In China's Taoist temples, sometimes Taoists
wear robes made of gold and silver threads, hold various magical instruments,
sing ancient tunes, and dance in an interesting way in the sacrificial altar.
This is the Zhajiao Keyi of Taoism, and it is also called as Taoist rites
or religious ceremonies.
According to the explanation of Taoism,
Zhai means fast and lustration, that is, a Taoist has to freshen up, and
should not eat meat, drink wine or sleep with his wife before the sacrifice to
show the stateliness and piety of the prayer. The original meaning of
Jiao is sacrifice. Sacrifice was originally a kind of etiquette in
ancient China, and it was later inherited and developed by Taoism. The way of
Zhai and the way of Jiao were not the same originally, and they
were mutually combined subsequently; they were collectively called as
Zhaijiao in the 7th century. This name was handed down and
became the pronoun of the rituals, classes, regulations and rules used to carry
out sacrificial activities.
The term of Zhaijiao Keyi therefore
refers to the regulations and rules used to carry out sacrificial activities.
Ceremonies are held in Taoist temples on the 1st day and
15th day of a lunar month, on important religious festivals and the
birthday of founders of Taoist sects. All these etiquettes belong to Zhaijiao
Keyi.