings to be bestowed upon the officials and generals of the Heavenly Hospital for Refining and Salvation; the "Lingbao True Talisman of Transforming Food" of the Heavenly Lord of Great Compassion of Taiyi is given to the Envoys of the Cloud Kitchen of the Nine Heavens and the King of Transforming Food.
3One talismanic command: The "Primordial Beginning, Immeasurable Heavenly Lord's Talismanic Command of Universal Illumination of Orphaned Souls" of the Heavenly Lord of Broad Salvation of the Sinking is given to the officials of the Spirit Tiger Summoning Bureau of the Northern Kui Mysterious Model Palace, led by Marshals He and Qiao, who are the summoning officials.
7. Morning Rituals (using the previous morning as an example)
1Preliminary Opening: The high priest burns the "Opening Ritual Talisman" before the altar of the Three Pure Ones, silently visualizes the "Three Masters' Names" (i.e., the taboo names of the Three Pure Ones), and forms the Jade Seal hand gesture with the fingers. Then, after reciting the incantation and performing the Five Elements Pace, the document is released, and the ritual of purifying the altar and invoking the masters is carried out.
2Entering the altar: The high priest first proceeds to the left corner of the altar area (before Marshal Kang), representing the "Officers and Generals in Front" who guard the golden gate of the Jade Emperor's Palace; the high priest first burns the , silently recites the , then steps the "Northern Dipper Pace," releases the document, and offers incense to the officers and generals. These ritual techniques precisely represent the credentials and verification for entering the altar.
3Altar corner: Next, the high priest visualizes the golden light of the Jade Emperor protecting his body, walks three steps from before the officers and generals to before the Jade Emperor's curtain, burns the talisman, recites the incantation, steps the "Southern Dipper Pace," releases the document, and offers incense, representing that he may now enter within the golden gate to pay homage to the Jade Emperor.
4Lord Lao: In coordination with "Paying Homage to the Five Elders," the ritual position uses the space before Lord Lao's throne as a symbol. Here the high priest burns the talisman, silently recites the , steps the "Five Elements Pace," and releases the document, summoning the merit officer on duty to open the gate, then enters the palace gate to pay homage to the Five Elders of Primordial Heaven.
5Hand furnace: The high priest holds up the furnace in a high kneeling position, holds the incense upright, and directs it toward his brow (yintang) while visualizing. Through the swirling incense mist forming seal characters, he moves his spirit to unite with the Dao and treads the shadows to fly into mystery; then with his left hand he purifies the incense, recites the secret incantation, and breathes out qi, after which he offers incense three times into the hand furnace, and then burns the talisman into the hand furnace. This is the "Kneeling at the Furnace with Three Incense Offerings" (offering incense to the Three Masters of Lingbao).
6Summoning all spirits: The ritual proceeds to "Requesting the Proclamation of the Spirit Incantation," that is, chanting the and burning the . Through the spiritual light of the Five Stars, it activates the function of "The Five Stars shine in array, illuminating the Five Directions," and thereby protects the body spirits of the high priest's five organs, dispels calamities and difficulties for the faithful, and prays for the prosperity of the family and the nation.
7Igniting the furnace: In this section of the ritual, it is always said that one first burns the into the hand furnace. Following the twenty-four beats of the ritual drum in the rear and the subsequent melodious string music, the high priest closes his eyes and stabilizes his mind to gather his own spirit and qi, and coordinates with ritual techniques such as knocking the upper and lower teeth together and swallowing saliva to visualize, in order to "ignite the furnace and dispatch the officers."
8Restoring the furnace: The cantor retrieves the hand furnace and burns the into it. The high priest then performs the "Restoring the Furnace and Receiving the Officers" (also called "Prostrating at the Furnace") ritual section, thereby receiving the officers back to their positions and returning the body spirits that were dispatched when the furnace was ignited back to their respective body palaces.
9Exiting the gate: While chanting the melody "The Great Heavenly Venerable Returns to the Palanquin and Returns to the Carriage," the high priest first burns the before Lord Lao's position, silently recites the , then steps the and releases the document, after which the incense attendant lowers the beaded curtain.
10Thanking the Masters: In coordination with the ritual section of thanking the Heavenly Master.
11Xie Sheng: In coordination with the ritual of thanking the Northern Emperor, the high priest holds a rosary on the tablet and silently recites the "Hundred-Character Invocation" (Xuán Tiān Shàng Dì Bǎo Gào).
VIII. Thanking the Altar
1Heavenly Master Talisman: Given to the chief sponsor of the Jiao, to be pasted above the family shrine.
2Peace Talisman: Given to the chief sponsor of the Jiao, to be carried for personal use.