Editing Taoism (section)

=== Rituals ===
[[File:青羊宫法事.jpg|thumb|A Taoist ritual at the Gray Goat Temple (Qingyang Gong, 青羊宫) in [[Chengdu]], [[Sichuan]].]]
[[File:02.20 總統出席「松山慈祐宮護國禳瘟清醮法會」 (49559117058).jpg|thumb|Taoist ritual specialists in a procession, Taiwan.]]
Ancient [[Religion in China|Chinese religion]] made much use of [[sacrifice]]s to gods and ancestors, which could include slaughtered animals (such as pigs and ducks) or fruit. The Taoist [[List of Celestial Masters|Celestial Master]] [[Zhang Daoling]] rejected food and [[animal sacrifice]]s to the gods. Today, many [[Taoist temple]]s reject animal sacrifice.<ref>[[David "Race" Bannon]], "Chinese Medicine: From Temples to Taoism," T'ai Chi, Vol. 20, No. 3 (1996): 28–33.</ref> Sacrifices to the deities remains a key element of Taoist rituals however. There are various kinds of Taoist rituals, which may include presenting offerings, scripture reading, sacrifices, incantations, purification rites, confession, petitions and announcements to the gods, observing the ethical precepts, memorials, chanting, lectures, and communal feasts.{{sfnp|Wong|2011|p=145}}{{sfnp|Kohn|2008|p=143}}

On particular holidays, such as the [[Qingming Festival|Qingming/Ching Ming festival]], street parades take place. These are lively affairs that involve firecrackers, the burning of [[hell money]], and flower-covered floats broadcasting traditional music. They also variously include [[lion dance]]s and [[dragon dance]]s, human-occupied puppets (often of the [[Heibai Wuchang|"Seventh Lord" and "Eighth Lord"]]), [[Kungfu|gongfu]], and [[palanquin]]s carrying images of deities. The various participants are not considered performers, but rather possessed by the gods and spirits in question.<ref>{{harvp|Schipper|1993|pp=28–29}}</ref>

In Taoism, there are two main types of rituals: [[vernacular]] and classical. Vernacular rituals are more about the community and include things like healing, protection, and celebrations for farming. Local people often do these and mix Taoist beliefs with local traditions, like ancestor worship and seasonal festivals. On the other hand, classical rituals are more formal and are performed by trained priests in temples. They follow ancient texts and involve detailed ceremonies, offerings, and chants to connect with the Tao and the universe. Examples of classical rituals include the "[[Three Purities]]" ceremony, which honors important deities, and rituals for purification and meditation. Together, these rituals show different ways people practice Taoism, focusing on community and personal spirituality.<ref>{{harvp|Schipper|1993}}{{page needed|date=April 2025}}</ref>