The Plague-Cutting Five Thearchs Rites 太上三五傍救醮五帝断瘟仪

Author unknown.

It is believed to date from the Tang or Song Dynasty.

Consisting of one scroll, it is included in the Dongshen Section (Divine Grotto Section) of the Daozang under the category of Rituals and Ceremonies.

This text describes the ritual in which Taoist priests offer sacrifices to the Five Emperors on behalf of people to subdue plague ghosts. It states that when a family encounters natural disasters and misfortunes, or its members suffer from goiters and boils, these calamities are all caused by the Five Emperors deities guarding the area around the residence failing to protect humans, as well as the mischief of plague ghosts. A favorable date can be chosen to prepare ritual implements, and Taoist priests can be invited to offer sacrifices to the Five Emperors.

The methods of the sacrifice include rituals such as entering the altar to purify defilements, igniting the ritual furnace, reciting incantations, offering incense, wine and tea, and chanting Taoist hymns.