Introduction on Mount Tai General Wu Dao (東嶽五道將軍簡介)

General Wu Dao aka Wu Dao Jiang Jun (五道將軍), a Taoist Deity that In-charge of Witholding the Order of the Souls & Spirits while the Souls & Spirits Enter-into or Exit-out from the Nether Realm (冥府) aka Negative Dimension (陰司).

According to Ancient Records, Wu Dao Jiang Jun was the Subordinate or Assistant of Dong Yue Da Di aka Lord Mount Tai (泰山東嶽大帝). Besides that, Wu Dao Jiang Jun was also the Assistant of Heavenly Lord Tai Yi (太乙救苦天尊), while Lord Tai Yi travelled around to carry the Task of Salvations.

In Nether Realm, Wu Dao Jiang Jun would Assist the Lords of the Ten Court (十殿冥王 the 10 Manifestations of Lord Tai Yi 十方化身救苦天尊) in Creating Recording for the Newly Pass-on Souls, Eliminate the Old Records of Reborn Souls & also, Fixing Good or Bad Reborn for a Reborning Soul.

While Wu Dao Jiang Jun being invited into the Mortal Realm, he would be In-charge of Ensuring that the Souls & Spirits that being Release-out were in Order and not Creating any Mischievous Actions to the Mortals. When Wu Dao Jiang Jun arrived in the Mortal Realm, he would Change his Face-color from Brown to Green, in-order to Withold the Authorities that Heaven appointed to him in Maintaining the Order for the Souls & Spirits.

In the Mortal Realm, Wu Dao Jiang Jun would carried a Fan (幡) aka Banner Flag with Five Colors-cloth on it, the Five Colors were Gold (金), Silver (銀), Green (綠), Brown (褐) & Black (皂) and also a Spiritual Whisk (拂塵) to lead the Souls or Spirits to the assigned or destinated Venues.

These Five Colors were there to represent the Five Bridges that existed in the Nether Realm or Negative Dimension. The Five Bridges were:

1) Golden Bridge (金橋), to lead to Positive Realm or Heavenly Realm
2) Silver Bridge (銀橋), to lead to Mortal Realm with Good & Prosperity Reborn
3) Jaden Bridge (玉橋), to lead to Mortal Realm with Good but Normal Reborn
4) Wooden Bridge (木橋), to lead to Mortal Realm with Normal but Hardship Reborn
5) Nether World Suffering Bridge (奈何橋), to lead to Nether Realm for Sins & Debts Hearing and maybe Punishments

While Wu Dao Jiang Jun was being appointed to Stand-guard in the Nether Realm, he would usually hold onto the Five Color Fan (五色幡) and also a Spear (槍) in-order to maintain the Order in the Chaotic Realm.

In Taoist Salvation Rituals/Ceremonies, Wu Dao Jiang Jun will be invited to the Salvation Venue to assist in the High Priests to maintain the Order. In certain cases, Wu Dao Jiang Jun's Paper-figurine will be made dedicated to him and being placed near to the Main Altar of Salvation.

In Asia now, due to the Mixture-culture and Non-relevant Teachings, alot of Taoists & Chinese had stopped inviting Wu Dao Jiang Jun but Da Shi Ye aka The Buddhist Ghostly King. Now, in some Areas in Asia, the Buddhists even Claimed that Wu Dao Jiang Jun is the General that In-charge of the Liu Dao Lun Hui (六道輪迴) aka the Six Realms Reborning Cycle. I can said that, this is NOT Accurate & Official.

In some Taoist Contexts, Wu Dao Jiang Jun is also being illustrated as the Deity of Opening of the Path in the Five-directions. Which I cant said that this is totally Wrong but Not very Accurate. Worst is that, Folks tend to relate him with the Robbery or Theif Deities (五盜神) - due to the Same Pronouciation on the Official Titles.

Manifestation Anniversary of General Wu Dao falls on 12th Day of Lunar 3 Month (五道將軍化身聖誕為農曆三月十二日).

Summary

In here, I will like to use this Opportunity to advise Official Temples & Taoists in changing the Invitation of Wu Dao Jiang Jun while Temples or any Taoists conducting the Rituals/Ceremonies for Salvation. Cos in Taoism, Only Wu Dao Jiang Jun is able to perform the Necessary Tasks for the Salvation.

Hope that after Returning Wu Dao Jiang Jun his True Identity in this Mortal Realm, he is able to bless All the Mortals with Good Future and Good Reborn.