开坛 (Kai Tan) - Opening Altar Procedure Images

Purpose

This folder contains images documenting the 开坛 (Kai Tan / Opening Altar) procedure, the ritual process of establishing connection with the spiritual realm before beginning formal ritual work.

Content Focus

What This Folder Contains

• Complete altar setup and arrangement
• Ritual implements (incense, candles, offerings)
• Directional invocation positioning
• Lighting sequence
• Offering arrangements (tea, fruit, rice wine)
• Liuren Immortal Master petition gestures
• Thirteen Guardians invitation process
• Different altar configurations (home, temple, travel)

Procedure Steps Documented

1. Purification - Cleansing the ritual space
2. Lighting - Candles and incense ignition sequence
3. Directional Invocation - Four directions petition
4. Liuren Immortal Master Petition - Central deity invitation
5. Thirteen Guardians Invitation - Specialized guardian召请

Naming Convention

KaiTan_[Step]_[Description]_[SequenceNumber].jpg

Examples:

• KaiTan_AltarSetup_Complete_Standard_01.jpg
• KaiTan_Purification_IncenseSmudging_01.jpg
• KaiTan_Lighting_CandleSequence_01.jpg
• KaiTan_Directional_EastPosition_01.jpg
• KaiTan_Offerings_TeaFruitWine_Arrangement_01.jpg
• KaiTan_ImmortalMaster_PetitionGesture_01.jpg
• KaiTan_ThirteenGuardians_InvocationStance_01.jpg
• KaiTan_Travel_PortableAltar_01.jpg
• KaiTan_Modern_ApartmentSetup_01.jpg

Teaching Level

Sanshanjiao (三山教) - Full formal procedure (Simpler versions taught at Zhongjiao and Dajiao levels)

Duration

Standard procedure: 15-30 minutes

Modern Adaptations

Images should document:

• Apartment-Friendly Setups - Compact altar configurations
• Travel Altars - Portable implementations
• Minimal vs. Elaborate - Scaling for different contexts
• Indoor vs. Outdoor - Environmental considerations

Required Implements

Images should clearly show:

• Incense (three sticks minimum)
• Candles (red preferred, number varies by tradition)
• Tea (three cups for Heavenly, Earthly, Human realms)
• Fresh fruit (three types minimum)
• Rice wine (small cup)
• Ritual bell or chime
• Liuren Immortal Master image or tablet
• Red cloth for altar covering

Connection to Closing

All Kaitan images should reference that this procedure must be paired with Shoutan (收坛 / Closing Altar). Traditional saying: "开坛请神，闭坛送圣" (Open altar to invite deities, close altar to respectfully send them off).

Cross-References

Images in this folder are used on:

• kaitan.html - Main procedure page
• shoutan.html - Paired closing procedure
• teachings.html - Sanshanjiao section
• rituals.html - General altar practices

Teaching Level: Sanshanjiao (三山教)+ Procedure Category: Altar Establishment/Invocation Last Updated: December 30, 2025