1. The Art of Spiritual Containment (收法正傳)
In Liuren Fajiao, Ghost Capturing (捉鬼 - Zhuo Gui) is the advanced discipline of containing malevolent entities that refuse to leave through simple dissolution (Section 06). This is a core competency of the Sanshanjiao (Three Mountains Teaching), where the practitioner acts as a "Spiritual Constable."
2. Functional Ritual Dynamics
Capturing an entity requires a combination of Soldier Management and specialized Talismanic Containment.
| Method | Metaphysical Action | Ritual Objective |
|---|---|---|
| Shou Fa (Entity Collection) | "Pulling" the entity into a ritual medium (e.g., a jar or duck egg). | Removing the entity from the patient or location. |
| Bing Ma (Commanding Soldiers) | Dispatching the Altar's spiritual troops to "Bind" the entity. | Overpowering the entity's resistance. |
| Containment Talisman | Sealing the ritual medium with the "Lineage Lock." | Ensuring the entity cannot escape or re-emerge. |
3. Ghost Taxonomy and Containment Vessels
Entity taxonomy:
- Wandering Spirits (孤魂): Lost or confused ancestors without offerings. Generally managed smoothly without force.
- Vengeful Specters (厲鬼): Entities that suffered violent deaths or harbor deep resentment. Often require the Shisanlang generals for suppression.
- Wild Animal Spirits (野生精怪): Non-human entities that have cultivated enough Yin-Qi to cause disturbances. Handled via Thunder suppression protocols.
Containment Vessels: The Earthenware Jar (瓦罐) — sealed with a talisman and red thread; The Duck Egg (鴨蛋) — used for rapid absorption of Yin-Qi from a patient's body; The Peach Wood Box (桃木盒) — utilized for long-term detention of particularly dangerous entities.
4. Lineage Law: Spiritual Enforcement
Ghost capturing is an act of Spiritual Law Enforcement. When an entity violates the peace of a home or the health of a person, the practitioner uses the Altar's mandate to "Arrest and Detain" the offender. The practitioner does not act out of personal anger, but as a representative of the Liuren Xianshi.