THE ANCIENT TAOIST PRINCIPLE OF RECIPROCITY
IF YOU DO ME A FAVOR, I WILL RETURN A GREATER FAVOR TO YOU BUT IF YOU HURT ME, I WILL NOT OFFER THE OTHER CHEEK. IF YOU INSULT ME, I WILL PUNCH YOU; IF YOU PUNCH ME, I WILL BREAK YOUR ARM; IF YOU BREAK MY ARM, I WILL BREAK YOUR LEG; AND IF YOU BREAK MY LEG, I WILL PUT YOU IN A COFFIN
Important Note: There is consultation fee and ritual service charge when You seek help. The consultation fee & service charge are quite expensive and not anybody can afford it, or interested to pay for it. Kindly ask how much is the consultation service and ritual service fee when You seek help.
How "Ultimate Salesman" Talisman comes about and why promote it?
It actually started with one guy. He was seeking for a specific talisman that can help to improve his sales results. After much brainstorming on every details on how a sales-person with the support of sales-related talismans can turn into a Power Salesman , "Ultimate Salesman" Talisman is then being created and custom-made just for him (after he had paid a super high fee to have it created for him). It is a combination of several individual sales-related talismans.
"Ultimate Salesman Talisman" was not intended to be promoted to the public when there is already "Gods Of Wealth Of All Direction" Talisman , which is a Money-From-All-Sources-Keep-Coming Talisman.
Soon, more and more Folks are also asking the same question:" Is there a talisman that can help me specifically to improve my sales?" This is the main reason which it is finally promote to the public, so that sales people who need the "Ultimate Salesman" Talisman can own it as well.
"Ultimate Salesman Talisman" and "Gods Of Wealth Of All Direction" Talisman complements each other. They are often kept together by Scare-To-Lose Folks. Their motto is "Every talismans that can help to Suck-In-Money to me will be kept".
The Purpose of Social Power Talisman -
Whether You need to attend social functions for networking sessions or get sales and also if You enjoy going clubbing or attend many social events and want to shine brighter than the rest, this talisman will transform You into MR / MISS / MRS MOST POPULAR. This Talisman is most sought-after by Businessmen, Salesmen , Public Relation Officers , Property Agents and Sales Agents.
The Purpose of Salesman Talisman 1 & 2
These 2 Salesman Talismans are the two main Talismans that work the magic on a Sales Person. They are always combined together side by side to produce tremendous success on sales results for a sales person.
The Purpose of "Customers Keep Coming" Talisman
Have You ever noticed a shop that is always full of customers and the flow of incoming customers never stop? Or ever notice there are always customers surrounding just one particular sales person and not the others? The reason could be that the shop owner might had secretly paste this Talisman inside the shop, or the sales person (or sales-assistant) might be carrying this Talisman with him / her.
"Customers Keep Coming" Talisman is a talisman that bring customers non-stop to You , or Your shop (or office). Whether You are just a sales-person stationed at the shop or the owner of the shop , You will always have customers keep visiting You or Your shop.
The Purpose of Strike Lottery (1st Prize) Talisman
Many people will ask "What the hack is Striking Lottery going to do with sales?".
Yes, Striking the Lottery has nothing to do with Sales ... BUT... folks seeking for a Sales Related Talisman, always ask whether a Sales talisman can also help to STRIKE LOTTERY (4D / Lottery) and whether such a purpose (Strike Lottery) can be included. Now, not only You can make good money from achieving Super Sales Results with the "Uultimate Salesman" Talisman, You can also use the Talisman to seek Lottery (4D /Toto / Lotto / Pick 3 / Pick 4) Numbers by tying around a "Shake Cup" and shake the numbers to strike 1st Prize.
"Ultimate Salesman" Talisman is most suitable for:
1) Shop Owners
2) Car Salesmen
3) Insurance Agents
4) Property Agents
5) Sales Persons stationed in Shops
6) Credit Card Salesmen
7) Commission Earners
8) Folks who intend to become a Sales Person
!!UPDATE!! (12 April 2021)
Due to Client's personal request, the 'Strike Lottery' Talisman on the Ultimate Salesman Talisman (Version 1) is replaced with 'Gods Of Wealth' Talisman and make it Version 2 .
"I would like to get the Ultimate Salesman Talisman .I want to replace the "Lottery Talisman" to "Gods of Wealth Talisman" for online/offline sales, customers, visitors, closing deals, business success, and wealth."- Client N.E. , Singapore
Video of Ultimate Salesman Talisman (Version 2)
Attention:
Folks can order the whole talisman as it is, or request for a change of either one or two of the talismans. Extra Fee might be charged.
Folks can also request to add on more talismans into the main talisman (of talismans), with add-on charges.
Take note that, not all types of main talismans can be changed or added. You may email me (Taoist Sorcery Master - Email:super.kumantong@gmail.com) and discuss about Your issues and then let me customize a Talisman that suit Your needs.
This article is a guide to 2 Proper Methods and 1 Lay Method of Praying during Hungry Ghosts Festival.
For pure Taoists and pure Buddhists and those Western Folks who want to follow the proper methods , You have 2 choices.
The Proper Taoist Method
You should go to a Taoist Temple that worship the San Guan Da Ti (三管大帝). You will join the Priests to recite 8 Important Incantations Of Taoism , "Praise/Invitation Mantra for the Three Lord Emperors of the Three Realms" (三官大帝宝诰), and other Important Taoist Mantras for paying respect to San Guan Da Ti (三管大帝). This is the proper methods for Taoists to pray for prevention of natural disasters, releasing of illnesses and eliminating of all the negative entities.
The Proper Buddhist Method
You should go to a Buddhist Temple and join the Monks to recite several Buddhist Mantras, such as "Ullambana Sutra"(佛说盂兰盆经), Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva Pūrvapraṇidhāna Sūtra (地藏菩萨三愿经), perform the "Food Offering To Hungry Ghosts Ceremony" (慈悲甘露施食儀軌), which includes the chanting of "Gate of Sweet Nectar Dharani" (甘露水真言)and "Transform Food Dharani"(变食真言) and also "Fan Yan Kou"(放焰口) etc. If these mantras aren't chant, food that touches the mouths of Hungry Ghosts will burn into ashes.
The Chinese Folks/Lay Men Method - Interesting and without the hustles of reciting sutras
The grand food offering method - Usually applied on 15th Day of Hungry Ghost Month
Place a table right in front of Your Main Door of Your House / Company / Shop. Display all kinds of meats, canned foods , rice , packet drinks, beers and whatever You think can be a big feasts. Poke a Triangle Flag (with Dragon Image) or one incense stick on each food , representing the food is to be offered to the Wandering Ghosts. After that, place the joss papers and hell bank notes at the side and then light up 2 candles and joss sticks to pray to the "Good Brothers" (wandering ghosts).
The simple food offering method - Usually applied on 1st Day and Last Day of Hungry Ghosts Month
Go to the grass patch outside Your house or near the road junction in the evening or night time. Display the simple food offering on the ground and also place the joss papers and hell bank notes at the side and then light up 2 candles and joss sticks to pray to the "Good Brothers" (wandering ghosts).
Ask 4D Numbers and Burn Joss Papers and Hell Bank Notes
After doing the Grand or Simple Food Offering Method, You can start seeking 4D Numbers with the Shake Cup Method (Bring Along Your Shake Cup) if You want to. After the candles and joss sticks are almost complete burning, You can begin to burn the Joss Papers and Hell Bank Notes to the Wandering Spirits. After that, pack up the Food Offerings and share the food with family members, working colleagues, Business Partners or workers.
1) During Hungry Ghost Festival, do not badmouth (Christians love to do this) in the public and on the street about the bullshit of existence of ghosts and the stupidity of Hungry Ghosts Festival. There are cases that folks who have done that end up with crooked mouth or the leg got swollen and need to seek help from Taoist Master immediately to get rid of the ghostly punishment.
2) Do not curse and swear and intentionally kick the burnt joss papers and food offerings on the ground when You (especially the Christian) don't believe in ghosts and Hungry Ghost Festival.There are real cases that some youngsters (usually the Christians) start to have mental illness and cannot continue their studies. They either end up in Mental Hospital , or they have to lower their pride and seek help immediately from Taoist Master or Tang-Ki (Spirit Medium) in Taoist Temple.
3) Do not sit on the 1st roll of "empty" seats of the makeshift stage (known as 歌台 - Go-Tai). These chairs are reserved for the ghosts. There use to be cases that folks, either being stubborn, skeptical or un-informed, sit down on "empty" seat and later got possessed and pass out. After recovering from the ghostly attack, the victim had to obediently burnt joss papers and do offerings to apologize to the spirit being that has been offended.
4) Address the ghosts as "Good Brothers"(好兄弟), "Uncles" （叔伯） and not "Ghosts"(鬼).
5） If You strike 4D Lottery with the help from the Wandering Ghosts, remember to thank them by going back to the same spot and do another offerings and burn Joss Papers and Hell Bank Notes to them as a form gratitude.
There are Taoist Masters Of The Right Path that discourage You from seeking 4D lottery luck and wealth from the wandering souls, thinking that these wandering souls are already suffering and You will give them more burden for helping You in Striking 4D Lottery. Well.. there is no right or wrong in what they say. They may has a valid point... But then...
Different people have different views and experiences on dabbling in ghostly matters. Being a Taoist Of the Left Path and achieve constant positive experiences with the help from Ghosts ( and also Kumantongs), therefore I am here to teach You How To Strike 4D Lottery During Hungry Ghost Festival. If You dare, follow me...
Let me show You something..
It happened on 19 August 2009, Wednesday , which was the eve of Chinese Hungry Ghosts Festival. Chinese folks were preparing Prayer Materials and Food Offerings since morning until evening and getting ready to welcome the Ghosts from Hell when the clock strike 12 midnight.
Since it was going to be the start of Chinese Hungry Ghosts Festival that night, I met up an old Taoist Sorcery Master, whom I know for a long time since I was still a Kid, in the afternoon for a chat over coffee session. He handed me a "scratch it" 4D Lucky Numbers Card, which he created himself and also empowered with "god of wealth come visiting" talisman at the back of the scratch card. He gave it to me as a gift and said " If You believe in ghosts, You buy the numbers shown after scratching it".
As a Taoist Sorcery Practitioner myself and he is someone I look highly upon and respect him a lot, I 100% believe whatever "magic trick" he does. I scratched the card and went to buy the 4D Lucky Numbers for that day, which was Wednesday and was also a 4D Draw Day.
The 4D Numbers shown on the card was 1007. At night, it came out on Singapore Pools as 0701 - 3rd Prize. I don't have to tell You how much I bet on it and how much I strike. You just think if You already 100% sure that it will confirm strike, how much will You bet on the Numbers?
Many people will jeer at such incidence as PURE LUCK.. Well Look Again...
While checking on Malaysia Magnum 4D , it came out as Direct 1007 - 3rd Prize on the same night. Will You still consider "By Luck" when Singapore side and Malaysia side hit same numbers on 3rd Prize on the same night?
4D Numbers given on the Scratch it card 1007 , means it was 1st day of 7th lunar month (Hungry Ghost Festival). 0701 also means 1st day of 7th month (Hungry Ghost Festival).
So, does it seems eerie and strange to You now? 够邪门吧！
There is no point forcing people to believe that ghosts exist. Whether You believe or not is up to You. If You believe that ghosts exist and ghosts can be Your good friends and help You strike Lottery, continue reading...
How You Can Strike 4D for Yourself on Chinese Hungry Ghost Month?
If You 100% believe that ghosts exist or think that there are even more ghosts on Hungry Ghosts Month and want to seek help from Ghosts , or mutually help each other (or use each other), it is one of the best time to seek 4D numbers during this period.
This is what to do to ask 4D on Ghost Month...
1) The best time to seek 4D Numbers will be at 12am - 1st Day of Chinese Lunar 7th Month, when the hell gates just open.
2) 2nd Best time is 15th Day of Chinese Lunar 7th Month.
3) The 3rd best time is during the end of Hungry Ghost Festival, before the closing of Hell Gates - before 12am of 30th Day of Chinese Lunar 7th Month.
During 1st Day or Last Day of Hungry Ghosts Month, You can do Simple Food Offering Method.
Go to the glass patch outside Your house or near the road junction , best is if You can go to Graveyard if You dare. Display the Simple Food Offering on the ground and also place the joss papers and hell bank notes at the side and then light up 2 candles and joss sticks to pray to the "Good Brothers" (wandering ghosts). While the candles and joss sticks are still burning , kneel down and use the "Shake a Cup for 4D Numbers" Method (Bring Your Shake Cup along) and get Yourself a set of 4D Numbers to buy.
On 15th Day of Hungry Ghosts Month, You can do Grand Food Offering Method.
Place a table right in front of Your Main Door of Your House or Shops / Company / Shop. Display all kinds of meats, canned foods , rice , packet drinks, beers and whatever You think can be a big feasts. Poke a Triangle Flag (with Dragon Image) or one incense stick on each food , representing the food is to be offered to the Wandering Ghosts. After that, place the joss papers and hell bank notes at the side and then light up 2 candles and joss sticks to pray to the "Good Brothers" (wandering ghosts). While the candles and joss sticks are still burning , kneel down and use the "Shake a Cup for 4D Numbers" Method (Bring Your Shake Cup along) and get Yourself a set of 4D Numbers to buy.
Burn Joss Papers and Hell Bank Notes
After
seeking 4D Numbers from the Wandering Spirits and the candles and joss sticks are almost
complete burning, You can begin to burn the Joss Papers and Hell Bank
Notes to them (ghosts). After that, pack up the Food Offerings
and share the food with family members, working colleagues, Business
Partners or workers.
Remember to Thank The Ghosts if You Strike 4D Lottery
When You strike 4D Big Big (if small amount never mind), don't forget to go back to the same spot where You ask 4D and thank the ghost or ghosts whom help You strike 4D, by burning Joss papers , Hell Bank Notes and food offerings once again.
And also don't forget to send Ang Bao or "Token of Appreciation" to the person who shared with You this Secret To Strike 4D On Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival.
Important Note:
Western Folks who want to burn offerings to Ghosts during Chinese Hungry Ghosts Festival for the fun of it or and for the sake to seek their help for Lottery Numbers, but can't get hold of Joss Papers, Hell Bank Notes and Prayer Materials can Email: super.kumantong@gmail.com to buy Standard package of Prayer Offerings for "Wandering Brothers" during Hungry Ghost Month.
The Prayer Offerings Package will be much more expensive than what You buy at Joss Paper Shops, as inside will contain "Secret Ingredients" (example: Strike Lottery Talismans and more) not found anywhere else, to boost up the Strike Lottery Chance.
There are 2 origins to the 7th month Hungry Ghost Festival: The Taoist Origin and Buddhist Origin
Zhong Yuan Jie (中元节) - The Taoist Origin
The Taoist doctrine holds that the three basic elements that generate everything in the universe are heaven, earth and water, namely, "San Yuan(三元)"(three elements), which are also known as "San Guan(三官)" (Three Officials), meaning, the section produced during the flowing process of time and space. They are manifested as the Three Great Official Emperors ( 三官大帝 San Guan Da Di), also known as Officials of Three Realms (三界公 San Jie Gong). Their positions are only second to Great Jade Emperor (玉皇大帝).
Official of Heaven (天官) - Lord Zi Wei (紫微大帝)
The Official of Heaven (天官) named Lord Zi-Wei (紫微大帝) was born on 15th day of 1st Chinese Lunar Month, which is called Shang Yuan Festival(上元节) or Shang Yuan Tian Guang Festival(上元天官节). His Duty is to access the good and bad deeds of heavenly beings and bring blessings to human folks on Earth. Shang Yuan Festival(上元节) is also on the same day as Chinese New Year Lantern Festival (庆元宵).
Earth(地官 - Di Guan) - Lord Qing Xu (清虚大帝)
The Official Of Earth (地官 - Di Guan) named Lord Qingxu (清虚大帝). He was born on 15th day of 7th Chinese Lunar Month, which is called Zhong Yuan Festival (中元节) or Zhong Yuan Di Guan Festival (中元地官节). His duty is to inspect the good and evil deeds of Human Folks on Earth and whether to bring fortune to the worthy person. He may pardon sins on those human folks and those who pass on who did wrong.
Official Of Water(水官 - Sui Guan) - Lord Dong Yin (洞阴大帝)
The Official Of Water(水官 - Sui Guan) named Lord Dongyin (洞阴大帝) was born in 15th Day of 10th Chinese Lunar Month, which is called Xia Yuan Festival (下元节) or Xia Yuan Sui Guan Festival (下元水官节). He is in charge of the matters happening in the nether world, access the good and bad deeds of the spiritual beings waiting for rebirth. His duty also includes dispelling misfortune of human folks on earth.
During these three festivals, the three officials would descend upon earth in their respective festival to execute their duties.
Ulabhama Festival (孟兰盆 节 Yu-Lan-Pen-Jie) - The Buddhist Origin
In the Ullambana Sutra (孟兰盆经), there is a descriptive account of a Buddhist monk named Maudgalyāyana (目犍连), originally a Brahmin youth who later ordained, and later becoming one of the 10 Buddha's chief disciples. Mahāmaudgalyāyana was also known for having clairvoyant powers.
After he attained arhatship, he began to think deeply of his parents, and wondered what happened to them. He used his clairvoyance to see where they were reborn and found his father in the heavenly realms i.e. the realm of the gods. However, his mother had been reborn in a lower realm, known as Avici Hell, or the Realm of Hungry Ghosts. His mother took on the form of a Hungry Ghost (Preta) – so called because it could not eat due to its highly thin and fragile throat in which no food could pass through, yet it was always hungry because it had a fat belly. His mother had been greedy with the money he left her. He had instructed her to kindly host any Buddhist monks that ever came her way, but instead she withheld her kindness and her money. It was for this reason she was reborn in the realm of hungry ghosts.
Maudgalyāyana eased his mother's suffering by receiving the instructions of feeding pretas from the Buddha. The Buddha instructed Maudgalyāyana to place pieces of food on a clean plate, reciting a mantra seven times to bless the food, snap his fingers to call out to the deceased and finally tip the food onto clean ground. By doing so, the preta's hunger would be relieved. Through these merits, his mother was able to be reborn as a dog under the care of a noble family.
Maudgalyāyana then sought the Buddha's advice to help his mother gain a human birth. The Buddha established a day after the traditional summer retreat (the 15th day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar, usually mid-to-late August) on which Maudgalyāyana was to offer food and robes to five hundred bhikkhus. Through the merits created, Maudgalyāyana's mother finally gained a human birth.
Ullambana Festival Festival , the Buddhist version of Hungry Ghost Festival, is the day to emphasize on filial piety. Monks the Buddhist Folks would recite mantras and prepare vegetarian food offering to the Hungry Ghosts (Pretas) and offer prayers to help them in their rebirth to higher realms.
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's Birthy - Last Day of Chinese Ghost Festival
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's Birthday, on 30th of Chinese Lunar 7th Month, which also falls on the last day of Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival, therefore during last day of Hungry Ghost Festival, Chinese Folks of both Taoist and Buddhist Faith pay respect and worship him and seek his help to protect and assist their pass-on parents, family members, relatives and ancestors for better rebirth.
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (地藏王菩萨) is known for his great vow to help beings in all realms to gain enlightenment before he would become a Buddha. He is also tasked to teach the Dharma to all beings during the time between the passing of Gautama Buddha and the arrival of Maitreya Buddha.
Important Note for Buddhists and Non-Buddhists:
Maudgalyāyana (目犍连) is not Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (地藏王菩薩).
Maudgalyāyana (目犍连) has often been mistaken to be Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (地藏王菩薩) , because both were trying to saved their mothers, who were reborn in Hell Realms. The stories may sound similar but they happened at different time and place.
Maudgalyāyana (目犍连) was Gautama Buddha's one of the 10 chief disciples , who attained arhatship. Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (地藏王菩薩) was a Bodhisattva that Gautama Buddha met and had a dialogue with, that took place in Trāyastriṃśa Heaven, while Gautama Buddha was there to expound the Dharma to his mother, Māyādevī.
Zhong Yuan Festival (中元节) Celebration - The Past and Present
On the 15th of 7th Lunar Month the Taoist Priests would perform rites to honor the Manifestation Anniversary or Inspection Day of The Official Of Earth (地官 - Di Guan) and Salvation Rituals for the Passed-on, in-order to assist them to ascend to the Eastern Palace to enjoy the Eternal Joyous and also, to assist a Good Cultivated Person to attain Enlightenment.
On the same day, the Chinese Folks paid respect to their Ancestors, Passed-on Parents, Masters, Teachers, etc. A Month of Festive Period to pay respect and remember the Wise People of the past, who had Positively Influence oneself. It is also a day to remember the importance of Filial Piety.
These days, Zhong Yuan Festival （中元节）is popularly known as Ghost Festival (鬼节) by the Chinese Folks. Chinese Folks offer prayers to their deceased relatives and other wandering ghosts, such as offer food and drink and burn hell bank notes and other forms of joss paper. A large feast is held for the ghosts on the 15th of the seventh month, when people bring food and place them on an offering table to please the ghosts and ward off bad luck.
In some South East Asian countries today, live performances are held and everyone is invited to attend. The first row of seats are always empty as this is where the ghosts sit. In the past, it used to be Chinese operas but these days, the trend has shifted towards pop Chinese music on a makeshift stage.
Although there are some differences in the rituals and beliefs between Buddhist and Taoist, Chinese will participate in both forms of worship and rituals during this period.
Take Note:
1) Ghosts don't only appear on Chinese Lunar 7th Month. They can be anywhere anytime. They are Earth Bound Ghosts and they usually hide at dark corners, without much human disturbances.
2) Ghosts have no time to harm you or disturb You, unless You have offended them and that they may come to You to seek revenge or Payback. Example: Ask for 4D Numbers from the ghost and forgot to do offerings to the ghost after winning a lot of money.
3) Ghosts might come to disturb or harm You when it is under the command and control of a Taoist Sorcerer or any Black Magician of other faith, for revenge purpose or someone has engaged him to destroy You.
Hungry Ghost Festivals Celebrated outside Chinese Communities
Chūgen (中元) - Zhong Yuan Festival (Taoist Version) in Japan
In Japan, Chūgen (中元), also Ochūgen (お中元) was originally an annual event for doing offerings to the ancestral spirits. Now, the tradition has changed to giving gifts to their superiors and acquaintances. It is sometimes considered a Zassetsu in the Japanese calendar.
O-bon - Ullambana Festival (Buddhist Version) in Japan
Obon is a shortened form of Ullambana (Japanese: 于蘭盆會 or 盂蘭盆會, urabon'e). O-bon, or simply Bon, is the Japanese version of the Ghost Festival. It has since been transformed over time into a family reunion holiday during which people from the big cities return to their home towns and visit and clean their ancestors' graves. Many Obon celebrations include a huge carnival with rides, games, and summer festival food like watermelon. The festival ends with Toro Nagashi, or the floating of lanterns. Paper lanterns are illuminated and then floated down rivers symbolically signaling the ancestral spirits' return to the world of the dead. This ceremony usually culminates in a fireworks display.
Tết Trung Nguyên - Hungry Ghost Festival in Vietnam
This festival is viewed as the time for the pardoning of condemned souls who are then released from hell. The "homeless" should be "fed" and appeased with offerings of food. Merits for the living are also earned by the release of birds and fish. The lunar month in which the festival takes place is colloquially known as Tháng Cô Hồn - The month of lonely spirits, and believed to be haunted and particularly unlucky. Influenced by Buddhism, this holiday coincides with Vu Lan，the Vietnamese transliteration for Ullambana. In modern times, Vu Lan is also seen as Mother's Day. People with living mothers would bear a red rose and would give thanks while those without, who can choose to bear a white rose; and attend services to pray for the deceased.
Pchum Ben (Khmer: បុណ្យភ្ជុំបិណ្ឌ; "Ancestors' Day") - Hungry Ghost Festival in Cambodia
Pchum Ben is a 15-day Cambodian religious festival, culminating in celebrations on the 15th day of the tenth month in the Khmer calendar, at the end of the Buddhist lent, Vassa. The day is a time when many Cambodians pay their respects to deceased relatives of up to 7 generations.Monks chant the suttas in Pali language overnight (continuously, without sleeping) in prelude to the gates of hell opening, an event that is presumed to occur once a year, and is linked to the cosmology of King Yama originating in the Pali Canon. During the period of the gates of hell being opened, ghosts of the dead (preta) are presumed to be especially active, and thus food-offerings are made to benefit them, some of these ghosts having the opportunity to end their period of purgation, whereas others are imagined to leave hell temporarily, to then return to endure more suffering; without much explanation, relatives who are not in hell (who are in heaven or otherwise reincarnated) are also generally imagined to benefit from the ceremonies.
The 10 Power Incantations of Taoism (道教十大神咒) shared here are most basic and most important Incantations that most Taoist Sorcery Masters, need to have them memorized by heart and able to chant with ease anytime anywhere when in need of execution. Most of the different Taoist Sects also include these 10 Power Taoist Incantations in their Rituals.
In Taoist Sorcery, Taoist Masters often need to recite several of these 10 Taoist Incantations for:
Personal Spiritual Cleansing
Self Protection against Black Magic , Evil Spirits
During Consecration (Spiritual Empowering) of Deity Statues
While training Taoist Spirit Mediums
Entering and Cleansing of Haunted Places
During Spiritual Warfare (斗法) against other Taoist Sorcerers or Black Magicians of other Faiths
净心神咒： (Incantation for Purifying the Heart)
太上台星。应变无停。驱邪缚魅。保命护身。智慧明净。心神安宁。三魂永久。魄无丧倾。急急如律令。
净口神咒： (Incantation for Purifying the Mouth)
丹朱口神。吐秽除气。舌神正伦。通命养神。罗千齿神。却邪卫真。喉神虎贲。气神引津。心神丹元。令我通真。思神炼液。道气长存。急急如律令。
净身神咒： (Incantation for Purifying the Body)
灵宝天尊。安慰身形。弟子魂魄。五脏玄冥。青龙白虎。队仗纷纷。朱雀玄武。侍卫我身。急急如律令。 安土地神咒： (Incantation for Pacifying the Earth Spirits)
元始安镇。普告万灵。岳渎真官。土地只神。左社右稷。不得妄惊。回向正道。内外澄清。各安方位。备守家庭。太上有命。搜捕邪精。护法神王。保卫诵经。皈依大道。元亨利贞。急急如律令。
净天地神咒： (Incantation for Purifying Heaven and Earth)
天地自然。秽气分散。洞中玄虚。晃朗太元。八方威神。使我自然。灵宝符命。普告九天。乾罗答那。洞光太玄。斩妖缚邪。杀鬼万仟。中山神咒。元始玉文。持诵一遍。却病延年。按行五岳。八海知闻。魔王束手。侍卫我轩。凶秽消散。道气长存。急急如律令。
祝香神咒： (Incantation for Offering of Incense)
道由心学。心假传香。香热玉炉。心存帝前。真灵下盼。仙佩临轩。今生关告。迳达九天。
金光神咒： (Incantation Golden Light)
天地玄宗。万气本根。广修万劫。证吾神通。三界内外。惟道独尊。体有金光。覆映吾身。视之不见。听之不闻。包罗天地。养育群生。诵之万遍。身有光明。三界侍卫。吾帝司迎。万神朝礼。役使雷霆。鬼妖丧胆。精怪亡形。内有霹雳。雷神隐名。洞慧交彻。五气腾腾。金光速现。覆护真人。急急如玉皇光降律令敕。
发豪光神咒： (Incantation of Executing Extreme Bright Light)
本师发豪光，祖师发豪光，七祖仙师发豪光，仙童玉女发豪光，发起豪光炎炎光，发起豪光照分明，一现豪光身来现，二现豪光身来现，三现豪光透升天，神兵火急如律令，急急如律令。
净三业神咒： (Incantation of Purifying Karma of 3 Lives - This Live and Previous 2 Lives)
身中诸内境，三万六千神，动作履行藏，前劫并後业，愿吾身自在，常住三宝中，当於劫坏时，吾神常不灭，诵此真文时，身心口业皆清净，急急如律令。
净坛神咒： (Incantation of Purifying the Altar)
太上说法时，金钟响玉音，百秽藏九地，群魔护骞林，天花散法雨，法鼓震迷沈，诸天赓善哉，金童抚摇琴，愿倾八霞光，普照皈依心，早法大法果，翼侍五云深，急急如律令。
太上三官宝经 (Tai Shan 3 Official Treasures Sutra)
7 of the 10 Power Incantations of Taoism (道教十大神咒), used by Taoist Sorcery Masters, are also recited during Morning Recitation by Taoist Priests in Taoist Temples.
太上三官宝经 (Tai Shan 3 Treasures Scripture) is the popular scripture recited by Taoist Priests early in the morning and also during evening prayer. It is also known as 8 Power Incantations of Taoism (道教八大神咒).
The 8 Power Incantations of Taoism, found in 太上三官宝经 (Tai Shan 3 Treasures Sutra):
净心神咒 (Incantation for Purifying the Heart)
净口神咒 (Incantation for Purifying the Mouth)
净身神咒 (Incantation for Purifying the Body)
安土地神咒 (Incantation for Pacifying the Earth Spirits)
净天地神咒 (Incantation for Purifying Heaven and Earth)
祝香咒 (Incantation for Offering of Incense)
金光神咒 (Incantation Golden Light)
开经偈 (Incantation for Opening Sutras)
开经偈 (Incantation for Opening Sutras) is not included in the 10 Power Incantations of Taoism (道教十大神咒) used by Taoist Sorcery Masters.
This is a praying guide for the Western Folks, who want to understand how the Chinese pray to Taoist Deities and how You can pray in the way You like that suit Your Western Culture.
The Chinese Way Of Praying To Taoist Deities
1) Every morning and evening, light up incense sticks/ cones and then WALK TO THE WINDOW OR DOOR WHICH YOU CAN LOOK UP TO THE SKY and pay respect to GREAT JADE EMPEROR 1ST, after that then walk back to the altar and pray / pay respect and say Your wishes to the Deity or Deities on the Altar.
2) On the 1st and 15th of every Chinese Lunar Month, put 3 small Chinese Tea Cups and pour Chinese Tea into them and do offerings of 1 type of fruits or 3 type of fruits and pray to the Deity or Deities. You CAN EAT the fruits after the Prayer.
3) When the incense sticks are almost finish burning, You can start to burn the proper joss paper /joss money catered to the specific deity / deities. Taoist deities have their own
set of joss paper being offered to them. If You don't know what type of joss papers to be burnt and offered to the deities You are praying to, You can go to Chinese Joss Papers Shop for help. There are different packets of joss papers mixed and match and packed nicely to cater for each and every deities.
CHINESE JOSS PAPERS (金纸)
4) Get hold of the specific Mantra/Mantras or specific chants in English ( if You don't know Chinese) of the particular diety or the deities and understand the teachings of the individual Deities. Recite the Mantra or read the teachings of the diety or deities when You have the time while facing the Deity/Deities. If You don't have the time or not interested in Chanting, at least You must know the teaching of the particular deity/dieties.
5) Find out the celebration day (Birthday / The Day of enlightenment etc) of each and every individual deities on the Altar You are praying to. Do offerings and burn joss/paper money to the deity / deities like how You do on every 1st and 15th of every Lunar Month.
Guide For The Western Folks
For Western Folks, You might have difficulty to obtain joss papers in Your country. You may check out whether there are Chinese Joss Paper Shops in China-Town.
If Joss Papers are not available, You may want to Email the owner of this Blog for help.
However, You do not need to follow exactly the way how Chinese pray to Taoist Deities. The above is just a general guide on how the Chinese pray.
Example ... When Hindus pray to Chinese Deities, they will use burning lamp (Indian Style) and rotate around the Chinese Deity Statues and ring the bell while chanting with Hindu Mantra. When Chinese pray to Hindu Deities, they will use 3 joss sticks to pray to them.
Most importantly, the Taoist Deity Statues on the altar MUST BE CONSECRATED.
If not, You must at least have Your Taoist Altar spiritually-empowered with a Special Multi-Purpose Talisman - The "36 Heavenly Warriors" Talismans.
Other than that, what matter most is Your Heart, Mind and Soul in Your trust, faith and believe that the deities have the power to protect You and bring Your prosperity.
How You will like to decorate Your Altar is up to Your own liking.
TAOISM never force anyone to follow exactly the "Standard Way Of Praying". Deities/ Gods / Saints of different faith are allowed to be placed together and then blend into Your own Culture and pray the way You feel comfortable with.
Most Western Folks and the Chinese Folks who migrated to Western Countries, plus also the Filipino Chinese, often place the non-consecrated Deity Statues onto their Taoist Altars. Taoist Altar, without Consecrated Deity Statues, is only good to look at and has no spiritual power and no spiritual protection.
You might not want to replace the Unconsecrated Deity Statues with consecrated ones.
There is a simple remedy to "spiritually activate" the whole altar immediately and that is to frame up and hang a piece of Multi-Purpose "36 Heavenly Warriors" Talisman on the Altar.
Activate a Taoist Altar with "36 Heavenly Warriors" Talisman
The only setback is once the "36 Heavenly Warriors" Talisman is taken out from the Taoist Altar, it become spiritually powerless again. The Taoist Altar is solely depending on the Talisman to empower the Altar.
"36 Heavenly Warriors" Talismans
a.k.a Protection All In one Talisman
"36 Heavenly Warriors" Talisman is more than just a Talisman to activate a Taoist Altar.
Have You been told by Self-Proclaimed Feng-Shui "Gurus" to buy their Feng-Shui Artifacts?
Have You already bought Feng-Shui Artifacts?
Are You praying to unconsecrated Taoist/Chinese Deities or Buddha Statues/Figurines/Images?
Are You planning to buy Taoist/Chinese Deities or Buddha Statues/Figurines/Images to pray to?
“Eye-Opening” Ceremony - 开光点眼 (Consecration of Deity Statues)
An “eye-opening” ceremony - 开光点眼 (Consecration of Deity Statues ) is performed either by a Taoist priest or directly from the Deity ( while in trance of a Taoist Medium) on newly carved sculptures of deities to endow them with spiritual properties.
Cinnabar - a burnt red colored ore of mercury which is considered holy and eliminates evil influences
Blood from a white rooster’s cockscomb - white roosters symbolize nobility, power and reverence, white symbolizes purity, and cockscombs symbolizes supremacy, and the blood of a cockscomb symbolizes the supreme life
Different Taoist Sects have slightly different ways of consecrating Deity Statues. Generally, a Taoist master, or a diety (while in-trance of spirit medium) may:
1) Use a blush to collect the blood from a white rooster’s cockscomb (by cutting the rooster’s cockscomb with a ritual sword) or just use the cinnabar and dot specific parts of the deity statue, while chanting consecration incantation and burning of talismans.
Use a blush to collect the blood from a white rooster’s cockscomb
2) Mix Cinnabar with blood from a white rooster’s cockscomb. The mixture of Cinnabar and blood of rooster will then be used for dotting process.
Mix Cinnabar with blood from a white rooster’s cockscomb
3) Insert "5 treasures" and some cases, include life insects (usually hornets) into the deity statue and then dot specific parts of the deity statue with the blood from a white rooster’s cockscomb or just cinnabar, while chanting consecration incantation and burning of talismans. Hornets are mainly inserted into Warrior Deity Statues only.
Insert "5 treasures" and life hornets into the deity statue
4) Will only use the cinnabar to dot specific parts of the deity statue, while chanting consecration incantation and burning of talismans, without using the blood from white cock's crown and no inserting insects or sacred ingredients into the statue.
Only use the cinnabar to dot specific parts of the deity statue
IMPORTANT:
In
order to be blessed and be protected by Taoist/Buddhist Deities or call
upon the spiritual power of deity to protect Your house or office from
dark energy or black magic and to improve luck or to ask Lottery (Pick 3
/ Pick 4/ Lotto ) Numbers, the Taoist/Buddhist Deity Statues You pray
to must have been consecrated by a Taoist Master.
Many
Western Folks were told by the Caucasian Feng-Shui "Gurus" or even
English-Educated Know-Nothing-But-Act-Guru Chinese FengShui "Masters" to
buy their Feng Shui Artifacts, which have not been consecrated.
When
Your Taoist /Buddhist Deity Statues/Figurines/Images have not been
consecrated, You are praying to empty shells. Worse still, if You have
been lighting up joss sticks or incense sticks and make offerings to a
Taoist/Buddhist Deity Statue, which has not been consecrated before, it
may has already been resided by a malevolent spirit.
Unconsecrated
Taoist /Buddhist Deity Statues/Figurines/Images are just empty shells
which are only good to make Your House/Office look like a Chinese
Restaurant. These "Empty Shells" will not protect Your Home/office and
will not help in improving the Feng-Shui Energy of Your Home/Office.
Many
Self-Proclaimed Caucasians and Chinese Feng-Shui "Masters" in the West
sell You Feng-Shui Artifacts to make a lot of Money for themselves but
never even know the importance of pumping spiritual energy of particular
selected deity into the statues/figurines/artifacts/images.
For Buddhist Folks:
1)
If You are self-cultivating in Buddhist Teaching and looking upon the
Buddha/Bodhisattva Statue as a form of reminder to concentrate on
personal cultivation, then Your Buddha/Bodhisattva Statue need no
consecration. You can just let the Statue be an "Empty Shell".
2)
If You are expecting the Spiritual Power of Buddha/Bodhisattva to come
and protect You and look after the house, protect from bad energy and
such, then the Buddha/Bodhisattva Statue must be consecrated.
For Taoist Folks:
Being
a Taoist, the Deity statues/figurines/artifacts/images must be
consecrated. If You are practicing Taoist-Sorcery or Taoist Talisman
Drawings or doing Taoist Magic, You need to call upon the power
of the particular Deity , which in order to do so, the Deity
statues/figurines/artifacts/images must be consecrated.
WARNING:
Once
the Deity statues/figurines/artifacts/images have been consecrated, it
is no more an ordinary artifact, it contains the spiritual power of that
particular deity. You must treat the stuff with respect, placing it on
altar and not to throw around house/office.
What to do now?
You may ..
1) Change the unconsecrated Deity Statues to consecrated ones
2) Bring Your unconsecrated Deity Statues to a Taoist Master or Taoist Temple for Consecration
3) Frame and Hang the "36 Heavenly Warriors" Talisman to immediately "activate" Your Taoist Altar
Day by day, more and more Western Folks are getting interested to learn more about Taoism, or already proclaim to be a Taoist and want to set up a Taoist Altar at home, or set it in his own Tai Chi / Chinese Martial Art Training Hall.
This Article is to teach the Western Folks, who are planning to start praying to Taoist Deities, or already praying but not sure whether they have set up the Taoist Altar correctly.
Most Western Folks and the Chinese Folks who migrated to Western Countries, plus also the Filipino Chinese, often place the non-consecrated Deity Statues onto their Taoist Altars.
1st of all, let's see how Altar of non-consecrated Taoist Deities look like... Taoist Altar - with non-consecrated Deity Statues
Most Western Folks and the Chinese Folks who migrated to Western Countries, plus also the Filipino Chinese often end up with this type of Taoist Altar , which is non spiritually empowered (non-consecrated) deity statues. There is nothing wrong in setting up this type of Taoist Altar, but it is only good to look at and has no spiritual power and no spiritual protection. This type of altar is good for You to sit near or next to it while reading some Taoist Books, listen to Taoist Music and appreciate Tao.
Taoist Altar - with consecrated Deity Statues
Taoist Altar is spiritually-empowered only when the Deity Statues are consecrated. Spiritually-empowered Taoist Altar is a must have for Folks who want to have his home to be blessed by the Deities. Only spiritually empowered Taoist Altar can protect the family from Evil Spirits, get rid of Black Magic Attack and bring prosperity and wealth into home, office and business.
Before You set up Your Taoist Altar, make sure the Taoist Deity Statues are consecrated. A Taoist Altar, without consecrated Deity Statues, is only good to look at but has no spiritual power and no spiritual protection. Before You learn about how to set up a Taoist Altar...
Check out how Taoist Deity Statues are consecrated:
1) Heavenly Deities must always be placed together in Odd Numbers - 1 deity, 3 deities , 5 deities etc. Praying to Hell Deities, can be in Even Numbers, example: Tua Ya Peh and Di Yah Peh are always worshiped together. Place the Deity or Deities in the middle of Altar. If intend to pray to Heavenly Deities and also Hell Deities , separate them apart. The Heavenly Deities on Top and Hell Deities below the Altar or Hell Deities can also be on Your Right Hand Side.
2) Lighting Stands or Lamps (shape like candles) are placed on each end , left and right on the Altar. And should be switched on 24hrs every day. When home / office lights are switched off, the Lights from the Lamps on the Altar are still brightly shining.
3) Incense Urn will be placed right in front and middle of the altar. When You are facing the Altar, make sure the Incense Urn does not cover the bodies and faces of the Deity Statues. If the incense urn will cover the view of bodies and faces of Deity Statues, add a wooden block below the Deity Statue to lift up above the incense urn.
4) For praying to Deities in Taoist Way, using of joss sticks must be in odd numbers. 1 joss stick, 3 joss sticks , 5 joss sticks... 3 joss sticks are the norm. For Buddhist way, a small incense urn can be used to contain the circular shape incense sticks or incense cones.
Activate Your Taoist Altar - With "36 Heavenly Warriors" Talisman
Most Western Folks and the Chinese Folks who migrated to Western Countries, plus also the Filipino Chinese often end up with a Taoist Altar full of non-consecrated Deities Statues. You may want to replace them with consecrated ones. - Consecration of Taoist Deity Statues
Chinese folks in South-East-Asia ( Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand) can bring their non-consecrated to a Taoist Master or Taoist Temple to have Your non-consecrated Deity Statues to go through consecration ceremony. You may have to pay a fee for consecration service by a Taoist Master, or , if You get it done by a Deity ( while in trance of a Taoist Medium) in the temple, You may just give donation in any amount You like.
If You are not intending to replace the unconsecrated Taoist deity statues with new consecrated ones, there is a simple remedy to "spiritually activate" the whole altar immediately and that is to frame up and hang a piece of Multi-Purpose "36 Heavenly Warriors" Talisman on the Altar.
Most Western Folks, who are interested in Taoism and want to understand more about Taoist Ritual , have never heard and never seen a Taoist Black Command Flag (黑令旗) before, until they read this article.
Many Chinese Folks who visit a Taoist Temple might have seen the Taoist Black Command Flag but do not know the meaning and purpose of it.
This article will explain the importance and usage of Taoist Black Command Flag.
In Taiwan, there are many different types of Taoist Black Command Flags used in temples.
Taoist Black Command Flag needs to be spiritually activated(开光) before it has spiritual power, or else, it is just a piece of cloth. The Taoist Black Flag has the power to invite Deities and summon celestial army for assistance. Wandering Spirits happen to see the Black Taoist Flag will run helter-skelter.
The most common Taoist Black Command Flag is a black color flag with just a Pre-Heaven Ba-Gua ( 八卦 - Eight Trigrams) symbol printed on it. It may look simple but it has tremendous spiritual power to command and control spirit beings. This simple design Bagua on Black Flag is the Taoist Black Flag often seen in Taoist Temples in Singapore, Malaysia , Indonesia and Thailand.
Common usages of Taoist Black Command Flag:
To invite/ask the Deity for help
When a Taoist Black Command Flag is seen placed in front of a Taoist temple, it often means that there is Tang-Ki Worship going on. Whenever there is a need to summon deities to the temple for Spirit Medium Possession , the Taoist Black Command Flag must be present right in front of the temple.
For Cleansing/Purifying & Clearing the Way for the Deity
When a Deity (possessed by a Taoist Medium) is on a tour of inspection, every places that pass by the Deity is first cleansed by the Black Command Flag, by swaying it along the path to expel the evil spirits to prevent them from interfering.
Support and Protect the Spirit Medium while performing Body Piercing or self-mortification
When spirit mediums are performing body piercing or self-mortification with sharp poles,skewers or swords, Taoist Black Command Flags are often seen raise up facing the Spirit Mediums to protect their bodies from getting injured while doing the act of self-mortification.
Used during exorcism
Taoist Black Command Flags are carried by Taoist Exorcist or Taoist Medium during exorcism. The black bagua flag has the power to command celestial soldiers to come forward to punish evil spirits.
WARNING:
If You intend to own a Taoist Command Flag （黑令旗）, You'd better know what You are doing.
If You just want to keep it as a keepsake or souvenir , get one that is not consecrated, so that You can bring out to appreciate it anytime You want.
If You are already trained in any path of sorcery or witchcraft, You may get a consecrated one, in order to invite Taoist deities and command and control ghosts/spirits.Consecrated Taoist Command Flag is a spiritual tool and need to place it on the Altar when not in use.
This article is written to educate the kids and adult folks who are interested in Onmyodo and dreaming of learning it. It is to tell the truth where it originates. This is for the purpose of "Remember the source of water when You are drinking it" (饮水思源).
There are kids and adults from the west and even Englished-educated , westernized Chinese , who are very anti-China and anti-Chinese and very pro-Japan and later they found out all the Ofuda (御札 or お札o-fuda, a charm) / Omamori ((お守り or 御守 - A portable form of o-fuda) contains Chinese Characters written on them and start to question whether they are produced in China and then desperately searching fruitlessly for Japanese Talismans written in Japanese Language.
This article is also to Give credit where credit is due. So next time when You see and hear Onmyodo, You will always remember - "This is Taoist Magic, Taoist Divination and Taoist Metaphysics of the Ancient Chinese".
The beginning of Onmyodo in Japan
In the 5th and 6th centuries, the principles of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements were transmitted to Japan from China via the Korean Peninsula, along with Buddhism and Confucianism.
While elements of both 'Religious Taoism' and at a later date, 'Philosophical Taoism' have had an unmistakable influence on Japanese religion, Taoism as a distinct, institutional tradition, never really gained a following amongst the Japanese people.
However, beliefs concerning the 'Taoist Immortals' and Taoist Paradises were 'adopted-in' to various streams of Japanese folk belief and mythology, along with Taoist mystical and medicinal practices.
Jugondo (呪禁道)
Jugondo (呪禁道) was concerned with issues such as the vanquishing of monsters; curing of disease; freeing people, places and objects from possession by spirits (evil or otherwise); dispersing of apparitions, etc.
A highly ritualistic discipline, it incorporated Chinese medical practices, Taoist spells and charms, magic invocations, and forms of hypnosis to induce mystical states in the practitioner. In these altered states, Jugondo practitioners would undertake feats such as fire-walking and pouring boiling water in their bare skin without harm.
Onmyōdō (陰陽道)
Onmyōdō (陰陽道 - （日文：おんみょうどう） also In'yōdō, lit. ‘The Way of Yin and Yang’) is a traditional Japanese esoteric cosmology, a mixture of natural science and occultism. It is based on the Chinese philosophies of Wu Xing and Yin and Yang. It was accepted as a practical system of divination. These practices were influenced further by Taoism, Buddhism and Shintoism, and evolved into the system of onmyōdō around the late 7th century. Onmyōdō was under the control of the imperial government, and later its courtiers, the Tsuchimikado family until the middle of the 19th century, at which point it became prohibited as superstition it was under control of the imperial government, and then later its courtiers, the Tsuchimikado family. The restrictions have been lifted, and as of 2006 anyone may study onmyōdō.
Yin-yang and the Five Elements, as well as the divisions of learning to which they were linked – astronomy, calendar-making, the reckoning of time, divination, and studies based on observation of nature – were amalgamated into fortune telling. This process of judging auspicious or harmful signs present in the natural world was accepted into Japanese society as a technique for predicting good or bad fortune in the human world. Such techniques were known mostly by Buddhist monks from mainland Asia who were knowledgeable in reading and writing Chinese. Over time demand from members of the imperial court who believed that onmyōdō divination would be helpful in decision-making made it necessary for the laity to perform the art, and onmyōji began to appear around the middle of the 7th century.
With the implementation of the ritsuryo system law codes in the 7th and 8th centuries, yin-yang techniques were put under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Onmyō (陰陽寮 Onmyō-ryō) in the Nakatsukasa-shō of the Imperial bureaucracy. The Bureau of Onmyō was responsible for overseeing the divinations of Onmyōdō, astrological observations, and the creation of calendars. Also, by law the Buddhist clergy was forbidden to practice astrology and fortune-telling; hence, government-controlled onmyōji came to monopolize the practice.
From the Heian period onward, as the ritsuryo system relaxed and the Fujiwara family rose to power, the society of the Imperial court took on a more formal shape, and adherence to rituals to placate the souls of the dead (御霊信仰 Goryō Shinkō) to combat the creation of vengeful ghosts (怨霊 onryō) burgeoned. Because onmyōji displayed methods that were believed to avert disasters with their skills of divination and magic, the practice afforded onmyōji influence over the personal lives of the Emperor and the nobility of the court. Consequently, popular awareness of onmyōdō gradually spread from court society to Japanese society as a whole, strengthening its development into a characteristically Japanese art.
Onmyōdō merged with other beliefs and occultism, and evolved from imported Chinese thought into a syncretism found only in Japan. Japanese Onmyōdō took in elements from Taoism (道教), which was transmitted to Japan at the same time as Onmyodo, including magical elements such as katatagae, monoimi, henbai, and ceremonies to Taoistic gods such as the Taizan Fukunsai. Elements of feng shui and the medical art of jukondō were incorporated as well, and as onmyōdō and Japanese Shinto mutually influenced each other, Onmyodo grew more distinctive. From the end of the 8th century onward, it was influenced by the magical elements of esoteric Buddhism and the Indian-derived astrology (Sukuyōdō - 宿曜占星術, a type of Indian Astrology based on the xiuyao jing 宿曜經) that were transmitted with it.
Onmyōji (陰陽師)
Onmyōji (陰陽師, also In'yōji) was one of the classifications of civil servants belonging to the Bureau of Onmyō in ancient Japan's ritsuryo system. People with this title were professional practitioners of onmyōdō.
Onmyōji were specialists in magic and divination. Their court responsibilities ranged from tasks such as keeping track of the calendar, to mystical duties such as divination and protection of the capital from evil spirits. They could divine auspicious or harmful influences in the earth, and were instrumental in the moving of capitals. It is said that an onmyōji could also summon and control shikigami.
Famous onmyōji include Kamo no Yasunori and Abe no Seimei (921–1005). After Seimei's death the emperor had a shrine erected at his home in Kyoto.
Onmyōji had political clout during the Heian period, but in later times when the imperial court fell into decline, their state patronage was lost completely. In modern day Japan onmyōji are defined as a type of Shinto priest, and although there are many that claim to be mediums and spiritualists, the onmyōji continues to be a hallmark occult figure.
Abe no Seimei (安倍晴明)
Seimei's life is well recorded in Japan History. Immediately after his death, however, legends arose. Many legends of Seimei were originally written in the Konjaku Monogatarishu, and by the Edo period there were many stories in circulation that focused on his heroic acts.
Abe no Seimei was a descendant of the poet Abe no Nakamaro and a disciple of Kamo no Tadayuki (賀茂忠行) and Kamo no Yasunori (茂賀保憲), 10th-century diviners of the Heian court. He became Kamo no Yasunori's successor in astrology and divination, while Yasunori's son took on the lesser responsibility of devising the calendar.Seimei's duties included analyzing strange events, conducting exorcisms, warding against evil spirits, and performing various rites of geomancy. He was said to be especially skilled in divining the sex of fetuses and finding lost objects. According to the Konjaku Monogatarishu, he correctly predicted the abdication of Emperor Kazan based on his observation of celestial phenomena.
Seimei's reputation grew sufficiently that, from the late 10th century, the Onmyōryō, the government ministry of onmyōdō, was controlled by the Abe clan. The Kamo clan likewise became the hereditary keepers of the calendar.
The mystical symbol of the equidistant five-pointed star, referred to in the West as a pentagram, is known in Japan as the Seiman or the Seal of Abe no Seimei.
According to legend, Abe no Seimei was not entirely human. His father, Abe no Yasuna, was human, but his mother, Kuzunoha, was a kitsune (a "fox spirit"). At a very early age, no later than five, he was allegedly able to command weak oni to do his bidding. His mother entrusted Seimei to Kamo no Tadayuki so that he would live a proper human life and not become evil himself.
The Heian period, especially the time when Seimei lived, was a time of peace. Many of his legends revolve around a series of magical battles with a rival, Ashiya Doman, who often tried to embarrass Seimei so that he could usurp his position. One noted story involved Doman and the young Seimei in a divination duel to reveal the contents of a particular box. Doman had another person put fifteen mandarin oranges into the box and "divined" that there were fifteen oranges in it. Seimei saw through the ruse, transformed the oranges into rats, and stated that fifteen rats were in the box. When the rats were revealed, Doman was shocked and defeated.
Seimei is involved in numerous other tales as well. He appears as a minor character in the Heike Monogatari and is said to be responsible for divining the location of the Shuten-dōji, a powerful oni purportedly slain by Minamoto no Yorimitsu.He is sometimes said to be the onmyōji who discovered Tamamo no Mae's true nature, although the time of the Tamamo no Mae story does not coincide with Seimei's lifetime; other sources credit the act to a descendant, Abe no Yasuchika.
Abe no Seimei wrote 2 books: Senji Ryakketsu (占事略决) and Kinugyokutoshū (金烏玉兎集) , both are written in Kanji , Chinese Characters.
Senji Ryakketsu (占事略决)
Senji Ryakketsu (占事略决, lit. The Summary to Judgements of Divinations) is one of the texts written by Abe no Seimei.
The text contains thirty-six chapters (36 fortune-telling techniques) and total of nine thousands Chinese Characters. Many of these divinations relate to normal daily lives such as determining the gender of an unborn child, finding lost or missing objects, and advice on how to lead one's personal life.
Kinugyokutoshū (金烏玉兎集)
Kinugyokutoshū (金烏玉兎集/三国相伝陰陽輨轄簠簋内伝金烏玉兎集, "The book of the golden crow and the jade rabbit") is the most important book of Onmyodo. To the Chinese, it is also known as "簠簋袖衷傳".
The saying of "金乌玉兔"(Golden Crow , Jade Rabbit) was written in the book Huai Nan Zi (淮南子) , one of the Ancient Chinese Philosophical Classic.
The title "金烏玉兎集" has hidden meaing. 金烏 - Golden Crow (or 3 legged crow), means the Sun. 玉兎 - Jade Rabbit , means the Moon. From this explanation, they represent The Yin and The Yang, therefore the hidden meaning of Kinugyokutoshū "金烏玉兎集" is "The Book of Yin and Yang".
Seal of Abe no Seimei (晴明紋)
"Seimei Kikyō" is a pentagram used by Abe no Seimei as the symbol of the Onmyoryo (Bureau of Taoist Geomancy) associated with the Five Chinese Elements - Metal , Wood, Water, Fire, Earth.
Shikigami(式神) - Divine Spirits in Onmyodo
Shikigami (式神 or しきがみ、しきじん, also read as Shiki-no-kami, 式の神) in Japanese means a kind of divine spirits from Japanese folklore. The belief of shikigami originates from Onmyōdō.
Abe no Seimei is often depicted with one or more shikigami, or servant spirits. Men of great spiritual power could call upon the aid of spirits to serve them. Seimei is often depicted with twelve shikigami （十二式神).
The 12 Shikigami （十二式神) found in Onmyodo is exactly the same 12 Divine Heavenly Spirits (十二天將) found in 六壬神课 （Liu Ren Shen Ke - The Liu Ren Divination Method) - one of the Chinese metaphysics.
In Onmyodo, Shikigami are said to be invisible most of the time, but they can be made visible by banning them into small, folded and artfully cut paper manikins. There are also shikigami that can show themselves as animals or birds. They must be conjured during a complex ceremony and their power is connected to the spiritual force of their master. If the evoker is well introduced and has lots of experience, his Shiki can possess animals and even people and manipulate them. But if the evoker is careless, his shikigami may get out of control in time, gaining its own will and consciousness. In this case the shikigami will raid its own master and kill him in revenge. Normally shikigami are conjured to exercise risky orders for their masters, such as spying around, stealing and enemy tracking
Divination Method in Onmyodo
Divination methods used in Onmydo is known as rikujin-shikisen (六壬式占). It is actually Da Liu Ren (大六壬), one of the Chinese Divination methods.
Shikisen was widely used by practitioners of Onmyōdō in the Nara period until the mid-sixteenth century where it was replaced by ekisen (易占) - 易经 (Book of Changes).
Ofuda (御札 or お札) / Omamori (お守り or 御守)
Ofuda (御札 or お札 or おふだ - o-fuda, a charm) is a type of household amulet or talisman hung in the house for protection. It is to protect the family in residence from general harm, such as a disease. A more specific ofuda may be placed near particular objects such as one for kitchen to protect from accidental fire.
Omamori ((お守り or 御守) is a portable form of Ofuda, typically given out wrapped in a small bag made of decorated cloth. Omamori are often spotted on bags, hung on cellphone straps, in cars, etc.
Omamori have changed over the years from being made mostly of paper and/or wood to being made out all types of materials nowadays (i.e. bumper decals, bicycle reflectors, credit cards, etc.). Modern commercialism has also taken over a small part of the creations of omamori. Usually this happens when more popular shrines and temples cannot keep up with the high demand for certain charms. They then turn to factories to manufacture the omamori. However, priests have been known to complain about the quality and authenticity of the product these factories produce.
There are modern commercial versions for these that are typically not spiritual in nature and are not issued by a shrine or temple. They do not confer protection or need to be replaced every year. It has become popular for stores in Japan to feature generic omamori with popular characters such as Mickey Mouse, Hello Kitty, Snoopy, Kewpie, etc.
Ofuda and Omamori must be written in Cloud Script or Chinese Characters. Only Cloud Script and Chinese Characters can be used in Oriental Talismans (Chinese, Japan, Korea). Modern Languages cannot be used in Talismans, which will not bring any spiritual power. Japanese and Koreans Spiritual Masters know this as well.
Using Chinese Characters in Ofuda does not mean they are made in China, but because they are needed to be used in Talisman Writing.
Taijou Shinsen Chintaku Reifu (太上神仙鎮宅霊符)
The most well known talismans found in Onmyodo are a collection of 72 talismans called in Japanese the taijou shinsen chintaku reifu 太上神仙鎮宅霊符 (meaning "Numinous Talismans of the Highest Spirit Immortal for Tranquilizing the Household").
These talismans are actually the Taoist Talismans known as "Tai Shang Lao Jun Zhen Zhai Qi Shi Er Ling Fu" (太上老君镇宅七十二灵符) .
These 72 talismans protect people from misfortunes, such as warding the curses of a ghost who committed suicide, protecting household from misfortunes such as illness, robbery, reduction of assets, etc, and preventing various other misfortunes caused by evil spirits.
Kuji-In (九字印) and Kuji-kiri(九字切り) in Onmoyodo
The Nine Syllable Seals and the Nine Symbolic Cuts are also among Onmyodo techniques. The kuji are first introduced in the Taoist text Baopuzi (抱朴子) a book written by Ge Hong c.280-340 ADE).
In it he introduces the kuji in chapter 17 titled DengShe/登涉 (Climbing [mountains] and crossing rivers) as a prayer to the six Jia (generals of yang), ancient Taoist gods. in Daoist Magic, the Chia Spirit Generals are powerful celestial guardians and part of Tammon-Ten's (Vaiśravaṇa), The God of the North, Celestial Thunder Court.
The Taoist Nine Syllables are combined with "Qi Men Dun Jia" (奇门遁甲) ( One of the Three China's highest metaphysical arts) and become known as Four Vertical Five Horizontal Cuts (奇门四纵五横法). Since ancient time, the Taoists use it to seek safety and to make their wishes come true.
Many kids and adults from the west, who learn Ninjutsu, will learn about the Kuji (九字) but don't know where the original source comes from. Many people mistook Kuji (九字) was created by the Ninjas in Japan.
There is nothing wrong to learn Japanese Version of Kuji but You must at least know where the original source come from.
Kōshin (庚申)
Kōshin (庚申) is a folk faith in Japan with Chinese Taoist origins. In Taoism, it is know as Shou Geng Shen (守庚申) - "Observe the Metal Monkey".
A typical event related to the faith is called Kōshin-kō (庚申講), held on the Kōshin days that occur every 60 days in accordance with the sexagenary cycles calendar, when people gather and meet, staying up all night in order to prevent from the Sanshi (三尸) worms inspect themselves.
In the 9th century, Kōshin (庚申) had been already practiced at least by aristocrats. It is called Kōshin-Machi (庚申待 - Kōshin Waiting). During the early years this custom became a kind of overnight festivity or party.
In the Muromachi period, Buddhist monks started to write about the Kōshin, which led to wider popularity of the faith among public. Numerous monuments or pillars called Kōshin-tō (庚申塔) (or also Kōshin-zuka (庚申塚) were erected all over the country and the faith remained very popular through the Edo period. When the Meiji Government issued the Shinto and Buddhism Separation Order in 1872, folk beliefs were turned down as superstitious, Kōshin belief too losing popularity as a result.
Today, the Kōshin belief still survives, although it is far less popular and receives smaller recognition than once it did, due to the absence of any central organization to help promote such faith because of its folkloric nature. While many Kōshin-tō were moved, for example, to inside Buddhist temples or even to private houses to be protected, there are many remaining along historical roads as well. There are also well maintained Kōshin-dō (庚申堂), built in respect for the Kōshin, sometimes attached to Buddhist temples, or otherwise in stand-alone.
The main Kōshin belief that survived from an original complex faith, is the concept that three worms, called Sanshi, (三尸) live in everyone's body. The Sanshi keep track of the good deeds and particularly the bad deeds of the person they inhabit. On the night called Kōshin-Machi (which happens each 60 days), while the person sleeps, the sanshis leave the body and go to Ten-Tei (天帝), the Heavenly god, to report about the deeds of that person. Ten-Tei will then decide to punish bad people making them ill, shortening their time alive and in extreme cases putting an end to their lives. Believers of Kōshin will try to live a life without bad deeds, but those who have reason to fear will try to stay awake during Kōshin nights, as the only way to prevent the Sanshi from leaving the body and reporting to Ten-Tei.
In the Edo period, Kōshin-Machi became more popular in other levels of society and with commoners, and the festivities took more the character of a belief. It was at that time that deities started to appear within the faith. One was Shōmen-Kongō, a fearsome blue faced deity with many arms.
Shōmen-Kongō became Kōshin-san when people expected this demon to make the Sanshis themselves ill and prevent them going to Ten-Tei. Shōmen-Kongō is not really a god but a demon who can send illnesses.
Three monkeys covering eyes, mouth and ears with their hands are the best known symbols of Kōshin faith. They are Mizaru (not see), Iwazaru (not say) and Kikazaru (not hear). It is not very clear why the three monkeys became part of Kōshin belief, but is assumed that it is because like the monkeys, the Sanshis and Ten-Tei are not to see, hear, or tell the bad deeds of a person.
Statues of Shōmen-Kongō with the three monkeys have existed in temples and shrines since the Edo era. Sometimes carved stones called Kōshin-tō were placed around a dwelling for protection. Such stones can present diverse forms, from having only Chinese characters (kanji) to including a depiction of Shōmen- Kongō with one, two or three monkeys.
Other custom of the Kōshin belief are the use of paper scrolls also showing Kōshin-san and the monkeys which are displayed on Kōshin-machi, the Kōshin night. Those who keep this tradition invite neighbours, friends and relatives and sit in front of a provisory altar which has a bowl of rice, soup, seasonal fruit, flowers, candles and incense sticks. They also hang scrolls with pictures of Shōmen-Kongō. Everyone will try to stay awake through the whole night.
Onmyodo in Modern Japan
After Seimei's death the emperor had a shrine, the Seimei shrine, erected at the location of his home. The original shrine was destroyed in war during the fifteenth century, but it was rebuilt in the same location and still stands today.
Over the centuries, the various arts and practices of onmyodo gradually became absorbed into Shinto and Buddhist tradition, and also into the disciplines of the shugenja, and other ascetic groups, to the point where onmyodo - as a distinct tradition in it's own right - to all intents and purposes ceased to exist.
Today, there are many Japanese Cartoons and Japanese Comics showing the magical power of Onmyodo and Onmyoji , therefore kids and adults around the world are getting interested to understand and research on Japanese Magic and Spells, which indirectly, will lead the Western Folks to learn about Taoist Sorcery, Taoist Talismans and Taoist Metaphysics.
