You must know!
Unwritten Rule One: Do Not Call Out Randomly
Whether you are a believer, a layperson, or a Taoist priest, when you see a monk or a priest from the Zhengyi sect, you must respectfully address them as ‘Daozhang’, ‘Xianzhang’, ‘Daoshi’, ‘Fashi’, ‘Shifu’, etc., or refer to their position such as ‘Zhuchi’ or ‘Jianyuan’. For those older, you may call them ‘Daoye’. If you know their surname, regardless of whether they are from the Kun or Qian sects, you may call them ‘× Ye’. You must never use casual terms like ‘Old Brother’ or nicknames like ‘× Ge’ or ‘× Jie’. Laypersons (even if they are of the same sect) should not refer to monks as Dao Brothers or Senior Brothers.
Believers and laypersons should not engage in physical contact with monks. Additionally, one cannot arbitrarily choose a ‘Tao name’ for oneself. If you have not entered the Tao and give yourself a Tao name, it would be disrespectful to the past immortal masters and ancestors of Taoism. If you do not even know which sect you belong to, how can you create a Tao name? Furthermore, the term ‘Zi’ can only be used by those who have achieved something after entering the Tao.
Unwritten Rule Two: Do Not Move Randomly
Movement refers to performing rituals. When Taoists meet each other or friends, they must perform the ‘Taoist greeting’, which is similar to our Chinese ‘Yi Li’. The right thumb pinches the tip of the middle finger for the Wu Jue. The left thumb is inserted into the right hand’s tiger mouth and pressed against the base of the right hand’s ring finger for the Zi Jue, while the other four fingers embrace outside.
With the left hand outside and right hand inside symbolizes Yin embracing Yang. As long as you are not a monk or lama, do not perform gestures like ‘Anjali’, as this is a form of respect.
Unwritten Rule Three: Do Not Ask Random Questions
When conversing with Daozhang or meeting them, there are three things one should not ask: First, do not ask about their age; second, do not inquire about worldly matters (referring to Quanzhen Daoists); third, do not ask about their abilities. Not asking about age is because priests practice longevity and it is taboo to speak of lifespan; worldly matters refer to family background, hometowns, secular names etc., since Quanzhen Daoists are all monks and should not discuss worldly affairs.
Most priests possess some skills in Taoist arts; do not ask them what level they have reached in their practice. Moreover, when seeking divination or medical treatment from priests, never question whether it will be accurate or effective; after they have completed your reading or treatment do not ask “Is this true?” Because practitioners do not speak lightly; if they can help with divination and healing then they have confidence in their abilities. When consulting priests for medical issues or naming events and selecting dates, it should be done respectfully—there’s an old saying: “A doctor does not knock on doors; one does not buy Tao cheaply.” If one approaches without sincerity and does not offer merit after consulting with a priest that too shows disrespect.
Unwritten Rule Four: Do Not Neglect Offerings
Disciples who have taken refuge and ordained disciples should make offerings to their master during festivals (within reasonable limits). If there has been a long time without meeting each other for the first time also make offerings to your master.
Disciples who have taken refuge or ordained disciples should refrain from casually asking their master for help with worldly matters (what masters need to do must be appropriate; do not view practitioners through mundane perspectives). Their ability to attain knowledge certainly involves some profound mysteries.
Unwritten Rule Five: Do Not Show Disrespect
When Taoists visit temples and shrines they must pay respects at altars because as a Taoist one should bow before deities and ancestors—failing to bow is extremely disrespectful towards deities. Moreover, priests must wear socks while believers or laypersons visiting altars should roll up their pant legs to prevent body hair from falling onto sacred grounds or any impurities from spreading in pure areas—this too shows extreme disrespect towards deities.
When entering temples and shrines one must avoid loud talking, joking around excessively, watching online programs on mobile devices or playing music. Especially during rituals performed by priests; upon seeing them conducting ceremonies one should immediately kneel before high immortals (deities) seeking blessings—failure to pay respects such as loud talking, burping loudly while joking around making strange sounds is showing disrespect towards Taoism itself as well as towards rituals conducted by high-level practitioners.
Additionally , when encountering one’s master for the first time after an extended period , disciples should kneel in respect , greeting their master . When masters prepare for long journeys , disciples ought also kneel before their masters , expressing gratitude .
Unwritten Rule Six : Do Not Be Impure
Before going into temples , one should bathe first , cleansing oneself of bodily , mental , and verbal impurities . Before burning incense , hands ought also be washed ; when burning incense , embrace Yin with Yang while dedicating offerings towards deities .
While offering incense , use your left hand respectfully ; follow an order from right to left while offering incense . The incense offered ought always be horizontal yet vertical ; ensure that it does not leave your grasp . Always say “Offering Incense” instead of “Inserting Incense”.
When reciting scriptures , burn incense after washing hands before opening any texts ; if unfinished reading cannot fold pages nor damage nor tear scriptures .
In temples smoking is prohibited ; worshipping after consuming alcohol is forbidden . Couples are prohibited from holding hands , hugging kissing flirting ; minors needing supervision must enter temples accompanied by guardians ; children shouldn’t run around crying in sacred spaces .
Unwritten Rule Seven : Avoid Indecency
In restrooms avoid using vulgar terms like “urinate” “defecate”; believers laypersons ought say “relieve oneself”, while priests may say “reincarnation” “reincarnating five grains” “removing impurities”, alternatively simply refer collectively as “attending nature’s call”or“convenience”.
Female believers entering temples shouldn’t wear revealing clothing nor short skirts nor heavy makeup.
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d iv cla ss=“oxoxoxoxoxoxoxo”> Remind resident temple priests laypersons that within temple premises including private rooms there shouldn’t exist impure items such as cigarettes alcohol gambling tools meat fish etc.
by-Wang Daozhang