Saturday 1 June 2013

Brief Intro on the Taoist Salvation Lamp Ritual (濟幽燈儀簡介)






Taoist Salvation Lamp Ritual aka Ji You Deng Yi (濟幽燈儀), a very old traditional Ceremony that was originated in Zhou Dynasty (周朝).

The main objective of this Salvation Lamp Ritual is, to use the Energies of the Three Brightness aka San Guan... (三光) in these Three Realms (三界), to lead the Suffering or Wandering Souls back to the Origin Source – whereas in Taoism is known as the Eastern Palace of the Eternal Joyous (東極長樂界).

During this Ritual, the Leading Priest will manifest/transform himself into one of the Three Salvation Lords (化身為三救苦天尊之一) or the main Salvation Lord – Heavenly Lord Tai Yi (或只化身太乙慈父救苦天尊), in order to lead the Souls out from the Trapped Dimension (將”迷途”或困於窘境方域之內而無法脫身的幽魂淒魄) – which the folks will addressed it as Hell (民間一般稱此等窘境方域為”地獄”).

Upon the manifestation/transformation, the Leading Priest will used his Spiritual Sword (破幽劍) or Spiritual Rod (破域棒 – 注意﹕此域非彼獄) to “Open up” the Trapped Dimension by “Writing” a series of Taoist Talismans (破幽符諱) onto a Point on the Ceremonial-ground (as seen in the pictures). After then, a Candle or two will be blown off, this is to significant that the Trapped Dimension is being “Opened” and the Suffering Souls will be led out from the Dimension to the Ritual-holding-area (usually will be the Tablets’ Altar).

Usually the Leading of the Souls will need to repeat 9 times. This is “Try our very Best” to lead out as many Suffering Souls from the “Nine Level of Trapped Dimensions (九壘地九重幽境)”.

Once the Ritual is completed, the Souls will be led to have a “Good Shower (沐浴)” before “they” are being gathered in front of the Salvation Hall/Platform (宣經台) to “Gain their Immortality” by listening to the Chanting & Receiving of the Salvation Offerings (聞經受渡).

In the Official Taoism, there are a few types of Salvation Lamp Ritual, the most common one is known as Jiu You Deng Yi (九幽燈儀) – literally translated as Releasing of the Suffering Souls from the Ninth Trapped Dimensions of the Nine Level of Earths.

For some major Taoist Ceremonies, Shui Huo Lian Du Deng Yi (水火煉渡燈儀) – literally translated as Healing of the Suffering Souls by Enhancing of the Element of the Spiritual Water & Celestial Fire. This is considered as a very Grand-ritual to be conducted for a Salvation Ritual/Ceremony, but pity is that, this wonderful Ritual/Ceremony has yet to be conducted in Singapore, mostly those being conducted but used the title of this Ritual, were not authentic.

And in here, you all will be seeing a series of pictures taken during a Salvation Lamp Ritual, conducted for a Pass-on in Shanghai. This is another type that is quite uncommon to be seen in South East Asia. For this Ritual to take place, it needed a lot of preparation work, especially the “Drawing” of the Rice Formation on the Ceremonial-ground and also, the 100-over Spiritual Petitions to be sent off during the 9 rounds of the Leading of the Souls out from the Trapped Dimension.
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