Taoism, as a religion native to China, has always attracted much attention for its views on marriage. This article will focus on the topic of whether Taoist priests can get married, and elaborate on the relationship between Taoist beliefs and marriage.
1. The Taoist view of marriage.
Taoism regards Tao as the highest belief and advocates a balance between yin and yang. In the Taoist view, marriage is one of the four major events in life, alongside the birth, fertility inheritance and return of a person. The early Taoist classic "Taiping Sutra" believes that the absence of a marriage relationship will lead to the failure of yin and yang, which in turn will affect the reproduction of human beings. Therefore, Taoism has a positive attitude towards marriage.
2. Taoist Sects and Marriage Relations.
Among the two major sects of Taoism in China, the Quanzhen Sect advocates strict observance of precepts, prohibition of meat and alcohol, cutting off red dust, and Taoist priests not to marry; The Zhengyi Sect, on the other hand, is relatively relaxed, allowing Taoist priests to marry and have children, and encouraging them to enter the WTO and practice. The Zhengyi faction can eat meat in normal times, but it is still necessary to abide by the prohibition when doing the rituals.
3. Taoist wedding process.
Taoist weddings focus on rituals and processes, and the following is the basic process of Taoist weddings:
1.Invite a Taoist priest: Invite one or more Taoist priests to officiate at the wedding ceremony for the bride and groom.
2.Hand cleansing ceremony: The bride and groom, under the guidance of a Taoist priest, perform a hand cleansing ceremony to show piety and purity.
3.Chapel: The bride and groom, under the auspices of the Taoist priest, bow to heaven and earth, ancestors, parents, etc.
4.Recitation**: Taoist priests recite Taoist scriptures for the bride and groom and pray for the protection of the gods.
5.Wedding stamp: A Taoist priest will stamp the wedding book drafted by the bride and groom with a Taoist seal to symbolize the legality of marriage.
6.Hair Tying Ceremony: The bride and groom tie each other's hair together to signify eternal union.
7.Sent to the cave room: The Taoist priest leads the bride and groom into the cave room, implying a happy marriage.
Fourth, the benefits of marrying a Taoist priest.
1.Same Faith: Marrying a Taoist priest means having a common foundation of faith, which is conducive to family harmony.
2.Yin and Yang Balance: Taoism focuses on the balance of Yin and Yang, and Taoist priests can better reconcile Yin and Yang in their married life, bringing good luck.
3.Traditional virtues: Taoist priests follow traditional moral values and take marriage and family seriously and responsibly.
4.Entering the WTO to practice: Zhengyi Taoist priests encourage marriage and childbearing, which is conducive to the inheritance of Taoist culture.
In conclusion, Taoist beliefs are closely related to the marriage relationship. In Taoism, marriage is an important part of life, which is conducive to the balance of yin and yang and the reproduction of human beings. Although some Taoist sects prohibit marriage, Zhengyi Taoist priests can get married, have children, and have a happy married life. Marrying a Taoist priest not only means having a common foundation of faith, but also inheriting Taoist culture under the influence of traditional virtues.