1. Temple Ritual Explanation (with Demonstration) By Pamela Jones

2. What is a Ritual? A ritual is a series of actions that help us to transform from one emotional state to another …morning rituals getting ready for the day …after work rituals (change clothes, snack) …dressing for a date …preparing dinner (wash hands, open frig) …getting ready for bed (locking doors, lights out)

3. What is a Ritual? The ultimate purpose of temple ritual is the realization of our Soul Nature (enlightenment) The ultimate purpose of temple ritual is the realization of our Soul Nature (enlightenment) It is important to note that the images or statues on the altar are symbols and not idols (it’s important to note that we are not idolizing the statues, we emulate the eternal essence/spirit that each of them represents) It is important to note that the images or statues on the altar are symbols and not idols (it’s important to note that we are not idolizing the statues, we emulate the eternal essence/spirit that each of them represents)

4. Maitreya Buddha (Spirit of Happiness)

5. Guan-Yi Buddha (Spirit of Compassion)

7. Je-Gong Buddha (Spirit of Freedom/Salvation)

8. General Quan (Spirit of Righteousness)

9. Master Lu (Spirit of Justice)

10. Why Have Rituals? Having a ritual is one way for us to demonstrate our respect to God and the holy spirits Having a ritual is one way for us to demonstrate our respect to God and the holy spirits Every spiritual tradition have particular rituals that are handed down through generations Every spiritual tradition have particular rituals that are handed down through generations The ritual that we practice here is from the Taoist tradition of Chou Dynasty (1,000 BC) during the time of Confucius and Lao-Tse The ritual that we practice here is from the Taoist tradition of Chou Dynasty (1,000 BC) during the time of Confucius and Lao-Tse

11. Why Have Images? It is important to note that the images or statues on the altar are symbols and not idols (i.e. Maitreya Buddha is the symbol and the embodiment of happiness) It is important to note that the images or statues on the altar are symbols and not idols (i.e. Maitreya Buddha is the symbol and the embodiment of happiness) Altar images are focuses…reminders Altar images are focuses…reminders Where our attention goes our energy flows Where our attention goes our energy flows

12. How Do Rituals Help? The rituals of Tao have many intrinsic spiritual benefits When one bows from the heart, it is an act of humility (humility overcomes Ego) When one bows from the heart, it is an act of humility (humility overcomes Ego) “Humility” is an essential virtue for the practice of Tao and it is the most beneficial spiritual state according to I-Ching (by being humble, one will always receive) “Humility” is an essential virtue for the practice of Tao and it is the most beneficial spiritual state according to I-Ching (by being humble, one will always receive) By bowing, we also honor the virtues of our Teachers, Elders, predecessors and Ancestors By bowing, we also honor the virtues of our Teachers, Elders, predecessors and Ancestors

13. Ritual Demonstration Now we will begin Ritual Demonstration Now we will begin Ritual Demonstration First hold the Third Treasure in front of your chest—this is called the Starting Position First hold the Third Treasure in front of your chest—this is called the Starting Position Next, Standing Bow: Next, Standing Bow: Raise the hands toward the First Treasure then bend the hip naturally toward the 90 degree position and allow the hands to reach the knees Raise the hands toward the First Treasure then bend the hip naturally toward the 90 degree position and allow the hands to reach the knees Then restore the body to the upright position and allow the hands to reach the First Treasure Then restore the body to the upright position and allow the hands to reach the First Treasure Finally, bring the hands back to the chest and restore to Starting Position Finally, bring the hands back to the chest and restore to Starting Position

14. Ritual Demonstration of Kneeling Next, Kneeling (this ritual component is different between male and female): Next, Kneeling (this ritual component is different between male and female): Kneeling for male: Kneeling for male: Take a step forward with the left leg Take a step forward with the left leg Press both hands onto the left knee (while still holding the Third Treasure) Press both hands onto the left knee (while still holding the Third Treasure) Kneel down the right knee Kneel down the right knee Simultaneously, bring the hands back to the chest and kneel down the left knee Simultaneously, bring the hands back to the chest and kneel down the left knee

15. Ritual Demonstration of Kneeling Kneeling for Female: Kneeling for Female: Take a step forward with the left leg Take a step forward with the left leg Separate the hands and press the left hand onto the left knee and press the right hand onto the right upper corner of the pad Separate the hands and press the left hand onto the left knee and press the right hand onto the right upper corner of the pad Kneel down the right knee Kneel down the right knee Simultaneously, bring both hands back to the chest (forming the Third Treasure) and kneel down the left knee Simultaneously, bring both hands back to the chest (forming the Third Treasure) and kneel down the left knee

16. Ritual Demonstration of Bowing Next, Bowing: Next, Bowing: Raise the hands to the First Treasure Raise the hands to the First Treasure Press the hands down onto the pad (with palms down), while still holding the Third Treasure Press the hands down onto the pad (with palms down), while still holding the Third Treasure Support the weight of the body on the back and bow with up and down motions Support the weight of the body on the back and bow with up and down motions Bow according to the instruction from the Left Ritual Master and the hands should touch down with every pronunciation of “bow” Bow according to the instruction from the Left Ritual Master and the hands should touch down with every pronunciation of “bow”

17. Ritual Demonstration of Bowing Bowing: Bowing: Visualize the loop within the central meridian and allow the energy to flow in circular motions Visualize the loop within the central meridian and allow the energy to flow in circular motions

18. Ritual Demonstration of Standing Up After Keeling Next, Stand (reverse the action of kneeling): Next, Stand (reverse the action of kneeling): Stand for Male: Stand for Male: Bring hands to the chest Bring hands to the chest Take a step with the left leg Take a step with the left leg Press both hands onto the left knee, while still holding the Third Treasure Press both hands onto the left knee, while still holding the Third Treasure Simultaneously, stand up and bring the hands to the chests, restoring to Starting Position Simultaneously, stand up and bring the hands to the chests, restoring to Starting Position

19. Ritual Demonstration of Standing Up After Keeling Stand for Female: Stand for Female: Bring hands to the chest Bring hands to the chest Take a step forward with the left leg Take a step forward with the left leg Separate the hands and press left hand onto the left knee and press the right hand on the upper right corner of the pad Separate the hands and press left hand onto the left knee and press the right hand on the upper right corner of the pad Simultaneously, stand up and bring the hands to the front of the chest, forming Starting Position Simultaneously, stand up and bring the hands to the front of the chest, forming Starting Position

20. Ritual Demonstration of 90 Degree Bow Next, Standing Bow—this is the same Standing Bow as before Next, Standing Bow—this is the same Standing Bow as before Finally, Release Hands and Bow Again: Finally, Release Hands and Bow Again: Release the Third Treasure and bring both hands to the sides of the thighs Release the Third Treasure and bring both hands to the sides of the thighs Bow toward the 90 degree position then bring the body to upright position Bow toward the 90 degree position then bring the body to upright position

21. Towel Delivery Demonstration It is a routine step when you enter the temple to Dharma meeting or any other temple services. It’s not only for the cleaning hands, it’s also a symbolic gesture of releasing worldly dusts when entering the temple.

22. Temple Rituals Male and female should stand or be seated separately on different sides of the temple Male and female should stand or be seated separately on different sides of the temple Order of taking a kneeling pad: Order of taking a kneeling pad: Seniors or members who received Tao earlier should take a prior position Seniors or members who received Tao earlier should take a prior position Altar 12 456 3

23. Demonstration

24. Demonstration

25. Demonstration

26. Demonstration

27. Demonstration

28. Ritual Etiquette Every member should do an Entrance and an Exit Ritual when entering and leaving the temple Every member should do an Entrance and an Exit Ritual when entering and leaving the temple

29. Entrance/Exit Ritual God God Saints of All Heavens Saints of All Heavens Maitreya Buddha (embodiment of Happiness) Maitreya Buddha (embodiment of Happiness) Guan Yin Buddha (embodiment of Compassion) Guan Yin Buddha (embodiment of Compassion) Ji-Gong Buddha (embodies of Freedom/Salvation) Ji-Gong Buddha (embodies of Freedom/Salvation) Yueh Huay Bodhisattva (embodiment of the feminine) Yueh Huay Bodhisattva (embodiment of the feminine) Father Teacher Father Teacher Mother Teacher Mother Teacher

30. Entrance/Exit Ritual Father Teacher Father Teacher 18 th Patriarch 18 th Patriarch Mother Teacher Mother Teacher 18 th Matriarch Transmission Master Transmission Master Sponsor/Guarantor Sponsor/Guarantor Everyone Present Everyone Present

31. Ritual Etiquette The very last bow of Entrance/Exit ritual is for “Everyone Present”, so everyone who’s not bowing at the altar should do a Standing Bow in reciprocation The very last bow of Entrance/Exit ritual is for “Everyone Present”, so everyone who’s not bowing at the altar should do a Standing Bow in reciprocation

32. Ritual Etiquette When a person is doing the ritual, everybody else present should stand up When a person is doing the ritual, everybody else present should stand up If the group is already in session (or eating) then the member should quietly do three standing bows in place of the ritual If the group is already in session (or eating) then the member should quietly do three standing bows in place of the ritual

33. Ritual Etiquette The details of the Entrance and Exit Ritual are in our handbook (we are encouraged to commit the order and number of bows to memory) The details of the Entrance and Exit Ritual are in our handbook (we are encouraged to commit the order and number of bows to memory)

34. Temple Etiquette Appropriate attire Appropriate attire No sandals or slippers (remove open-toe footwear when bowing) No sandals or slippers (remove open-toe footwear when bowing) No t-shirt or shorts (during any service) No t-shirt or shorts (during any service) When possible wear white on top and blue or black on bottom When possible wear white on top and blue or black on bottom Appropriate demeanor …Do not horse around Appropriate demeanor …Do not horse around …Guardian spirits are always present, be respectful …Guardian spirits are always present, be respectful …acknowledge the sacredness of temple space …acknowledge the sacredness of temple space …honor the sacredness of temple space and of grace …honor the sacredness of temple space and of grace

35. Temple Etiquette Dining Etiquette: Grace: raise our plate or bowl to eye level before starting the meal Grace: raise our plate or bowl to eye level before starting the meal Do not waste any food (take what you can eat and finish your food completely)—or take unfinished food home Do not waste any food (take what you can eat and finish your food completely)—or take unfinished food home Wasting food in the temple sends a terrible message of ungratefulness to God and diminishes our fortune Wasting food in the temple sends a terrible message of ungratefulness to God and diminishes our fortune Avoid bringing fish, meat, garlic, onion, cigarette and alcohol into the temple (matters of foul essence) Avoid bringing fish, meat, garlic, onion, cigarette and alcohol into the temple (matters of foul essence)

36. Temple Etiquette-Dharma Meeting Dharma Meeting is a meeting of great sacredness with great number of the holy spirits present Dharma Meeting is a meeting of great sacredness with great number of the holy spirits present …Do not abandon this precious meeting (no matter what …Do not abandon this precious meeting (no matter what worldly trials exists, stay until the completion of the two- day meeting) …Do not interrupt the lecture (do not speak amongst …Do not interrupt the lecture (do not speak amongst each other and save the questions till the end of the lecture or after the lecture) …Sit in upright position (relax shoulders, upright the …Sit in upright position (relax shoulders, upright the spine and plant both feet on the ground) …Try to stay awake (this may be hard for some …Try to stay awake (this may be hard for some lectures or time of day, but please do your best)

37. The Bottom Line Temple ritual and its following etiquette serve as our guide posts for the cultivation and practice of Tao Temple ritual and its following etiquette serve as our guide posts for the cultivation and practice of Tao Simple etiquette such as greeting and the handing of a hand towel demonstrates mutual respect and fosters a positive spiritual environment for the temple (serving one another, holding one another in high regard) Simple etiquette such as greeting and the handing of a hand towel demonstrates mutual respect and fosters a positive spiritual environment for the temple (serving one another, holding one another in high regard)

38. It Takes A Village…. It takes everyone’s effort to make our temple a place of true spirituality It takes everyone’s effort to make our temple a place of true spirituality Our efforts toward that end are most appreciated Our efforts toward that end are most appreciated

39. Questions?