Liuren Magic Sanctuary
Essential Vocabulary for Understanding 六壬法教
This glossary provides comprehensive definitions of key terms used in 六壬法教 (Liuren Fajiao) magical practice. Each entry includes Chinese characters, pinyin romanization, literal translation, and contextual meaning within the tradition. Understanding these terms is essential for navigating the teachings and practices of this Daoist magical lineage.
Terms are organized alphabetically by pinyin romanization. Each entry follows this structure:
Literal Translation: "Report to Teacher-Grandfather" or "Announce to Ancestral Masters"
Contextual Meaning: The ritual act of formally reporting to the ancestral masters (祖师 Zǔshī) before performing major ceremonies, particularly during the initiation process (过教 Guòjiào). This is a crucial step that requests permission and spiritual support from the lineage ancestors before transmitting power to a new disciple.
Usage in Practice: Before initiating a new student, the master sets up the altar with incense and offerings, then formally announces to the师公 (ancestral masters) the intention to accept this person into the lineage. This ensures the transmission has the blessing and backing of the entire spiritual lineage. Without this step, the initiation lacks proper spiritual authority.
Related Concept: The师公 are not distant historical figures but living spiritual presences on the altar. "Reporting" to them is an actual communication, not symbolic ceremony. Practitioners may use divination blocks (问杯) to receive confirmation that the ancestors approve of the new disciple.
Literal Translation: "Soldiers and Horses" or "Military Forces"
Contextual Meaning: Spiritual soldiers or warrior spirits that can be commanded by initiated practitioners to execute specific tasks, provide protection, or perform spiritual labor. These are not metaphorical but understood as actual spiritual entities within the lineage's command structure.
Categories of Bingma:
Usage in Practice: Beginning instruction in commanding minor兵马 starts at Dajiao level, with full mastery achieved at Sanshanjiao. Practitioners must give clear, specific orders and properly dismiss the兵马 after tasks are complete. Ethical use is paramount - the兵马 serve the lineage's purposes of protection and healing, not personal gain or harm.
Important Note: The兵马 are part of the Thirteen Guardians (十三郎) structure. They require respectful treatment and proper offerings through altar maintenance. Misuse or disrespect can result in the兵马 withdrawing their service or even causing problems for the practitioner.
Literal Translation: "Command/Decree the Talisman" or "Consecrate the Talisman"
Contextual Meaning: The ritual act of empowering or activating a written talisman (符 fú), transforming it from mere ink and paper into a spiritually charged object. This process is also called 开光 (Kāiguāng - "Opening the Light") in some contexts.
The Process: After drawing a talisman with proper materials and technique, the practitioner must "consecrate" it through:
Usage in Practice: A talisman that has not been properly敕符 is considered "dead" - it has no spiritual efficacy. Only initiated practitioners who have received the proper incantations through transmission can effectively consecrate talismans. This is one reason why simply copying talisman designs from books doesn't work - the consecration requires lineage power (法力 Fǎlì).
Why Consecration Matters: The act of敕符 is the moment when the practitioner's connection to the lineage and the ancestral masters "charges" the physical object with spiritual reality. It's analogous to signing a legal document - without the signature (consecration), the document (talisman) has no binding power.
Literal Translation: "Virtue and Conduct" or "Moral Character"
Contextual Meaning: The ethical foundation and moral cultivation required of Liuren Fajiao practitioners. This encompasses both inner character (德 dé - virtue) and outer behavior (行 xíng - conduct/actions). It represents the practitioner's spiritual maturity and integrity.
Components of Dexing:
Usage in Practice: Dexing is one of the primary criteria masters evaluate when considering whether to advance a disciple to higher teachings. A student may master all technical skills but will not be promoted without demonstrated德行. This is especially critical at Sanshanjiao and Wuleijiao levels, where greater power requires greater ethical maturity.
The Foundation of Safety: The tradition teaches that德行 is not merely a moral nicety but a protective necessity. Practitioners who lack德行 and misuse their powers invite karmic consequences, including the withdrawal of lineage protection and possible "thunder punishment" (被雷劈) from celestial forces. Conversely, those who cultivate strong德行 receive greater spiritual support and protection from the ancestral masters.
Related to: 行善積德 (Xíngshàn Jīdé) - actively doing good and accumulating merit through德行
Literal Translation: "Law Books" or "Dharma Texts"
Contextual Meaning: The secret ritual manuals and instruction texts that contain the detailed procedures, talisman designs, incantations, and ceremonial protocols of the lineage. These are the "technical manuals" of Liuren Fajiao practice.
Contents of Faben:
Traditional Restriction: The principle of "法本不可外泄" (Fǎběn bù kě wài xiè) - "Law texts cannot be leaked" - means these materials are kept within the initiated lineage and not published publicly. This protects both the tradition's integrity and prevents misuse by those without proper training.
Modern Challenges: With the internet age, some法本 contents have been photographed and circulated online. Traditional practitioners caution that even with access to these materials, they remain ineffective without:
The法本 are like sheet music - you can read them, but without the instrument (initiation) and training (transmission), you cannot create the music (effective magic).
Related Concept: 法不传六耳 (Fǎ bù chuán liù ěr) - "The teaching is not transmitted to six ears" (meaning teachings pass only directly from master to disciple, not to outsiders or multiple students simultaneously).
Literal Translation: "Dharma Name" or "Law Name"
Contextual Meaning: The spiritual name bestowed upon a disciple during the initiation ceremony (过教 Guòjiào). This name represents the practitioner's new spiritual identity within the lineage and replaces their secular name in all ritual contexts.
Significance of the Fahao:
Usage in Practice: When performing rituals, practitioners identify themselves by their法号 rather than birth name. For example: "I, [Fahao], disciple of the Liuren lineage, request the presence of..." This signals to the spiritual realm that the speaker is an authorized representative of the tradition.
Typical Fahao Structure:
Important Note: The法号 is considered sacred and should be treated with respect. Some practitioners do not share their法号 publicly to maintain spiritual privacy and protection.
Literal Translation: "Law Power" or "Dharma Power"
Contextual Meaning: The spiritual authority and magical power that enables practitioners to perform effective rituals, command spiritual entities, and create change in the spiritual and physical realms. This is the fundamental operative force that makes Liuren magic functional.
Nature of Fali:
Unlike "personal power" developed through long cultivation alone,法力 in Liuren Fajiao is primarily transmitted and authorized. It comes through three sources:
How Fali Works:
When a practitioner performs a ritual, they are not using their own individual power but channeling the collective power of the entire lineage - from Li Chunfeng and Jiutian Xuannu down through all the masters to their own teacher. The initiation ceremony creates the "pipeline" through which this power flows.
The Critical Quote from Tradition:
"未经师父赐封，法就没有传承力，用法时则难以灵验"
"Without the master's empowerment, the law has no transmission power, and using magic will be ineffective."
This explains why simply learning techniques from books doesn't work - the techniques are conduits for法力, and without the法力 (granted through proper initiation), the techniques are empty forms.
Maintaining and Increasing Fali:
Losing Fali: The tradition teaches that法力 can be diminished or withdrawn through:
Usage Example: A practitioner might say: "My法力 has increased since Dajiao initiation - the talismans work faster and the兵马 respond more readily." This indicates both greater authorization from the lineage and deeper personal cultivation.
Literal Translation: "Dharma Vein" or "Law Lineage"
Contextual Meaning: The transmission lineage - the unbroken chain of master-to-disciple succession that carries the teachings, practices, and spiritual authority from the tradition's origins to the present day. It's like a "bloodline" of spiritual transmission.
Components of Famai:
Why Famai Matters:
In Liuren Fajiao, the法脉 is not just historical documentation - it's the actual source of spiritual power. Being part of an authentic法脉 means:
Identifying Authentic Famai: When seeking a teacher, legitimate practitioners can trace their法脉 clearly:
Red Flags for Fake Famai:
Regional Variations: Different法脉 may have variations in practice while maintaining the core tradition:
Respecting All Legitimate Famai: While each法脉 may consider itself authentic, the tradition generally respects all legitimate lineages. Different doesn't mean wrong - it reflects the tradition's adaptation to different regions and communities over centuries.
Literal Translation: "Seal the Body" or "Empower the Body"
Contextual Meaning: The ritual procedure during initiation (过教 Guòjiào) where the master imprints protective spiritual characters (花字 Huāzì - Flower Characters) on key points of the disciple's body, creating a permanent spiritual armor and activating the connection to lineage power.
The Fengshen Process:
Key Sealing Points:
The Permanent Protection: Once封身 is performed, these spiritual seals remain with the practitioner for life. They create a protective field that:
Traditional practitioners report that after封身, they can sense a tangible difference in their spiritual "presence" and protection level.
Related to "Copper Skin, Iron Bone" (銅皮鐵骨): The protection granted through封身 is sometimes described as making the body like "copper skin and iron bones" - highly resistant to both physical and spiritual harm. This is linked to the護身咒 (Body Protection Incantation) in Zhongjiao level practice.
Usage in Context: During the Guojiao ceremony, the master might say: "Now I will perform封身 to empower your body with the protection of the Liuren Immortal Master and the lineage ancestors. Receive these seals with reverence and gratitude."
Important Note: The specific Flower Characters used in封身 are kept secret within lineages (part of the法本 that cannot be shared publicly). Even if one knew the characters, the sealing would be ineffective without the master's法力 to activate them.
Literal Translation: "Talismans and Spells/Incantations"
Contextual Meaning: The combined practice of written talismans (符 fú) and spoken incantations (咒 zhòu), which together form the primary magical technology of Liuren Fajiao. This term encompasses the entire system of ritual magic tools used by practitioners.
Two Components Explained:
Written symbols and characters drawn on paper, cloth, or other materials using specific inks (often cinnabar mixed with consecrated water) and brushes. Each talisman has a specific purpose and design:
Spoken formulas, mantras, or verbal commands that invoke spiritual power and direct energy. These range from short emergency spells to elaborate ceremonial incantations:
How Fuzhou Work Together:
Often, talismans and incantations are used in combination for maximum effect:
The 300+ Talisman Repertoire: Advanced practitioners (Sanshanjiao level) master approximately 300 different talisman designs, each with corresponding incantations and specific applications. This represents years of study and practice to learn when to use which符咒 combination for different situations.
Materials for Fu:
Why You Can't Just Copy Fuzhou:
A common question: "If I copy a talisman design from a book and recite a spell, why doesn't it work?" The answer lies in understanding that符咒 are not self-operating - they are channels for the practitioner's法力 (spiritual authority), which can only be received through proper initiation (过教). Without lineage transmission, the符 is just ink on paper and the咒 is just words.
The Sacred Nature of Fuzhou: In traditional practice,符咒 are treated with great reverence. Talisman papers are not thrown in regular trash but burned respectfully or buried. Incantations are not to be spoken casually or shared with the uninitiated. This respect maintains the spiritual potency and honors the sacred nature of the magical technology.
Learning Path:
Literal Translation: "Pass the Teaching" or "Transmit the Teaching"
Contextual Meaning: The formal initiation ritual that transforms an interested student into an authorized lineage disciple. This is the most essential ceremony in Liuren Fajiao, as it creates the spiritual connection that enables all subsequent practice. Without过教, one cannot effectively practice the tradition, regardless of knowledge acquired through study.
The Four-Step Ritual Process:
What Guojiao Transmits:
"Attain First, Cultivate Later" (先得後修): Liuren Fajiao follows this distinctive philosophy - unlike other traditions that require years of preparation before conferring any power, Guojiao provides immediate functional ability. After initiation, practitioners can perform basic rituals right away, then gradually deepen understanding through continued practice. This made the tradition accessible to working people who needed protection immediately, not after decades of study.
Requirements for Receiving Guojiao:
Levels of Guojiao: The initiation process repeats at each of the Four Teachings:
Traditional Extended Form - 搭紅過教 (Dā Hóng Guòjiào): Some lineages observe a 49-day process surrounding initiation, with red cloth ceremonial canopy (搭紅) marking the sacred space, pre-initiation purification, and post-initiation integration period. Modern practice often condenses this to a single-day ceremony while maintaining the essential energetic transmission.
Why Guojiao Cannot Be Fully Remote: While modern teachers may offer online instruction in theory and philosophy, the actual过教 ceremony requires physical presence (or at minimum, synchronized ritual with master performing ceremony on behalf of distant student). The energetic transmission (過訣 Guòjué) - the actual transfer of spiritual power - is understood as requiring direct master-disciple connection that transcends intellectual knowledge transfer.
After Initiation - Disciple's Responsibilities:
The Lifelong Bond: 过教 creates a permanent spiritual relationship - disciple to master to ancestral lineage - that continues beyond death. Initiated disciples receive ongoing protection and guidance from the师公 in this life and are believed to receive care in the afterlife. This is why misuse of transmitted power is taken so seriously - it violates a sacred covenant with both living and spiritual masters.
Related Terms:
Literal Translation: "Flower Characters" or "Decorated Characters"
Contextual Meaning: Specialized shorthand or stylized characters used in talismanic writing and ritual sealing. These are simplified, abstracted versions of standard Chinese characters, often incorporating symbolic elements and written in continuous flowing strokes. They serve as the "secret script" of the lineage.
Functions of Huazi:
How Huazi Differ from Standard Characters:
| Aspect | Standard Characters | Flower Characters (花字) |
|---|---|---|
| Stroke Count | Precise, fixed number | Simplified, flowing, fewer strokes |
| Readability | Universally readable by Chinese readers | Only readable by initiated practitioners |
| Purpose | Communication of meaning | Spiritual function and protection |
| Writing Style | Individual strokes, clear separation | Continuous flow, artistic embellishment |
Learning Huazi:
Introduction to花字 begins at Zhongjiao (中教) level, where students learn the basic protective characters. As practitioners advance through the teachings, they acquire progressively more complex花字:
The Secret Nature of Huazi: Specific花字 designs are part of the法本 (secret manuals) that are not publicly shared. Even if one saw a花字, without knowing:
...the character would remain inert. This protects the tradition from unauthorized copying while allowing legitimate practitioners to work efficiently.
Historical Origins: Some scholars trace花字 to ancient seal script (篆書) and shamanic pictographs, suggesting they preserve very old forms of Chinese writing that have spiritual rather than merely communicative functions. Others note similarities to Daoist "Cloud Script" (雲篆) used in celestial bureaucracy communications.
Practical Example: When sealing the body (封身) during initiation, the master might use the花字 for "護" (protect), "封" (seal), or "金" (gold/metal - for invulnerability). These would be drawn rapidly in flowing motions on the disciple's forehead, shoulders, palms, etc., while reciting the corresponding incantations.
Contemporary Challenges: With photography and internet sharing, some花字 have been captured and circulated online. Traditional practitioners emphasize that seeing the characters is insufficient - the energetic transmission and proper activation method remain essential for their function. Copying花字 without initiation is like having sheet music without an instrument.
Literal Translations:
Contextual Meaning: The ancestral masters of the lineage - both historical figures and spiritual presences who established and transmitted the Liuren Fajiao tradition. These are not merely remembered teachers but actively present spiritual forces on the altar who provide guidance, protection, and授權 (authorization) to current practitioners.
Who Are the Shigong/Zushi:
| Aspect | 師父 (Shīfù) - Direct Master | 師公/祖師 (Shīgōng/Zǔshī) |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship | Living teacher who initiated you | Deceased masters, spiritual presences |
| Interaction | Face-to-face instruction and guidance | Spiritual communication through altar, dreams, signs |
| Role | Technical instruction, evaluation, authorization | Spiritual backing, protection, collective lineage power |
| Altar Position | May be honored but typically living masters don't occupy central altar position | Central tablet (師公牌) on altar, primary spiritual presence |
The Living Presence of Shigong:
In Liuren Fajiao, the師公/祖師 are not merely historical figures remembered respectfully - they are understood as actively present spiritual beings who:
Why You "Report to Shigong" (報師公): Before major ceremonies, especially initiation (過教), the master performs報師公 - formally announcing intentions to the ancestral masters and requesting their permission and support. This is not optional etiquette but essential procedure. An initiation performed without報師公 is considered spiritually invalid, as it lacks the ancestral blessing that provides actual法力 transmission.
The Shigong Altar Tablet (師公牌):
The central item on a Liuren altar is the wooden or paper tablet inscribed with the names and titles of the lineage ancestors. A typical tablet might read:
Honoring the Shigong:
Practitioners maintain relationship with the師公/祖師 through:
The Filial Piety Model: The relationship between practitioner and師公 mirrors traditional Chinese filial piety (孝 xiào). Just as children honor deceased parents and grandparents, disciples honor spiritual ancestors. This creates a reciprocal bond: the living maintain the tradition and make offerings, while the ancestors provide protection and power. Breaking this bond through disrespect, unethical behavior, or abandoning practice is seen as betrayal of spiritual family.
Different Lineages, Different Shigong:
While all Liuren lineages trace back to Li Chunfeng and ultimately Jiutian Xuannu, each lineage has its own specific line of師公 - the masters who transmitted the teaching through that particular branch. This is why lineage identification (法脈 Fǎmài) matters - it determines which specific ancestral masters you are connected to and who provides your spiritual backing.
Personal Experience with Shigong:
Many practitioners report direct experiences with the師公:
Modern Relevance:
Even as the tradition modernizes, the師公/祖師 concept remains central. Contemporary practitioners may adapt altar setups for small apartments, use photos instead of tablets, or maintain digital records - but the spiritual relationship with ancestral masters continues as the core source of lineage power and identity.
Literal Translation: "Do Good, Accumulate Virtue/Merit"
Contextual Meaning: The foundational ethical principle of Liuren Fajiao practice - the obligation to use spiritual power for benevolent purposes and to actively accumulate positive karma through good deeds. This is both a moral imperative and a practical necessity for maintaining and increasing spiritual power.
Two Components Explained:
Actively engaging in beneficial actions for others and the community:
Building positive spiritual credit through consistent ethical conduct:
Why Xingshan Jide Is Essential, Not Optional:
In Liuren Fajiao,行善積德 is not merely a moral suggestion - it's a functional requirement for the tradition to work. Here's why:
Practical Applications:
The Cyclical Relationship:
行善積德 creates a positive feedback loop:
Conversely, misuse creates a negative spiral: diminished power → less effective practice → reputational damage → loss of lineage support → potential punishment.
Advancement Requirement:
Masters evaluate行善積德 when considering whether to initiate students into higher teachings:
Technical mastery alone is insufficient - the spiritual maturity demonstrated through行善積德 is equally if not more important.
Daily Practice of Xingshan Jide: Practitioners are encouraged to:
Modern Challenges:
Contemporary practitioners face unique challenges in maintaining行善積德:
Wisdom and consultation with師父 (master) and師公 (ancestral masters) helps navigate these challenges while maintaining the core principle of using power for good.
The Ultimate Goal: Through consistent行善積德, practitioners not only help others and strengthen the tradition but also advance their own spiritual cultivation. The accumulation of merit contributes to the development of the "immortal fetus" (仙胎) and ultimate spiritual liberation - transforming from someone who uses magic to someone who embodies the Dao.
Literal Translation: "Cultivation-Nourishment" or "Self-Development"
Contextual Meaning: The ongoing process of spiritual cultivation and character refinement that transforms a practitioner from merely possessing magical techniques to embodying the spiritual principles of the tradition. This encompasses both inner development (internal cultivation) and outer refinement (behavioral cultivation).
Two Dimensions of Xiuyang:
The inner spiritual development work:
The refinement of character and behavior:
Xiuyang vs. Technique Mastery:
A critical distinction in Liuren Fajiao is between technical proficiency (knowing how to draw talismans, recite spells) and genuine修養 (spiritual maturity and inner refinement). The tradition teaches:
"技術易學，修養難成"
"Techniques are easy to learn; cultivation is difficult to complete."
One can master all 300+ talismans technically but without修養, the work remains superficial and spiritually impotent. True power comes from the integration of technique with cultivated character and spiritual depth.
The Graduated Path of Xiuyang:
The Four Teachings (四教) structure reflects increasing修養 requirements:
| Teaching Level | Xiuyang Focus | Development Stage |
|---|---|---|
| Zhongjiao | Basic daily practice, establishing discipline | Building foundation |
| Dajiao | Serious inner cultivation (靈修), meditation, breathwork | Developing spiritual sensitivity |
| Sanshanjiao | Integration of practice and daily life, service to community | Maturity and expertise |
| Wuleijiao | Complete embodiment, teaching others, wisdom cultivation | Mastery and transmission |
Daily Xiuyang Practices:
Practitioners integrate修養 into daily life through structured routines:
Morning Xiuyang (30-60 minutes):
Throughout the Day:
Evening Xiuyang (15-30 minutes):
Signs of Developing Xiuyang:
As修養 deepens, practitioners may notice:
Long-Term Cultivation Journey:
The tradition teaches that修養 is a gradual, lifelong process - not a destination to be achieved quickly. The metaphor of "cultivating the immortal fetus" (修養仙胎) suggests years of patient nurturing:
The Challenge of Modern Xiuyang:
Contemporary practitioners face unique obstacles:
Despite these challenges, the core修養 practices remain relevant and necessary - perhaps even more so in a chaotic, fragmented modern world.
Xiuyang and the Ultimate Goal:
The highest purpose of修養 is not to gain magical powers or solve worldly problems but to achieve spiritual transformation and liberation. Through patient, consistent修養:
Relationship to Other Terms:
This glossary provides foundational understanding of key terms in 六壬法教 (Liuren Fajiao) magical practice. As you explore the teachings more deeply, these concepts will become increasingly meaningful and interconnected.
Understanding these terms intellectually is valuable for cultural knowledge and context, but the lived experience of these concepts can only come through proper initiation (过教) and consistent practice under qualified guidance. This glossary serves as an educational bridge, not a substitute for authentic transmission.
Further Resources: