Why is "Keyi" (Ritual Ceremonies) a Core Symbol of Taoism? What Core Content Does It Include?
I
"Keyi" is a commonly used term in Taoism. Historically, it has been used to generally refer to Taoist scriptures, precepts, norms, rituals, and related practices.
From the perspective of understanding and studying Taoism, what defines Taoism as Taoism lies not only in its systematic doctrines and beliefs but also in its specific religious forms. The so-called "Keyi" is a generalization of all aspects of these religious forms.
Terms with the same or similar meanings as "Keyi" include Kejiao (Ritual Teachings), Kefan (Ritual Norms), Kejie (Ritual Precepts), Kelü (Ritual Disciplines), and Yigui (Ritual Codes). Among these, "Keyi" best encapsulates the corresponding Taoist ritual content, which is why this term is adopted.
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II
The Zhengyi Sect excels in FU (Taoist talismans), LU (Taoist registers of deities), and Jiao (grand ritual ceremonies), hence it is commonly known as the "FU-LU Sect" (Talisman-Register Sect) among people. Its religious activities mainly focus on tasks such as eliminating disasters and misfortunes, curing illnesses and warding off plagues, praying for peace, and delivering the souls of the deceased. The FU-LU Sect was widespread among the people and active both in folk society and at the imperial court.
III
The Zhengyi Sect has a vast array of "Keyi" rituals, which can be roughly divided into two major categories: Yangshi (Rituals for the Living, focused on the mortal world) and Yinshi (Rituals for the Deceased, focused on the spirit world). Depending on the needs of the patron (the person commissioning the ritual), these ceremonies also vary in specification and scale. The highest-specification and largest-scale ritual is known as "Guojiao" (Imperial Grand Ritual).
Yangjiao (Rituals for the Living)
Including: Qing Shui (Invoking Sacred Water), An Jian Zhai (Consecrating the Ritual Altar), Chuandi (Transmitting Ritual Messages), Fazou (Submitting Memorials to Deities), Qishi (Paying Respect to Masters), Yangfan (Raising Ritual Flags), Guabang (Hanging Ritual Notices), An Jian Men (Consecrating the Ritual Gate), An Jian Tan (Consecrating the Ritual Platform), Fendeng (Distributing Ritual Lamps), Jingtan Kaiguang (Purifying the Altar and Consecrating Sacred Objects), Yingluan Jiejia (Welcoming the Arrival of Deities), Kaiqi (Initiating the Ritual), Touci (Submitting Petitions), Suqi (Evening Ritual Preparation), Can She Sanbang (Joining the Ritual Assembly and Announcing Notices), Baidou (Worshipping the Big Dipper), Gaoxie (Announcing a Ritual Pause), Zaochao (Morning Audience with Deities), Wuchao (Noon Audience with Deities), Libai Yuhuang (Worshipping the Jade Emperor), Sanyuan Fachan (Repentance Ritual for the Three Yuan Festivals), Linwan Pudu (Evening Salvation Ritual), Baibiao (Submitting Formal Memorials), Songjing (Reciting Scriptures), Jietan (Concluding the Ritual Altar), Shoubang (Taking Down Ritual Notices), and Yuanman Songsheng (Completing the Ritual and Seeing Deities Off).
Yinjiao (Rituals for the Deceased)
Including: Qing Shui (Invoking Sacred Water), Lingbao Jilian (Lingbao Salvation Ritual for the Deceased), An Jian Zhai (Consecrating the Ritual Altar), Anlong Dianshi (Pacifying Dragons and Honoring the Earth), Chuandi (Transmitting Ritual Messages), Fazou (Submitting Memorials to Deities), Qishi (Paying Respect to Masters), Yangfan (Raising Ritual Flags), Guabang (Hanging Ritual Notices), Fendeng (Distributing Ritual Lamps), Jingtan (Purifying the Altar), Yingluan Jiejia (Welcoming the Arrival of Deities), Kaiqi Touci (Initiating the Ritual and Submitting Petitions), Suqi (Evening Ritual Preparation), and Can She (Joining the Ritual Assembly) — these 15 segments follow the same procedures as Yangjiao but differ in content. Other segments include: Lingbao Jilian (Lingbao Salvation Ritual for the Deceased), Zhaowang (Summoning the Deceased Souls), Songjing (Reciting Scriptures), Guandeng (Extinguishing Ritual Lamps), Poyu (Breaking Open the Underworld Prisons), Gaoxie (Announcing a Ritual Pause), Sanchao (Three Sessions of Audience with Deities), Zhuandu Ren (Transferring Salvation to the Deceased), Bai Jiuyou Chan (Repentance Ritual for the Nine Underworlds), Yinwang Chaocan (Guiding the Deceased to Pay Respect to Deities), Jiangjing Shuofa (Preaching Scriptures and Expounding the Dharma), Wanli Jingzan (Concluding Rituals with Scriptural Hymns), Pudu Shishi (Salvation Ritual with Alms-Giving to Spirits), Gaoxie Anfeng (Announcing a Pause and Enshrining the Deceased), Qiqing Shangdui (Inviting Deities for Dialogue), Baibiao (Submitting Formal Memorials), Songjing (Reciting Scriptures), Jietan Xieshi (Concluding the Ritual and Thanking the Masters), Jifu (Sacrificing to Husbands), Jianxian (Paying Respect to Ancestors), Jietie Huacai Xiaoji Tangu (Concluding Rituals, Burning Offerings, and Comforting Lonely Spirits), Fang Hedeng Yuanman Songsheng (Releasing River Lanterns, Completing the Ritual, and Seeing Deities Off), and Tianshen Fanjia (Sending Deities Back to Heaven).
