Introduction to Daoist Rituals (Keyi)

Daoist rituals, known as Keyi in Chinese, refer to the ceremonial activities in Daoism and constitute an essential part of Daoist religious practice. These rituals are performed by Daoist priests following specific procedures and rules, aiming to establish communication between heaven and earth for various religious purposes, including praying for blessings, preventing disasters, delivering souls of the deceased, and worshipping deities.

Historical Origins

The origins of Daoist rituals can be traced back to ancient Chinese shamanic practices, sacrificial ceremonies, and early folk religious activities. As Daoism gradually developed into a systematic religion during the late Eastern Han Dynasty, especially after Zhang Daoling established the Celestial Masters School (Zhengyi Dao), Daoist rituals began to form a more complete system. During the Tang and Song dynasties, with the flourishing of Daoism, these rituals further developed and refined, forming complex and solemn ceremonial traditions.

Classification and Content

Daoist rituals can be classified into various types based on their functions and scales, primarily including:

1. Zhai and Jiao Ceremonies: The most solemn and grand rituals, including setting up altars, reciting scriptures, using talismans and incantations, and invoking deities. These are often used for major celebrations, prayers for blessings, or delivering souls. Zhai refers to purification rituals for practitioners, while Jiao involves offering sacrifices to deities of heaven and earth.
2. Repentance Rituals: Ceremonies focused on repenting sins and eliminating karmic obstacles, such as the Three Origins Repentance and Dao De Repentance.
3. Blessing and Disaster-Averting Rituals: Ceremonies conducted to pray for peace and to eliminate disasters and misfortune, such as Dragon Pacification and Home Protection rituals.
4. Soul-Deliverance Rituals: Designed to assist the souls of the deceased in escaping suffering and reaching paradise, such as the Yellow Register Retreat and Universal Deliverance ceremonies.
5. Worship Rituals: Activities devoted to the worship of Daoist deities, such as the ceremonies for the Three Pure Ones, the Jade Emperor, and the Thunder Deity.

Ritual Elements

Daoist rituals typically include the following core elements:

• Altar Establishment: Setting up divine altars according to ritual requirements, placing deity statues, ritual tools, etc.
• Invocation and Dismissal of Deities: Through specific procedures to invite deities to descend to the altar, and respectfully sending them back after the ritual.
• Scripture Recitation and Incantations: Reading Daoist classics and chanting incantations, such as the "Dao De Jing" and the "Most High Numinous Treasure's Scripture of Limitless Salvation."
• Talismanic Application: Using Daoist talismans, achieving ritual purposes through writing and burning talismans.
• Ritual Implements: Using bells, drums, swords, ruyi scepters, and other implements to enhance ritual effects.
• Daoist Music and Liturgical Chanting: Music and rhythmic recitations accompanying the rituals, including Daoist music and specific chanting methods.

Modern Significance

Contemporary Daoist rituals not only maintain traditional religious functions but also carry rich cultural values. As an important component of China's intangible cultural heritage, Daoist rituals demonstrate ancient Chinese cosmology, views on life and death, and moral concepts. Meanwhile, the musical, dance, and theatrical elements in these rituals constitute unique art forms that have profoundly influenced traditional Chinese arts.

Although the scale and frequency of traditional Daoist rituals have decreased in modern society, they remain important religious and community activities in many regions, especially in Daoist sacred sites and areas where folk beliefs prevail. These rituals continue to play irreplaceable roles during festivals, sacrificial ceremonies, weddings, funerals, and other occasions.