There are many important rituals in Taoism. Here are some common ones introduced to you:
Taoist Rituals (Fast and Sacrifice)
Meaning and Purpose: Taoist rituals, also commonly known as "ritual arenas" or "religious ceremonies", are sacrificial and prayer ceremonies held on altars in Taoism. They have a wide range of purposes. They can be used to pray for blessings and eliminate disasters for the living, such as praying for the prosperity of the country and the people, good weather for the crops, and the health and career success of family members. They can also be used to help the deceased cross over and ascend to the fairyland, helping them get out of suffering and reach the immortal realm earlier.
Main Links: Generally, it includes setting up altars and arranging incense burners, offerings, etc. according to specific regulations; chanting scriptures, where Taoist priests will recite classics such as "The Scripture of Saving People" and "The Scripture of the Jade Emperor", using the power of the scriptures to communicate with the gods; worshiping, performing the kowtow ceremony to the gods to express piety and reverence; playing music, creating a solemn and sacred atmosphere with instruments such as bells, drums, and chimes; making hand gestures (mudras), where Taoist priests form various hand seals with their fingers, symbolizing the transmission of information to the gods and the exertion of magical power; chanting incantations, strengthening the effect of the ceremony by chanting incantations with mysterious power. The whole process has strict steps, and the participating Taoist priests perform their respective duties and must follow the ritual norms strictly.
Scripture Recitation
Significance: Scripture recitation is an important way for Taoist believers in daily cultivation and inheriting the teachings. Through reciting scriptures, Taoist priests and believers, on the one hand, expect to purify their own minds, get rid of distractions, and make their inner hearts reach a calm and peaceful state. On the other hand, they believe that they can establish communication with the gods with the help of the sacred power of the scriptures, obtain the protection and inspiration of the gods, and help themselves continuously progress on the path of cultivation.
Common Classics: Commonly recited classics include "Tao Te Ching", which contains profound Taoist philosophical thoughts, and its interpretation of "Tao" can inspire cultivators to understand the great Tao; "The Scripture of Purity and Tranquility" emphasizes conforming to "Tao" by maintaining inner peace, guiding people to cultivate their minds; "The Yellow Court Scripture" focuses on the content of health preservation and immortality cultivation, providing cultivators with theories and methods of health preservation.
Worship
Forms and Connotations: There are various forms of worship. The most solemn one is called "kowtow", which requires kneeling on both knees, putting both hands on the ground, touching the head to the ground and staying for a while to show extreme respect for the gods. "Bowing with hands folded" is also a commonly used one. With hands folded in front of the chest in a salute and the body slightly leaning forward, it expresses politeness and piety. Through worship, believers express their respect, gratitude, and the wish for protection to the Three Purities, Four Sovereigns, and all kinds of immortals in Taoism. It is an important behavior to show a respectful attitude in religious belief.
Paying Homage to Immortals
Meaning and Practice: Paying homage to immortals means worshiping the various true immortals in Taoism. Believers or Taoist priests will go to the halls in Taoist temples at specific times to perform worship and other rituals to the statues of the immortals enshrined there. For example, on some Taoist festivals or the birthdays of Taoist patriarchs and other special days, people will go to Taoist temples to worship Yuanshi Tianzun, Taishang Laojun and other immortals. During the worship process, they should have a heart full of awe and follow the corresponding etiquette norms. Through this way, they pray for blessings and protection from the immortals, and it is also an important way to strengthen their connection with the Taoist faith.
Transmission of Ordination
Importance and Process: The transmission of ordination is an important ceremony for Taoist disciples to formally enter Taoism. It marks that a person becomes a Taoist clergy member and is incorporated into the Taoist inheritance system. Usually presided over by a master, there will be a series of processes. First, perform worship and report to the Taoist Patriarch, indicating the willingness to accept a new disciple into Taoism. Then the master will award the disciple Taoist scriptures, ritual instruments and other items symbolizing inheritance. For example, awarding "Tao Te Ching" symbolizes imparting the ideological wisdom of Taoism, and giving a ritual sword and seal means endowing them with the power to perform rituals. Finally, the disciple has to make a vow to abide by the precepts of Taoism and inherit the Taoist teachings, and from then on, formally embark on the path of Taoist cultivation.
Bestowal of Taoist Registers
Meaning and Function: The bestowal of Taoist registers is a unique religious activity of the Zhengyi School of Taoism. It is regarded as an important ceremony for Taoist priests to obtain "ritual positions" after reaching a certain level of cultivation. The register records the names, functions of many gods and corresponding talismans and incantations. After receiving the register, Taoist priests are like obtaining a "qualification certificate" recognized by the gods. They can summon the gods, perform rituals to help the world, and preside over various rituals in a legitimate manner. At the same time, it also means that their status and cultivation level in Taoism have been improved, and they shoulder greater religious responsibilities.