Translator: Dj22031
Editor: Dj22031
Advance chapters available for patrons on Patreon. And a chapter can be sponsored by buying me a ko-fi.
“Are you kidding? How could I be insecure about my appearance?” Xie Lingya said to the person on the other end of the phone.
“I just want to impress everyone with my talent… So, Abbot Fang, could you give me some advice?”
Xie Lingya was calling Fang Xushan. Nowadays, many religious activities, both formal and private, in both Buddhism and Taoism, were live-streamed, to facilitate the needs of believers and attract more people from other regions.
However, most lesser-known Taoist temples chose to set up their own websites or partner with Taoist websites for live-streaming.
The only one Xie Lingya knew of that was partnering with a platform was the Jade Emperor Palace. The last time he went there with the Wendao group, he saw it live: there were tens of thousands of people online.
Fang Xushan said kindly, “I’ll send you a copy of the preparation materials our temple has prepared. It’s not difficult, actually. If you’re partnering with a live-streaming platform, they’ll also remind you of the precautions.”
Xie Lingya nodded several times and asked a few more questions. Fang Xushan answered them one by one, telling him to pay attention to the discussions with the platform.
After Xie Lingya agreed, he turned around and told the platform that he agreed.
After calculating an auspicious date, a few days later, he posted an announcement on Weibo: “On November 23rd, XX, at a certain time, when the Southern Dipper descends, Baoyang Temple will hold a blessing ceremony. Those unable to attend in person can participate online, fill out a reply, pray together, and experience the Taoist ritual culture of fasting and offering sacrifices.
Believers attending the ceremony in person should write a prayer, while those watching online can also participate by filling out an electronic reply on the live broadcast page and providing their information.”
The information sent by the Jade Emperor Palace also included a template for this prayer: “Disciple X wishes to participate in X’s ceremony live today, cultivate merit together, and pray for something.”
With so many livestreamed rituals, none had really made a big splash, as most of the attention came from believers, or at least those who were already interested. The ceremony lasted a long time, so how could anyone watch without some interest?
But Baoyang Temple had recently been making a splash, and as the staff said, you had to have confidence in Xie Lingya’s appearance. After the announcement of his role as the presiding priest, feedback showed quite a few people had decided to watch the livestream. These viewers were new, not those already practicing or interested in Taoism.
Xie Lingya chose the day of the Southern Dipper’s descent to hold a blessing ceremony, not simply for general appeal, but also to offer a small-scale prayer using the Southern Dipper’s longevity lantern ritual. The Southern Dipper represented longevity and fortune, the seat of longevity, extending life and dispelling disasters, resolving grievances, and gathering blessings.
Given the size of Baoyang Temple, a large-scale ceremony couldn’t be held. Considering the audience’s preferences, Xie Lingya, Shi Changxuan, and Zhang Daoting were the primary performers, with the others playing music and chanting.
This was Xie Lingya’s first public role as the presiding priest; previously, he had either assisted or privately conducted ceremonies for the deceased.
For this livestream, Xie Lingya also wanted to custom-order robes, so he inevitably consulted with professionals. However, many of the robes available on the market were of mediocre quality, resembling those used in opera performances. Xie Lingya had seen the ones at Shi Changxuan’s and was drawn to them.
Shi Changxuan’s family custom-made all their robes, even the designs were specially drawn in-house. Since there was no time to rush the work, Shi Changxuan simply had one sent over: the pale yellow robe Xie Lingya had worn last time. However, since it was given to him, the shoulder and sleeve length needed to be slightly altered for a better fit.
On the day of the ceremony, Xie Lingya pre-adjusted the camera position with the staff sent by the livestreaming platform.
These days, Baoyang Temple’s ceremonies weren’t what they used to be. Despite the grand ceremony, only a dozen or so people could attend at one time. Not to mention the onlookers, there were already two or three hundred people registered to participate in the prayers, forcing them to operate in batches.
As the time approached, Xie Lingya changed into his robes and left the inner courtyard. The temple was already crowded, but the entrance was still being restricted— mainly due to the small size of the venue. However, the small building was almost finished, with a dedicated hall for rituals, which would provide much more space.
Xie Lingya adjusted his hat as he passed under the eaves. He was met by an elderly man whose face was strikingly familiar there, and he blurted out, “Principal Mi?”
He was startled. Wasn’t that Old Mi, their school’s principal?
While Xie Lingya had performed exorcisms for the professorial community, apprehended ghosts for his seniors, and even invited students for tea, he had never expected to encounter the principal at a ritual.
The other man was also startled. Upon closer inspection, he recognized Xie Lingya’s face.
Earlier, when Xie Lingya and Shi Changxuan had encountered him and Mr. Gao, Xie Lingya had pretended to be a student from another school. Principal Mi didn’t remember that incident, but rather Xie Lingya’s later postgraduate entrance exam matter was so well-known that he had seen his photo, leaving a deep impression. Principal Mi oversaw so many teachers and students that he couldn’t remember much else, so naturally, he had no idea where Xie Lingya worked. He thus looked at Xie Lingya with a hint of confusion and said, “Aren’t you a first-year graduate student? The one who was vomiting blood? What… is this part-time job?”
He had forgotten the name, but he remembered the recognizing characteristic clearly: the one who was vomiting blood during the exam.
Xie Lingya: “…”
Xie Lingya hesitated, saying, “…I guess so.”
Principal Mi had come with someone. He wasn’t religious himself, but his friend was. He’d invited him to the prayer simply to observe the fun, since Baoyang Temple was quite popular.
Principal Mi’s friend asked in surprise, “Old Mi, you know Master Xie?”
The information about the main ritual for the ceremony had been made public, so how could his friend not know who Xie Lingya was?
Principal Mi was even more bewildered when he heard him address him as “Master.” Could their student be so good at his part-time job? That he even became a Master? Principal Mi felt that something was amiss, but then he reflected: there was no school rule prohibiting students from performing rituals. This was a legitimate religious venue. He opened his mouth, then corrected himself, saying, “This is a first-year graduate student from our school.”
“I thought I heard Master Xie was a student. But I didn’t expect he’s one of our own!” Principal Mi’s friend was quite pleased, thinking that Principal Mi’s connection would make it easier to request private rituals in the future.
“Well, Principal Mi, I have to go. Excuse me,” Xie Lingya said awkwardly.
Principal Mi subconsciously adopted the same attitude he would give a student: “Go ahead, do your best.”
Xie Lingya: “…Hmm.”
Xie Lingya walked over, feeling embarrassed. The livestream had already begun, and the audience was growing, especially after seeing Xie Lingya and the others on camera.
They set up an altar, lit incense, and presented prayers.
Because the livestream platform had sent a professional photographer, the director frequently zoomed in after observing the response from the studio.
Previously, Xie Lingya had only been assisting, and there hadn’t been any close-ups in the Changle Mountain news. Unlike now, even the patterns on his clothes were clearly visible.
Devotees watched Xie Lingya’s hand gestures, while the general audience watched his face, each engaging in their own, unrelated discussions in the comments.
Shi Changxuan came from a family of learned monks, Xie Lingya was exceptionally gifted, and Zhang Daoting, who had previously single-handedly overseen numerous rituals within the temple, had undergone intensive training, and his ritual actions were impeccable from the inside out.
In the camera, the altar and tables were set up around the altar, decorated with mingjiao lamps[1], incense burners, fruit plates, and other items. The tables were covered with auspicious embroidery. The monks worshipped the gods, the heavens and the earth. Their robes were wide sleeved, and the ancient beams and pillars around them made them look very ancient.
When they began to speak, they even aroused the interest of many unfamiliar audience members.
The sutras were a combination of singing and chanting. Early on, they were mostly spoken lines, with various praises and chants, accompanied by drums and other musical accompaniments.
Later, rhymed singing developed, drawing on the melodic characteristics of gaoqiang and Kunqu opera. Therefore, if you don’t listen carefully, you might mistake certain passages for operatic lyrics. The voices were sometimes clear and melodious, sometimes high and resonant, making them quite pleasant to listen to.
Of course, more importantly, the singers were attractive and had pleasant voices, adding to the allure.
Swords were also used in the performance. Xie Lingya’s swordsmanship had enhanced its agility under Shi Changxuan’s instruction.
So even when he was suppressing a smile, he could still embody a certain coolness, similar to Shi Changxuan’s. His complexion was also fair. His every gesture, every movement, every chant, and every movement, as he moved through the swirling smoke from the incense burner and the lingering mist, truly gave him an air of immortality.
Whenever Xie Lingya performed complex movements, the barrage of comments surged. Even the faithful in the audience often stared intently.
Lifting swords, stepping on the magic steps, making hand gestures, writing talismans, the pale goose yellow robes fluttered up and down, then they began to sing and chant, clear and pleasant to the ears.
“…It’s surprisingly beautiful, like Kunqu Opera!”
“I can really hear some opera rhythms, it’s quite beautiful, and they can also dabble with swords.”
“I just went to fill in the palindrome, just give a little money for the lantern, hey, I’ll give it for this voice!”
“I love the way the Taoist priests chant incantations, how can they be so handsome QAQ”
“The Buxu rhyme of the high master is good.”
“Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun, the hand gestures are very good and standard!!”
“Master Xie’s recitation is so charming… This southern flavor…”
“It seems that Taoist music really borrowed the characteristics of Kunqu Opera, as well as Jiangnan Sizhu. I feel that the fusion is not as delicate and slow as Kunqu Opera, but it has more religious colors, and it has a unique flavor under the blessing.”
“Is this the Taoist fasting and offering ritual? Paying attention!”
Those who understood admired the standard of the ritual, and those who didn’t just found it pleasing to the eye and Taoist-like.
“The Southern Dipper overcomes disasters and is the pivot of the sky. It is quiet and transforms, and it gathers prosperity and decline. Wenchang is bright and it houses books. It turns disaster into blessing and serves as my elixir chariot. I refine my soul and guard my spirit, and I protect my soul and body. The sky is bright and peaceful, and disasters are swept away. The Taoist spirit lasts forever, and the saints live with me.” Xie Lingya recited the praises, and the whole process took about two hours before the whole ritual was over.
If Xie Lingya hadn’t been able to use his voice well, his voice would have been hoarse by now.
After Xie Lingya greeted the believers at the scene, he walked closer to the camera and looked at the barrage on the tablet computer. He found that the comments were all good, and the number of people remained at 50,000 to 60,000, and he couldn’t help but smile.
“Recite the last sentence again?” Xie Lingya read out a barrage of comments, and then casually said, “According to the rituals, build a star altar, prepare the ceremony of incense, flowers, lamps and candles, and sincerely worship the Great Saint Palace Southern Dipper Ji Shang Sheng Jian Book Dali Zhenjun.”
“How did you memorize it? I memorized it like this.”
“It is indeed a bit like singing an opera, because it borrowed elements of their melody. Why? It is too dry to listen for the gods in the sky, and too boring for the audience on the earth as well.”
“You have a cold, can I pray for it to get better? Wouldn’t it be better to buy cold medicine with the money for buying lanterns? I’m not saying it doesn’t work, but why bother the Southern Dipper Star Lord if it can be solved with medicine? He only comes down a few times a year, and it’s not easy.”
Xie Lingya and the others interacted with the audience briefly before leaving. As the main practitioner, he had found it the most physically demanding and felt somewhat exhausted after two hours of activity. Then, Zhang Daoting was forced to answer questions. Logically, they should have answered questions related to Taoism, but the comments were filled with irrelevant questions.
Overall, however, the livestream was a success. Rather than losing viewers due to the lengthy ritual, it actually brought in many new viewers. This was largely due to the recent popularity of Baoyang Temple, which had helped it gain widespread publicity. Initially, some people didn’t attend, but later, after hearing the beautiful chanting, many flocked to watch.
While the solemnity of the religious ceremony, while not as profound as in person, was felt during a livestream, it was still quite captivating. After all, the practitioners were incredibly dedicated.
Guys, ads are my only source of revenue, so please do not turn on the AdBlock when you are accessing this website…. Thank you, this would be a great help…
You can buy me a ko-fi and sponsor a chapter on: https://ko-fi.com/midnightrambles
Or become a Patron or access advance chapters on: https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=45665005
If you support me, I would be able to provide more chapters….
Previous • Table of Contents • Next
