Temple Ritual Temple Ritual ExplanationExplanation

(with (with Demonstration)Demonstration)

ByByPamela JonesPamela Jones

What is a Ritual?What is a Ritual?

A ritual is a series of actions that help us to A ritual is a series of actions that help us to transform from one emotional state to transform from one emotional state to anotheranother

……morning rituals getting ready for the daymorning rituals getting ready for the day

……after work rituals (change clothes, snack)after work rituals (change clothes, snack)

……dressing for a datedressing for a date

……preparing dinner (wash hands, open frig)preparing dinner (wash hands, open frig)

……getting ready for bed (locking doors, getting ready for bed (locking doors, lights out)lights out)

What is a Ritual?What is a Ritual?

The ultimate purpose of temple ritual is the The ultimate purpose of temple ritual is the realization of our Soul Nature realization of our Soul Nature (enlightenment)(enlightenment)

It is important to note that the images or It is important to note that the images or statues on the altar are statues on the altar are symbolssymbols and not and not idols (it’s important to note that we are not idols (it’s important to note that we are not idolizing the statues, we emulate the idolizing the statues, we emulate the eternal essence/spirit that each of them eternal essence/spirit that each of them represents)represents)

Maitreya BuddhaMaitreya Buddha(Spirit of Happiness)(Spirit of Happiness)

Guan-Yi BuddhaGuan-Yi Buddha(Spirit of Compassion)(Spirit of Compassion)

Guan-Yi BuddhaGuan-Yi Buddha(Spirit of Compassion)(Spirit of Compassion)

Je-Gong BuddhaJe-Gong Buddha(Spirit of (Spirit of

Freedom/Salvation)Freedom/Salvation)

General QuanGeneral Quan(Spirit of Righteousness)(Spirit of Righteousness)

Master LuMaster Lu(Spirit of Justice)(Spirit of Justice)

Why Have Rituals?Why Have Rituals? Having a ritual is one way for us to Having a ritual is one way for us to

demonstrate our respect to God and the holy demonstrate our respect to God and the holy spiritsspirits

Every spiritual tradition have particular Every spiritual tradition have particular rituals that are handed down through rituals that are handed down through generations generations

The ritual that we practice here is from the The ritual that we practice here is from the Taoist tradition of Chou Dynasty (1,000 BC) Taoist tradition of Chou Dynasty (1,000 BC) during the time of Confucius and Lao-Tseduring the time of Confucius and Lao-Tse

Why Have Images?Why Have Images?

It is important to note that the images or It is important to note that the images or statues on the altar are statues on the altar are symbolssymbols and not and not idols (i.e. Maitreya Buddha is the symbol idols (i.e. Maitreya Buddha is the symbol and the embodiment of happiness)and the embodiment of happiness)

Altar images are focuses…remindersAltar images are focuses…reminders

Where our attention goes our energy Where our attention goes our energy flowsflows

How Do Rituals Help?How Do Rituals Help?

The rituals of Tao have many intrinsic The rituals of Tao have many intrinsic spiritual benefitsspiritual benefits

When one bows from the heart, it is an act When one bows from the heart, it is an act of humility (humility overcomes Ego)of humility (humility overcomes Ego)

““HumilityHumility”” is an essential virtue for the is an essential virtue for the practice of Tao and it is the most beneficial practice of Tao and it is the most beneficial spiritual state according to I-Ching (by spiritual state according to I-Ching (by being humble, one will always receive)being humble, one will always receive)

By bowing, we also honor the virtues of By bowing, we also honor the virtues of our Teachers, Elders, predecessors and our Teachers, Elders, predecessors and AncestorsAncestors

Ritual DemonstrationRitual Demonstration Now we will begin Ritual DemonstrationNow we will begin Ritual Demonstration First hold the Third Treasure in front of First hold the Third Treasure in front of

your chest—this is called the Starting your chest—this is called the Starting PositionPosition

Next, Standing Bow: Next, Standing Bow: Raise the hands toward the First Treasure then Raise the hands toward the First Treasure then

bend the hip naturally toward the 90 degree bend the hip naturally toward the 90 degree position and allow the hands to reach the kneesposition and allow the hands to reach the knees

Then restore the body to the upright position Then restore the body to the upright position and allow the hands to reach the First Treasureand allow the hands to reach the First Treasure

Finally, bring the hands back to the chest and Finally, bring the hands back to the chest and restore to Starting Positionrestore to Starting Position

Ritual Demonstration of Ritual Demonstration of KneelingKneeling

Next, Kneeling (this ritual Next, Kneeling (this ritual component is different between male component is different between male and female):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 Press both hands onto the left knee

(while still holding the Third Treasure)(while still holding the Third Treasure) Kneel down the right knee Kneel down the right knee Simultaneously, bring the hands back to Simultaneously, bring the hands back to

the chest and kneel down the left knee the chest and kneel down the left knee

Ritual Demonstration of Ritual Demonstration of KneelingKneeling

Kneeling for Female:Kneeling for Female: Take a step forward with the left legTake a step forward with the left leg Separate the hands and press the left Separate the hands and press the left

hand onto the left knee and press the hand onto the left knee and press the right hand onto the right upper corner of right hand onto the right upper corner of the padthe pad

Kneel down the right kneeKneel down the right knee Simultaneously, bring both hands back to Simultaneously, bring both hands back to

the chest (forming the Third Treasure) the chest (forming the Third Treasure) and kneel down the left kneeand kneel down the left knee

Ritual Demonstration of Ritual Demonstration of BowingBowing

Next, Bowing:Next, Bowing: Raise the hands to the First TreasureRaise the hands to the First Treasure

Press the hands down onto the pad (with Press the hands down onto the pad (with palms down), while still holding the Third palms down), while still holding the Third TreasureTreasure

Support the weight of the body on the back Support the weight of the body on the back and bow with up and down motionsand bow with up and down motions

Bow according to the instruction from the Bow according to the instruction from the Left Ritual Master and the hands should Left Ritual Master and the hands should touch down with every pronunciation of touch down with every pronunciation of ““bowbow””

Ritual Demonstration of Ritual Demonstration of BowingBowing

Bowing:Bowing:

Visualize the loop within the central Visualize the loop within the central meridian and allow the energy to flow in meridian and allow the energy to flow in circular motions circular motions

Ritual Demonstration Ritual Demonstration of Standing Up After of Standing Up After

KeelingKeeling Next, Stand (reverse the action of Next, Stand (reverse the action of

kneeling):kneeling): Stand for Male:Stand for Male:

Bring hands to the chestBring 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 Press both hands onto the left knee, while

still holding the Third Treasurestill holding the Third Treasure Simultaneously, stand up and bring the Simultaneously, stand up and bring the

hands to the chests, restoring to Starting hands to the chests, restoring to Starting PositionPosition

Ritual DemonstrationRitual Demonstration of Standing Up After of Standing Up After

KeelingKeeling Stand for Female:Stand for Female:

Bring hands to the chest Bring hands to the chest Take a step forward with the left legTake a step forward with the left leg Separate the hands and press left hand Separate the hands and press left hand

onto the left knee and press the right onto the left knee and press the right hand on the upper right corner of the hand on the upper right corner of the padpad

Simultaneously, stand up and bring the Simultaneously, stand up and bring the hands to the front of the chest, forming hands to the front of the chest, forming Starting PositionStarting Position

Ritual Demonstration ofRitual Demonstration of90 Degree Bow90 Degree Bow

Next, Standing Bow—this is the Next, Standing Bow—this is the same Standing Bow as beforesame Standing Bow as before

Finally, Release Hands and Bow Finally, Release Hands and Bow Again:Again: Release the Third Treasure and bring Release the Third Treasure and bring

both hands to the sides of the thighsboth hands to the sides of the thighs Bow toward the 90 degree position then Bow toward the 90 degree position then

bring the body to upright positionbring the body to upright position

Towel Delivery Demonstration 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.

Temple RitualsTemple Rituals

Male and female should stand or be Male and female should stand or be seated separately on different sides seated separately on different sides of the templeof the temple

Order of taking a kneeling pad:Order of taking a kneeling pad: Seniors or members who receivedSeniors or members who received

Tao earlier should take a priorTao earlier should take a priorposition position

Altar

1 2

4 56

3

Demonstration Demonstration

Demonstration Demonstration

Demonstration Demonstration

Demonstration Demonstration

Demonstration Demonstration

Ritual EtiquetteRitual Etiquette

Every member should do an Entrance Every member should do an Entrance and an Exit Ritual when entering and and an Exit Ritual when entering and leaving the templeleaving the temple

Entrance/Exit RitualEntrance/Exit Ritual GodGod Saints of All HeavensSaints of All Heavens Maitreya Buddha Maitreya Buddha (embodiment of Happiness)(embodiment of Happiness) Guan Yin Buddha Guan Yin Buddha (embodiment of Compassion)(embodiment of Compassion) Ji-Gong Buddha Ji-Gong Buddha (embodies of (embodies of

Freedom/Salvation)Freedom/Salvation) Yueh Huay Bodhisattva Yueh Huay Bodhisattva (embodiment of the (embodiment of the

feminine)feminine) Father TeacherFather Teacher Mother TeacherMother Teacher

Entrance/Exit RitualEntrance/Exit Ritual

Father TeacherFather Teacher 1818thth Patriarch Patriarch

Mother TeacherMother Teacher1818thth Matriarch Matriarch

Transmission MasterTransmission Master Sponsor/GuarantorSponsor/Guarantor Everyone Present Everyone Present

Ritual EtiquetteRitual Etiquette

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

Ritual EtiquetteRitual Etiquette

When a person is doing the ritual, When a person is doing the ritual, everybody else present should stand everybody else present should stand up up

If the group is already in session (or If the group is already in session (or eating) then the member should eating) then the member should quietly do three standing bows in quietly do three standing bows in place of the ritualplace of the ritual

Ritual EtiquetteRitual Etiquette

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

Temple EtiquetteTemple Etiquette Appropriate attireAppropriate attire

No sandals or slippers (remove open-toe No sandals or slippers (remove open-toe footwear when bowing)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 When possible wear white on top and blue or

black on bottom black on bottom

Appropriate demeanor Appropriate demeanor …Do not horse around …Do not horse around

… …Guardian spirits are always present, be Guardian spirits are always present, be respectfulrespectful

… …acknowledge the sacredness of temple acknowledge the sacredness of temple spacespace

… …honor the sacredness of temple space and honor the sacredness of temple space and of graceof grace

Temple EtiquetteTemple Etiquette

Dining Etiquette:

GraceGrace: raise our plate or bowl to eye level before : raise our plate or bowl to eye level before starting the meal starting the meal

Do not waste any food (take what you can eat and Do not waste any food (take what you can eat and finish your food completely)—or take unfinished finish your food completely)—or take unfinished food homefood home

Wasting food in the temple sends a terrible Wasting food in the temple sends a terrible message of ungratefulness to God and diminishes message of ungratefulness to God and diminishes our fortune our fortune

Avoid bringing fish, meat, garlic, onion, cigarette Avoid bringing fish, meat, garlic, onion, cigarette and alcohol into the temple (matters of foul and alcohol into the temple (matters of foul essence)essence)

Temple Etiquette-Dharma Temple Etiquette-Dharma MeetingMeeting

Dharma Meeting is a meeting of great sacredness Dharma Meeting is a meeting of great sacredness with great number of the holy spirits present with great number of the holy spirits present

• ……Do not abandon this precious meeting (no Do not abandon this precious meeting (no matter whatmatter what

worldly trials exists, stay until the completion of the worldly trials exists, stay until the completion of the two-day meeting) two-day meeting)

• ……Do not interrupt the lecture (do not speak Do not interrupt the lecture (do not speak amongstamongst

each other and save the questions till the end of theeach other and save the questions till the end of thelecture or after the lecture)lecture or after the lecture)• ……Sit in upright position (relax shoulders, upright Sit in upright position (relax shoulders, upright

the the spine and plant both feet on the ground)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)lectures or time of day, but please do your best)

The Bottom LineThe Bottom Line

Temple ritual and its following etiquette Temple ritual and its following etiquette serve as our guide posts for the cultivation serve as our guide posts for the cultivation and practice of Tao and practice of Tao

Simple etiquette such as greeting and the Simple etiquette such as greeting and the handing of a hand towel demonstrates handing of a hand towel demonstrates mutual respect and fosters a positive mutual respect and fosters a positive spiritual environment for the temple spiritual environment for the temple (serving one another, holding one another (serving one another, holding one another in high regard) in high regard)

It Takes A Village….It Takes A Village….

It takes everyoneIt takes everyone’’s effort to make s effort to make our temple a place of true our temple a place of true spiritualityspirituality

Our efforts toward that end are most Our efforts toward that end are most appreciatedappreciated

Questions?Questions?