Taoism Rituals

Taoism is the traditional religion of China. In general, it is believed that Taoist organizations were formally established 1,900 years ago by Celestial Master Zhang Daoling during the reign (AD 126-144) of Emperor Shundi of the Eastern Han Dynasty. However, the original sources of Taoist doctrines can be traced back to the Pre-Qin period (4000-221BC)

Taoism is a word used to refer to both a philosophy and a set of spiritual doctrines as well as an extensive ritual hierarchy and monastic institution

Taoist's Live in the Guans and practice "Tao" and conduct sacred rites

These temples represent

purity and silence

A shortened version of the chiao is a ritual in which each household in a village brings an offering for the local deities. In the ceremony a Taoist priest dedicates the offerings in the names of the families, performs a ritual to restore order to the universe, and asks the gods to bring peace and prosperity to the village.

There are coomonly 5 steps to the Taoist Funeral

• 1. Preparation

2. Sympathy Flowers

• 3. The Wake

4. Procession

• 5. Cremation

Calender Activities

Holiday Lunar Calendar Solar Calendar

Chinese New Year January 1 February 3

Lantern Festival January 15 February 17

Tomb Sweeping Day March 3 April 5

Dragon Boat Festival May 5 June 6

Ghost Festival July 15 August 14

Mid-Autumn Festival August 15 September 12

Double Ninth Day September 9 October 5

Tomb Sweeping Day is also an important time to remember, honor and tend the graves of deceased ancestors. The graves are swept clean of any dirt. Weeds are pulled, and overgrown shrubs etc. trimmed. Once the graves are made clean and tidy, offerings are laid out for the ancestors: food, tea, chopsticks, and wine are common offerings. Also common is the burning of joss paper – called “spirit money” or “ghost money.”

THE END

Tomb Sweeping day : March 3rd - April 5

The Ninth Day Festival:

This traditional Chinese and Taoist holiday is a festival that is celebrated on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month.

In Chinese numerology, which is based on I Ching Theory, 9 is the quintessential yang number. A day defined by a double dose of this potent yang energy is considered to be imbalanced in a potentially dangerous way. So in an effort to compensate for this, people climb mountains on this day, drink chrysanthemum wine. They also sprigs of Dogwood for protection. Some people also visit the graves of their ancestors on this day to pay respect.

Taoist Holidays:

Modern Time celebration:

In the recent years something new was added into the old festival and it became an annual “Respect-the-Senior Festival”. Every time it comes to this day, people will hold all kinds of activities to show their wish for the senior people that they can always keep healthy and happy.

Chrysanthemum Flowers

"Flower of longevity"

Taoism

One major Taoist ritual is the chiao (jiao), a rite of cosmic renewal, which is itself made up of several rituals:

Activities of Practice

& worship

Dao Te Ching

"The Power of the way"

Brief History of Taosim

Vital to the survival of Taoism as individual understanding and practice.

The Three Pure ones are the highest deities in Taoism

- Taoist's ritual and their philosophical significance.

• Meditation
• Rituals and ceremonies
• Gods and goddesses (for taoists to worship)
• Martial Arts meditation

Taoist Music

Sites for activities of these practice's are called Guans. The Taoists temples

The sacred lamp symbolizes the light of wisdom

The Offerings

The Alter

Taoists Funeral & Ceremony

Traditional Funeral Attire:

• Children and daughters-in-law wear Black with Sackcloth (signifying that they grieve the most)
• Sons’ children wear Blue
• Daughters’ children wear Light Blue
• Sons-in-law wear White, since they are considered outsiders.

Taoism & Death :

A musical instrument played

during the ceremony

Taoists believe that death is not the end of life. When death occurs, it is treated as the continuation of life into another phase, the phase of the soul. That is why Taoists perform rituals for the dead. It is to guide the wandering soul to its new home.

The Taoist priest informs the gods of the afterworld about the good deeds of the deceased and asks for forgiveness for the wrongs committed by the deceased.

Seating Arrangements :

During the wake, the family does not wear jewelry or red clothing (red is the color of happiness).

At the wake, the family members of the deceased gather around the coffin positioned according to their rank in the family and special clothing is worn: Children and daughters-in-law wear black (signifying that they grieve the most); grandchildren, blue; and great grandchildren, light blue. Sons-in-law wear brighter colors, such as white, since they are considered outsiders. The children and daughters-in-law also wear a hood of sackcloth over their heads. The eldest son sits at the left shoulder of his parent and the deceased’s spouse on the right

With the deceased Name, date of birth and death in white, and favorite foods which was served during his life.

Taoist's Superstitions:

• When a death occurs in a family all statues of deities in the house are covered up with red paper (not to be exposed to the body or coffin) and all mirrors are removed. It is believed that one who sees the reflection of a coffin in a mirror will shortly have a death in his/her family.

• Traditional Funerals Usually last 49 days, The grandchildren do not cut their hair during this time.