Scripture 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 Scripture Attendant ( 侍經Shijing )

The function of Scripture Attendant is a role played by a Daoist ritual attendee. No records remain about the post of Scripture Attendant in early Daoist rituals, for these were rather simple. The role of Scripture 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 Scripture Attendant wasn't used widely until the Tang and Five Dynasties. Today, Daoist Offering Altars ( 齋壇Zhaitan ) still have Daoists especially in charge of scriptures.

Functions

The scripture Regulations and Penalties for the Use of Lanterns and Candles in Pervasive Mystery Numinous Treasure Offerings says that the Scripture Attendant should "manage the lofty scriptures, and clean the desks and chairs without 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 regulates two roles for the Scripture Attendant. First, he should "cleanse the covers, put the rolls in order, and gather the books," and exhibit, arrange, and gather the scriptures. Second, he should "harmonize the voices, set an example for various roles, and thus please the spirits and men with splendid sight and songs," by preparing for chanting scriptures and singing odes. Also, according to the Supreme Yellow Register Ritual by Du Guangting of the Tang and Five Dynasties, the Scripture Attendant should, before the ritual, "arrange the Ritual Space, and inspect the desks, scriptures, and offerings." After the ritual, he should "gather the scriptures, cleanse the desks and the offerings, and keep others from the ritual altar. These are the tasks of the Scripture Attendant." Failing this, "the Scripture Attendant will suffer blame and punishments."