Practice of the Tao Receiving Ceremony ( I ) ( Ritual Preparations )

Essence of I-Kuan Tao Lineage of Tao Tao is the Truth 道真 Principle is the Truth 理真 Heavenly Decree is the Truth 天命真 The Holy Teachers’ heavenly mandate 明師 The Three Treasures 三寶

Tao is unspeakable Respect Carry out Tao that is within us.. Maintain the sincerity & harmony in our heart Carry out the modest behaviors through the rituals. Respect The Heavenly Mater, The “Truth” of Universe - Tao. The Holy Spirits (Buddhas, Sages & Saints) The “True Buddha Nature” within ourselves. All living beings.

Terminologies 點傳師 diǎn chuán shī Transmit Master 引師 yǐn shī Introducer 保師 bǎo shī Guarantor 上執禮 shàng zhí lǐ Primary Ritualist 下執禮 xià zhí lǐ Secondary Ritualist 求道人qiú  dào rén Person who is going to receive Tao

Terminologies 母燈 mǔ dēng Holy Lamp ( center ) Middle lamp representing the light of Heavenly Mater 兩儀燈 liǎng yí dēng Holy Lamps Two lower front/sides lamps as Ying & Yang 八卦爐 bā guà lú Incense Burner 龍天表 lóng tiān biǎo Heavenly Document 拜墊 bài diàn Kneeling pad 供茶 gōng chá Offering tea

Terminologies 獻供禮 xiàn gong li – Offering ritual 請壇禮 qǐng tán li – Invocation ritual 排檀香 pái  tán xiāng – arrange sandalwood incense 發爐 fā lú – burning incense burner 傳合同 chuán  hé tóng – transmit holy hand sign 作揖 zuò yī – half circle bowing (holding holy hand sign/unification) 跪 guì - kneel

Meaning of Zuoyi / Bow Humble our heart harmonize our mind – inner peace Self-reflection – practice of cultivation Mediate our mind, body & soul between the motion & silence

Zuoyi / Bow Zuoyi means the following "bowing" procedure: First hold the Unification on your chest and bring your hands to the Gate; then, while still holding the Unification, extend it out while bending your body until your hands have reached the knee. This results in a half-circle motion. Then go back on the same motion in a half-circle manner, bringing your body back up to a standing position. while holding the Unification, place your hands on the kneeling pad and position your head about one fist's distance above lift up the hands from the kneeling pad and place them back down. Your head should also follow your hands' motions by moving from the waist, not from the neck.

Tao Receiving Ceremony Registration Preparations Introduction to Tao Offering Ritual Invocation Ritual Transmit Three Treasures Review of Three Treasures Conclude

Participants 1 facilitator for the ceremony Primary ritualist and Secondary ritualist (same gender) 5 people for offering ritual / invocation ritual (no. is flexible) 1 person for offering towel to transmitting master (same gender) Registrar Tao Transmitting Master Tao receiver Introducer/guarantor (same gender) Female/female Male/male

Registration As the Persons to Receive Tao arrive, offer towels to them to ask them to clean their hands, and then lead them inside the temple to pay respect to God and the Holy Spirits. Introducer should make sure the person agrees to receive the Tao before bringing him or her into the temple to register. Print legibly on the Registration Form. The Introducer should assist the Person to Receive Tao in filling out the Form and make sure every part is completed. Introducer is responsible for explaining the meaning of the merit fee. It is not appropriate for the temple staff to explain the merit fee.

Registration The Introducer should explain that the merit fee is an once a lifetime fee to show the person's sincerity to receive Tao, and that the merit fee is to do charity work on behalf of the person, and that the merit fee has nothing to do with any of the temple staff. The registrar should not place the merit fee on the table but instead should collect the merit fees together and place them in a safe place. The registrar and the Introducer should not thank the person (as the money is not for them), instead they should say, "Your merits are boundless" or "Congratulations." The registrar should collect all the merit fees together, clearly count the amount of the money, and give all merit fees to the Transmitting Master.

Preparation-Documents Registration document Name ( no nickname, no husband’s last night ) Gender: Male, Female, Boy and Girl (< 16 yrs old ) Merit fee Introducer Guarantor Heavenly document Date (lunar calendar), Time Location (address, name of the temple) Names of our Patriarch Chang, Matriarch Sun Introducer, Guarantor Name of new Tao member(s) & merit fee

Holy Teachers’ Name 師尊 道號 姓 張上光下璧 師母 道號 姓 孫上慧下明 Patriach Zhang, given name as Kuisheng, also called Guangbi 師尊 道號 姓 張上光下璧 Matriach Sun, given name Mingshan, also called Huiming 師母 道號 姓 孫上慧下明

Notable Rules for Being Introducer and Guarantor Immediate family members cannot be Introducer or Guarantor for each other. One cannot be an Introducer or Guarantor for a relative of an older generation. Introducer and Guarantor must be of the same gender. Introducer guarantees the Person to Receive Tao is a good person worthy of Tao. Guarantor guarantees that the Tao is true, and Principles are true, and the Divine Authority is true.

Preparation-Fruit Offering Preparing offering fruits: < 10 people – 5 plates of fruits =>10 people -10 plates of fruits/cookies/candies Organizing fruits – 1, 3, 5…odd number ( normally ) One should be have a sincere and respectful attitude in picking out the fruits or foods for offerings. Select good quality of fruit Apples are needed for the new Tao members

Preparation-Fruit Offering Only vegetarian food or cookies ( no eggs, no garlic, no onion..) If anything is dropped to the ground, avoid using it. Remove all the labels or tags Pre-arrange the offerings so that they will look neat and orderly on the altar. Normally offer five plates in a row. After five plates, offer the next plate in a new row. Label or marking of packaging - facing altar

Preparation-Tea Offering If the Tao receiving ceremony is in the morning, there is no need to change tea/water. If the ceremony is in the afternoon, then we will need to change the tea/water for Ming Ming Shangdi. shang qing (right side): Hot water xia zhuo (left side): Tea

Preparation-Tea Offering This is called, "上清 shang qing, 下濁 xia zhuo" or purity above and turbid below. It is a symbolism for Heaven, who is both empty and manifesting. When making the offering, remember to raise the cup at the level of the eyebrows to show respect. Also remember to open the top using the left hand to let some steam out; show our sincerity of offering tea to the holy spirits.

Preparation-Altar Clean Altar Make sure the lamp oils are filled Sandalwood Incense Arrangement Preparation for the heat incense burner Set the transmitting incense (long one) on the altar Vase for the long incense Kneeling pads arrangement

Heat the Incense Burner Start heating the incense burner about 10-15 minutes before the Offering Ritual is to start. Push the incense ash aside in the middle of the incense burner for about 2 inches in depth. Add incense powder in the middle of the incense burner. Mix the powder with the ash. Lightly flatten the ashes in the incense burner. Do not press down. Take 3-5 long incenses and light them. Use a pair of tweezers to break off the lit portions and insert them vertically into the middle part of the incense burner (where the powder mix is). Repeat until you feel the burner is warm.

Sandalwood Incense Offering 3 4 1 2 5 3 1 2

Sandal Wood Incense Sticks Offering Ritual: 3 Invocation Ritual: 5 3 – 3 – 3 ( 1,2,3 – 4,5,6 – 7,8,9 ) Introducer/Gurantor: Male representative: 3 Female representative: 3 New Tao Receiver: Male representative : 3 Female representative : 3 Note: please use left hand for the sandalwood incense offering; lift up the incense to the forehead first and then put the incense in.

Position of Kneeling Pad Offering Ritual 3 1 2 5 4 Make bow to the holy spirits when facing the altar

Position of Kneeling Pad Invocation Ritual 3 1 2 6 4 5 Make bow when facing the altar Step back and let the predecessor pass Go behind the predecessor

Offering Towel to Tao Transmitting Master Before the Transmitting Master offer the incense. After the Transmitting Master offer the incense. After the Transmitting Master stands at the side of the altar. After the Transmitting Master transmits Tao to the gentlemen. After the Transmitting Master transmits Tao to the ladies.