In here, you all will be seeing a type of Big Taoist Cloth Talisman that is drawn/printed for the usage during a Salvation Ritual or Funeral. This Talisman is mend for the Leading of the Soul of the Passed-ons to the Eastern Palace (東極長樂界) under the supervision of Heavenly Lord Tai Yi (太乙救苦天尊).
This Talisman can also be used as the Blanket to cover on the Passed-on's body before buried/cremation.
This is totally rare to see in South-East Asia.
How old is it ?
ReplyDeleteI could see there are characters OM and HUM at the bottom of talisman.
ReplyDeleteYup, this is a translation from the Pronouciation of the Characters of Spiritual Words from the Ancient Era.
ReplyDeleteAlot of folks or ignorant Religious people will thou that these are an import from the Other Non-Chinese Religions, actually is not.
The one you see is a new one.
ReplyDeleteUsually this is produce in large amount for Ritual usage.
wow i didn't know Taoist have this blanket too.
ReplyDeleteWe Buddhist have our 往生bei.
To be honest, such Taoist Blanket exist far before Buddhism came into China.
ReplyDeleteIn Ancient Buddhist Practise or Teaching, I dont think the Religion has such Blanket.
yup i agree too.
ReplyDeleteBuddhism started to 'change' when it reach China.There are quite a number of things alike from Taoism and Buddhism.
Hahahahaha, yup.
ReplyDeleteIcic, then normally people will just go and buy this kind of blanket and cover the departed's body directly. May i know izzit true to have a ritual to 'empower' the blanket before it is cover to the dead's body?
ReplyDeleteYupe, i suddenly recall of some funeral rituals. How could the taoism priests estimate the 'height' of the soul?
ReplyDeleteUsually such things cannot be bought from any public shop, only the Priest or the Spiritual Master will prepared and then pass it to the Passed-away's family, unlike the other Religions, you can just grab and go in any public shop.
ReplyDeleteIn order to make the things work, such objects will definitely need the necessary enhancements such as reciting of mantras and "lighting" of the Talismans on the object.
Not necessary to cover the whole body. As long as the Blanket is being cover onto part of the Body, the SPiritual Energy will be able to take place.
ReplyDeleteIn this pic, you are able to see the Talisman being hang up at the back of the Altars.
ReplyDeleteThis is a Ritual that conducted to assist the Souls or Passed-away to lessen their debts & Burdens.
So, this is another usage of the Talisman.