The Half-Day Penance Rite FULL NAME IS
The Ritual of the Lingbao Ban Jing Retreat
Author unknown.
It refers to the Jade Emperor as "the Supreme Ultimate Dao, the True Jade Emperor," suggesting it dates from the Tang Dynasty. Compiled into one scroll, it is included in the Dongxuan Section (Mysterious Grotto Section) of the Daozang under the category of Rituals and Ceremonies.
The Ban Jing Retreat (Half-Day Retreat) is a simplified Taoist ritual lasting only half a day—"Ban Jing" refers to the period from dawn to noon. This retreat method among the various Lingbao rituals is already mentioned in the Tang Dynasty Taoist text Record of Fast and Retreat.
This work records the ritual procedures for performing the Ban Jing Retreat at dawn, mid-morning, and the Si hour (9 a.m.–11 a.m.). The three sessions follow roughly the same format, focusing primarily on reciting prayers and repenting to deities in all directions.
It is claimed that practicing this retreat can repent for the sins of the retreat host’s entire family and the spirits of their ancestors, pray for blessings and protection from sages and immortals, dispel disasters and misfortunes, ensure the safety of relatives, and bring prosperity to the clan—all in line with the Taoist pursuit of aligning with the Dao.
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