Lantern Attendant

Rituals

Religious Practise

Morning and Evening Rites Refining the Vital Breath Wandering About and Seeking Masters Fasting

Religious Discipline

Commandments of the Orthodox Oneness Sect Commandments of the Complete Perfection Sect Temple Regulations

Talismans, Registers, and Magic Skills

Talismans Registers Divine Incantations Finger Gestures Pacing the Big Dipper Magical Transformation Skills Praying for Happiness and Offering Sacrifice Summoning Spirits for Interrogation Exorcism Healing Diseases Expelling the God of Plague Numerology

Rituals

Names of the Three Fasts Great Ritual Offerings to the Overarching Heaven Lantern Rituals for the Destruction of Hell Rituals of Purification and of Sacrifice to the Ancestral Souls Rituals of Purification and Salvation Rituals of Scattering Flowers and Communicating with Spirits through Lanterns Rituals for Sending Petitions to the Heavens

Ceremonial Altars

Altars for Fasts Altars for Ritual Offerings Altars for Commandments The Ancestral Altar of All Skills

Daoist Headdresses and Dress

Ritual Implements

Wooden Fish Commandment Plaques S-shaped Ornamental Objects Magical Seals Magical Staffs Magical Swords Tablets Shallow Pans Streamers Inverted Bells Horsetail Whisks Bells Large Cymbals

Ritual Specialists

High Priest Cheif Cantor Inspector of Fasts Incense Attendant Lantern Attendant Scripture Attendant

Ceremonies to Celebrate the Birth of Spirits

Assemblies to Entice Spirits Pilgrimage Times and Temple Fairs

Origin of the Title of Lantern Attendant ( 侍燈Shideng )

The Lantern Attendant is a managing role played by a Daoist ritual attendee during Daoist rituals. No records remain about the post of Lantern Attendant in early Daoist rituals, for these were rather simple. Lanterns were used widely in people's life and in Daoist rituals until the Southern and Northern Dynasties. The role of Lantern Attendant appeared as late as the Regulations and Penalties for the Use of Lanterns and Candles in Pervasive Mystery Numinous Treasure Offerings ( 《洞玄靈寶齋說光燭戒罰燈祝願儀》 Dongxuan Lingbao Zhai Shuo Guangzhu Jiefa Deng Zhuyuan Yi ) compiled by eminent Daoist Lu Xiujing (406-477) of the Southern Dynasties. The title of Lantern Attendant wasn't used widely until the Tang and Five Dynasties. After the Yuan and Ming Dynasties, due to the popularity of lantern rituals, this role became more important and eminent. Today, Daoist Offering Altars ( 齋壇Zhaitan ) still have Daoists especially in charge of lanterns.

Functions

The scripture Regulations and Penalties for the Use of Lanterns and Candles in Pervasive Mystery Numinous Treasure Offerings says, Lantern Attendants should "prepare the lanterns in accordance to rules, and always keep them burning bright. Report to the master in stormy weather and then put out the lanterns. Do not be neglectful out of carelessness or laziness." The book Preaching Commandments for Assigning Tasks during Golden Register Great Fasts ( 《金籙大齋補職說戒儀》 Jinlu Dazhai Buzhi Shuojie Yi ) of the Tang and Five Dynasties requires Lantern Attendants to prepare lanterns for the nights, to "carefully manage lanterns and candles, always keep every place bright, and put out the lanterns in the morning. Keep the ritual space and the Offering Altars bright and magnificent." The Commandments of the Mystery Metropolis ( 《玄者律》 Xuandu Lu ) postulate that a Lantern Attendant failing in his task would be imposed a fine of incense or oil.