Page 640 - The Encyclopedia of Taoism v1_A-L

598 THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TAOISM A-L

*Hetu and Luoshu), arranged in the same pattern also found in the *Shangqing
huangshu guodu yi.
Isabelle ROBINET

m Kohn 1993b, 35-43 (part. trans.); Schafer 1997 (trans.)
* Laozi and Laojun; COSMOGONY

kaitong minglu

Opening a Road in the Darkness

Opening a Road in the Darkness is a rite performed to summon the spirit of
the deceased from the underworld to the altar. In Taiwan, it forms the opening
part of the ritual of Merit (*gongde). The priest "opens the light" (*kaiguang)
of the statuette of the deceased and waves the Banner for Summoning the
Celestial Soul (zhaohunfan i{ i!U1J10 to call his soul. The deceased is purified,
and a pardon is sought for him after his repentance (*chanhui). This is followed
by obeisances paid to each of the Three Clarities (*sanqing).
An important part of this process is the lighting of lamps to illuminate
the underworld. The statuette of the deceased is placed in front of the Three
Clarities on the altar. The priest stands facing the statuette and sets fire to a
mandate he holds in his hand. Before the fire dies out, he drops the burning
paper into a basin of water at his feet. This is repeated three times. The priest
then declares that the way to the underworld has been opened, and that the
deceased has pledged allegiance to the Teaching of the Way (*OAO]IAO), and
leads him to the heavenly realm.
ASANO Haruji
III Lagerwey 1987C, 195-201; Ofuchi Ninji 1983, 472-76; Schipper 1989b,
128-37
* gongde