Introduction on the Official Taoist Gai Lian Ritual aka Eliminating of Offences & Sins (道教科儀改連科簡介)

Last weekend, while Vabien & Jave were invited to attend the Taoist Celebration at Heng San Tua aka Xing Shan Tan (興山壇), Master Koh Chor Hian (興玄道壇許祖賢大道長) had conducted a session of Gai Lian Ritual (赦罪改連補運科) under the “witnessing” of the presence of Jade Emperor of Heaven (玉皇大天尊) at the Celebration Premises.

Vabien was quite interested & fascinated by the very local way of how Master Koh had conducted the Ritual using 36/72/120/130 Ancient Coins (三十六/七十二/一百二十/一百三十個銅錢), 24/36 Chopsticks (廿四/三十六支筷子), a bundle of Gai Nian Paper (改年紙禡) & the method of the Paper, Coins & Chopsticks must be “burnt” together to get the permission for the requesting of the Eliminating of the major 36/48 Offences & Sins that we, Mortal, will committed.

So people might wondered what are the 36/48 major Offences & Sins that we the Mortal will committed, in the following, I will extract a few examples from the Gai Lian Scripture (太上元始天尊說改連妙經);

1 – Reprimanding of the Weather, for example, when the Raining non-stop, some people will “scold” the Rain for being “cruel”, in the scripture described as 疾風驟雨咒罵穢

2 – Do not bother to support the Parent when they are old or poor, in the scripture described as父母孤貧全不顧

3 – Encouraging couple to divorce, force family to discard the bonds, making rumours of breaking up the relationship of relatives, fighting against siblings, in the scripture described as棄親向疏罪非輕

Above are the 3 common Offences or Sins that Mortal might committed.

So who is the main Deity In-charge of this Scripture/Ritual?

Firstly, this Ritual must be done with the presence of Jade Emperor of Heaven.

Secondly, as we can see in the Cover-page of this Scripture, it’s being explained by Supreme Lord Yuan Shi (元始天尊) and later was being handed-over to Heavenly Master Zhang Dao Ling (張祖天師) for the promoting of it in the Mortal Realm.

So when is the best timing to conduct such Ritual?

Of cos it will be best to be conducted during major or Grand Official Taoist Celebration, if not, will b on the Manifestation Anniversary of Jade Emperor of Heaven or during End of Year Ritual that is conducted for the requesting of Good Blessing for the new Lunar Year.

Does this Ritual only dedicated to Mortal?

Not necessary. To be more accurate, this Ritual can be conducted dedicated to Pass-on Ancestors, Family Members or even other Beings.

So what are the Items/Offerings needed for this Ritual?

As mentioned above, those items are a MUST and for those who are not attending the Ritual conducted by Official Taoist Priests can also prepare the following items for Self-honouring, they are;

1 – Gai Nian Paper aka Eliminating of Offences (改年紙禡)

 

2 – She Zui Paper aka Eliminating of Sins (赦罪紙禡)

3 – San Guan Ku Qian aka San Guan Coffer Paper (三官庫錢)