🕯️ 开坛 (Kai Tan)

Opening Altar - Establishing Connection with the Spiritual Realm

Sanshanjiao (三山教)+

⚠️ Essential Ritual Requirement

Kai Tan (Opening Altar) MUST always be paired with Shou Tan (Closing Altar 收坛). Opening the altar invites deities, guardians, and spiritual forces into your ritual space. Failing to properly close the altar afterward leaves energetic "portals" open and spiritual entities lingering, which can cause disturbances, drain your energy, or attract unwanted presences.

Traditional Saying: "开坛请神，闭坛送圣" (Kai tan qing shen, bi tan song sheng) - "Open altar to invite deities, close altar to respectfully send off the sages."

Never skip the closing: If you open an altar, you MUST close it, even if your work is interrupted. See Shou Tan (Closing Altar) for the paired procedure.

What is Kai Tan (开坛)?

Kai Tan (开坛) literally means "Opening the Altar" - the essential preparatory ritual performed before any significant Liuren Fajiao work. It establishes a formal connection between the practitioner and the spiritual realm, invoking the presence and authority of Liuren Immortal Master, the Thirteen Guardians, and relevant deities.

Think of Kai Tan as "turning on" the spiritual workspace - creating a sacred, protected environment where ritual magic can be performed with maximum efficacy. Without properly opening the altar, talismanic work, exorcisms, healing procedures, and major petitions lack the necessary spiritual authorization and energetic support.

Kai Tan is required for:

  • Drawing and consecrating talismans (beyond basic practice)
  • Performing exorcisms or house clearings
  • Major healing interventions
  • Initiating disciples (Guojiao ceremony)
  • Making important petitions or requests to guardians
  • Festival celebrations and lineage ceremonies

开坛 (Kai Tan) 字面意思为"开启祭坛"——在任何重要的六壬法教工作之前执行的基本准备仪式。它在修行者和灵界之间建立正式联系，召请六壬仙师、十三郎君和相关神祇的临在和权威。

可将开坛视为"开启"灵性工作空间——创造一个神圣、受保护的环境，在其中可以以最大效力执行仪式魔法。如果没有正确开坛，符咒工作、驱魔、治疗法科和重大祈请就缺乏必要的灵性授权和能量支持。

开坛的必要情况：

  • 绘制和加持符咒（超出基本练习）
  • 执行驱魔或清宅
  • 重大治疗干预
  • 入教弟子（過教仪式）
  • 向郎君提出重要祈请或请求
  • 节日庆祝和传承仪式

When is Kai Tan NOT Required?

Not every practice requires formal altar opening. Simpler procedures can be performed without the full Kai Tan ceremony:

Situations that do NOT require Kai Tan:

  • Daily meditation or Qi cultivation practices
  • Emergency procedures (Hemostasis, Bone Dissolving) using Flower Characters
  • Quick protective talismans drawn in air or on palm
  • Personal renewal of Feng Shen seal
  • Silent prayers or mental petitions
  • Studying texts or practicing talisman drawing for learning (not activation)

Rule of thumb: If you're doing formal ritual work (drawing consecrated talismans for use, performing exorcisms, making petitions to guardians), open the altar. If you're doing practice, study, or emergency intervention, you may proceed without formal opening.

并非每项修行都需要正式开坛。较简单的法科可以在没有完整开坛仪式的情况下执行：

不需要开坛的情况：

  • 日常打坐或气功修炼
  • 使用花字的紧急法科（止血、化骨）
  • 在空气中或手掌上绘制的快速保护符咒
  • 个人更新封身印记
  • 默祷或心念祈请
  • 学习文本或练习符咒绘制（不激活）

经验法则： 如果你在进行正式仪式工作（绘制用于使用的加持符咒、执行驱魔、向郎君祈请），请开坛。如果你在进行练习、学习或紧急干预，可以不正式开坛就进行。

Simplified Opening for Zhongjiao/Dajiao Practitioners

The full Kai Tan procedure described on this page is the Sanshanjiao+ formal version. Practitioners at Zhongjiao and Dajiao levels typically use simplified opening protocols:

  • Zhongjiao: Light incense, bow three times to Liuren Immortal Master, state your intention, proceed with work. Simple 2-3 minute opening.
  • Dajiao: Add brief invocation of Copper Skin/Iron Bone guardians and directional acknowledgment (Four Directions). 5-10 minute opening.
  • Sanshanjiao+: Full formal procedure with all Five Steps, complete guardian invocations, offerings. 15-30 minute opening.

As you progress through the teachings, your altar opening becomes more elaborate and comprehensive. Start simple, grow in complexity.

The Five Steps of Kai Tan (Formal Sanshanjiao Procedure)

The complete Kai Tan ceremony follows a structured five-step sequence. Each step has specific purposes and traditional protocols:

Step 1: Purification (净坛 Jing Tan)

Purpose: Cleanse the ritual space, practitioner's body/mind, and altar implements of mundane and negative energies.

Procedure:

  1. Physically clean the altar area (dust, wipe, arrange neatly)
  2. Wash your hands and face (physical purification)
  3. Light purification incense (sandalwood, agarwood, or white sage)
  4. Walk around altar area clockwise with incense, "smudging" the space
  5. Stand before altar, take three deep breaths, exhale stress and distraction
  6. Recite purification mantra 3 times (lineage-specific, often includes petition to cleansing deities)
  7. Visualize brilliant white or golden light filling the space, burning away impurities

Duration: 3-5 minutes

Traditional Implements: Purification incense, clean water in bowl, sometimes salt or rice for sprinkling

目的： 清洁仪式空间、修行者的身心和祭坛法器，去除世俗和负面能量。

流程：

  1. 物理清洁祭坛区域（除尘、擦拭、整齐摆放）
  2. 洗手洗脸（身体净化）
  3. 点净化香（檀香、沉香或白鼠尾草）
  4. 持香绕祭坛区域顺时针走，"熏净"空间
  5. 站在祭坛前，深呼吸三次，呼出压力和分心
  6. 念净化咒3次（传承特定，通常包括向净化神祇祈请）
  7. 观想明亮的白光或金光填满空间，烧尽杂质

时长： 3-5分钟

传统法器： 净化香、碗中清水、有时撒盐或米

Step 2: Lighting (点灯 Dian Deng)

Purpose: Illuminate the altar, symbolically "opening" the space for spiritual presence. Light represents divine wisdom and guidance.

Procedure:

  1. Stand before altar in reverent posture
  2. Light main incense (typically three sticks or one large stick)
  3. Bow while holding incense at forehead level, state your intention for this ritual
  4. Place incense in holder on altar
  5. Light altar candles in specific sequence:
    • Center candle first (Liuren Immortal Master)
    • Left candle (Heaven realm)
    • Right candle (Earth realm)
  6. As you light each candle, visualize that realm "awakening" to your presence
  7. If using oil lamps instead of candles, same sequence applies

Duration: 2-3 minutes

Color Note: Red candles are traditional for Liuren altars (auspicious, protective). White candles acceptable as alternative.

目的： 照亮祭坛，象征性地为灵性临在"开启"空间。光代表神圣智慧和指引。

流程：

  1. 以恭敬姿势站在祭坛前
  2. 点主香（通常三支或一支大香）
  3. 持香举至额头高度鞠躬，陈述此次仪式的意图
  4. 将香插入祭坛上的香炉
  5. 按特定顺序点祭坛蜡烛：
    • 先点中间蜡烛（六壬仙师）
    • 左边蜡烛（天界）
    • 右边蜡烛（地界）
  6. 点每支蜡烛时，观想该界"觉醒"于你的临在
  7. 如使用油灯而非蜡烛，顺序相同

时长： 2-3分钟

颜色注意： 红色蜡烛是六壬祭坛的传统（吉祥、保护）。白色蜡烛也可作为替代。

Step 3: Directional Invocation (请四方 Qing Si Fang)

Purpose: Acknowledge and invoke the Four Cardinal Directions and their associated guardians/energies, establishing spatial orientation for ritual work.

Procedure:

  1. Stand before altar facing forward (North typically, but adjust to altar orientation)
  2. Face East: Bow, petition Eastern guardians and rising sun energy. Recite invocation (lineage-specific). Visualize blue-green light.
  3. Face South: Turn right 90°. Bow, petition Southern guardians and peak yang energy. Recite invocation. Visualize red light.
  4. Face West: Turn right 90°. Bow, petition Western guardians and setting sun energy. Recite invocation. Visualize white/silver light.
  5. Face North: Turn right 90° (back to starting position). Bow, petition Northern guardians and deep yin energy. Recite invocation. Visualize black/dark blue light.
  6. Center/Altar: Return attention to altar center. Acknowledge the integration of all four directions into your sacred space.

Duration: 5-7 minutes

Note: Exact invocation texts are lineage transmissions. General petition: "I respectfully invite the [Direction] guardians to witness and support this sacred work."

目的： 认可并召请四个基本方位及其相关的守护神/能量，为仪式工作建立空间定位。

流程：

  1. 面向前方站在祭坛前（通常是北，但根据祭坛方位调整）
  2. 面向东方： 鞠躬，祈请东方郎君和旭日能量。念召请咒（传承特定）。观想蓝绿色光。
  3. 面向南方： 右转90°。鞠躬，祈请南方郎君和巅峰阳能量。念召请咒。观想红光。
  4. 面向西方： 右转90°。鞠躬，祈请西方郎君和落日能量。念召请咒。观想白/银光。
  5. 面向北方： 右转90°（回到起始位置）。鞠躬，祈请北方郎君和深阴能量。念召请咒。观想黑/深蓝光。
  6. 中央/祭坛： 将注意力回到祭坛中心。认可所有四个方位融入你的神圣空间。

时长： 5-7分钟

注意： 确切的召请文是传承传授。一般祈请："恭请【方位】郎君见证并支持此神圣工作。"

Step 4: Liuren Immortal Master Petition (请六壬仙师 Qing Liuren Xianshi)

Purpose: Formally invite and petition Liuren Immortal Master (Li Chunfeng) - the central deity and spiritual authority of the tradition - to oversee and bless your ritual work.

Procedure:

  1. Stand before altar in formal petition posture (hands in prayer position or reverent mudra)
  2. Bow three times deeply before the Liuren Immortal Master image or tablet
  3. Recite formal petition (traditional structure):
    • Address: "Great Liuren Immortal Master, Li Chunfeng, Celestial Preceptor..."
    • Self-identification: State your name, lineage affiliation, initiation status
    • Purpose: Clearly state what ritual work you intend to perform and why
    • Request: Ask for Master's presence, guidance, authority, and blessing
    • Gratitude: Express thanks for past protection and teachings
  4. Visualize Liuren Immortal Master descending into the altar space, manifesting as brilliant golden light
  5. Remain silent for 30-60 seconds, sensing the Master's presence
  6. If you feel confirmation (warmth, peace, subtle energy shift), proceed. If not, repeat petition or check your state of mind/purity

Duration: 3-5 minutes

Key Principle: This is the heart of Kai Tan. All Liuren power flows from the Immortal Master's authorization.

目的： 正式邀请并祈请六壬仙师（李淳風）——传承的中心神祇和灵性权威——监督并祝福你的仪式工作。

流程：

  1. 以正式祈请姿势站在祭坛前（双手合十或恭敬手印）
  2. 在六壬仙师像或牌位前深深鞠躬三次
  3. 念正式祈请文（传统结构）：
    • 称呼："伟大六壬仙师，李淳風，天师..."
    • 自我介绍：陈述你的名字、传承归属、入教状态
    • 目的：清楚陈述你打算执行什么仪式工作以及原因
    • 请求：请求师傅的临在、指引、权威和祝福
    • 感恩：表达对过去保护和教导的感谢
  4. 观想六壬仙师降临祭坛空间，显现为灿烂金光
  5. 保持沉默30-60秒，感受师傅的临在
  6. 如感到确认（温暖、平静、微妙能量转变），继续。如无，重复祈请或检查你的心态/纯净度

时长： 3-5分钟

关键原则： 这是开坛的核心。所有六壬力量都源于仙师的授权。

Step 5: Thirteen Guardians Invitation (请十三郎君 Qing Shisan Langjun)

Purpose: Invite the Thirteen Guardians (Shisan Lang 十三郎) - the specialized spiritual assistants of Liuren tradition - to support your specific ritual needs.

Procedure:

  1. Remain standing before altar
  2. Recite invitation to the collective Thirteen Guardians: "I respectfully invite the Thirteen Langjun of Liuren lineage to attend this altar and lend their specialized assistance."
  3. Invoke specific guardians relevant to your work:
    • For Protection work: Copper Skin and Iron Bone Masters
    • For Exorcism: Altar-Protecting Guardians (Hutan Langjun) and Military Soldiers (Bing Ma)
    • For Healing: Medical guardian specialists
    • For Prosperity: Wealth and opportunity guardians
    • For Litigation: Legal affairs guardians
  4. For each guardian invoked, state your specific request clearly
  5. Visualize the guardians assembling around your altar like a celestial council
  6. Place offerings on altar (tea, fruit, rice wine) as gesture of respect

Duration: 3-5 minutes

Note: You don't need to invoke all thirteen - only those relevant to your current work. Beginners may simply invite "the guardians" collectively.

目的： 邀请十三郎君——六壬传承的专门灵性助手——支持你的特定仪式需求。

流程：

  1. 保持站在祭坛前
  2. 念对集体十三郎君的邀请："恭请六壬传承十三郎君莅临此坛，提供专门协助。"
  3. 召请与你工作相关的特定郎君：
    • 保护工作： 銅皮郎君和鐵骨郎君
    • 驱魔： 護壇郎君和兵馬
    • 治疗： 医疗专业郎君
    • 财富： 财富和机会郎君
    • 诉讼： 法律事务郎君
  4. 对每位召请的郎君，清楚陈述你的具体请求
  5. 观想郎君如天界议会般聚集在你的祭坛周围
  6. 将供品（茶、水果、米酒）摆放在祭坛上作为尊敬的姿态

时长： 3-5分钟

注意： 你不需要召请所有十三位——只召请与当前工作相关的。初学者可简单集体邀请"郎君"。

Altar Offerings (供品 Gong Pin)

Traditional Offering Arrangements

Offerings are gestures of respect and gratitude to the deities and guardians you invoke. They need not be elaborate, but should be given with sincere intention.

Essential Offerings:

  • Incense: Three sticks or one large stick. Represents communication between realms (smoke carries prayers upward)
  • Tea: Three small cups. Represents hospitality and purity. Use quality tea, freshly brewed if possible
  • Fresh Fruit: Three types minimum. Represents abundance and nature's gifts. Apples, oranges, bananas common. Must be fresh (no rotting fruit!)
  • Rice Wine: Small cup. Represents celebration and offering of essence. Can substitute with grape wine or clean water if alcohol not available

Optional Offerings (for major rituals):

  • Cooked rice or noodles (symbolic meal)
  • Sweets or candies (appreciated by guardians)
  • Flowers (beauty and impermanence)
  • Red cloth or paper (auspicious color)

传统供品摆放

供品是对你召请的神祇和郎君的尊敬和感恩姿态。不需要精致，但应以真诚意图供奉。

基本供品：

  • 香： 三支或一支大香。代表界域间的沟通（烟将祷告上送）
  • 茶： 三小杯。代表款待和纯净。使用优质茶，如可能新泡
  • 新鲜水果： 至少三种。代表丰盛和自然馈赠。苹果、橙子、香蕉常见。必须新鲜（不腐烂水果！）
  • 米酒： 小杯。代表庆祝和奉献精华。如无酒可用葡萄酒或清水替代

可选供品（重大仪式）：

  • 熟米饭或面条（象征餐食）
  • 糖果或甜点（郎君喜爱）
  • 鲜花（美丽和无常）
  • 红布或红纸（吉祥色）

Offering Placement and Etiquette

Arrangement on Altar:

  • Center: Liuren Immortal Master image/tablet
  • Front center: Incense burner
  • Left and right: Candles or oil lamps
  • Front left: Three tea cups (or one larger cup)
  • Front right: Fruit plate (arranged neatly)
  • Far front: Rice wine cup (small, not blocking other items)

Disposal After Ritual:

  • Tea: Pour into ground outside (returning to earth) or drink yourself (accepting blessing)
  • Fruit: Can be eaten after ritual (blessed food) or composted/discarded respectfully
  • Wine: Pour into ground or consume
  • Incense ashes: Collect and bury in earth, or scatter in flowing water

NEVER: Let food rot on altar, leave moldy fruit, or neglect offerings. This is disrespectful. Replace offerings when they age.

Modern Adaptations: Apartment and Travel Altars

Adapting Kai Tan for Contemporary Living

Traditional Liuren altars were large, permanent installations in temples or dedicated ritual rooms. Modern practitioners often lack such space. Adaptations maintain spiritual efficacy while honoring practical constraints.

Apartment-Friendly Altar Setup:

  • Small shelf or table: Even a 12-inch × 18-inch surface suffices
  • Printed image: Liuren Immortal Master photo/painting (no need for carved statue)
  • LED candles: If open flame forbidden by lease/safety, use battery LED candles (intention matters more than fire)
  • Incense alternatives: Incense sticks if allowed; if not, use essential oil diffuser with sandalwood/agarwood
  • Minimal offerings: Single tea cup, one fruit, symbolic wine (tiny amount)

Travel Altar (Portable Kit):

  • Small laminated image of Liuren Immortal Master (wallet-sized)
  • Travel incense sticks or incense matches
  • Tea light candle or battery candle
  • Portable offering: Bottle of tea, single fruit purchased locally
  • Red cloth (can double as altar covering and offering)

Set up on hotel desk, park table, or any clean flat surface. Kai Tan can be performed anywhere with intention and respect.

现代生活的开坛适应

传统六壬祭坛是寺庙或专门仪式房间中的大型永久装置。现代修行者通常缺乏这样的空间。适应在保持灵性效力的同时尊重实际限制。

公寓友好型祭坛设置：

  • 小架子或桌子： 即使是12英寸×18英寸的表面也足够
  • 打印图像： 六壬仙师照片/画像（无需雕刻塑像）
  • LED蜡烛： 如租约/安全禁止明火，使用电池LED蜡烛（意图比火更重要）
  • 香替代品： 如允许用香；如不允许，使用檀香/沉香精油扩散器
  • 最少供品： 单杯茶，一个水果，象征性酒（极少量）

旅行祭坛（便携套装）：

  • 六壬仙师小型过胶图像（钱包大小）
  • 旅行香或香火柴
  • 茶蜡或电池蜡烛
  • 便携供品：茶瓶，当地购买的单个水果
  • 红布（可兼作祭坛覆盖物和供品）

可在酒店桌、公园桌或任何干净平面上设置。开坛可在任何有意图和尊敬的地方执行。

Remember: Intention > Elaboration

Liu Min Philosophy: Liuren Fajiao was designed for itinerant workers without stable homes or elaborate ritual spaces. The tradition honors "百无禁忌" (Hundred No Taboos) - power functions regardless of perfect conditions.

A sincere, focused Kai Tan performed on a simple travel altar with LED candles is MORE effective than an elaborate ceremony performed with distracted, uncommitted mind.

What matters:

  • Respectful intention
  • Clear purpose statement
  • Sincere invitation to deities/guardians
  • Following the essential structure (even if abbreviated)

The guardians care about your heart, not your furniture.

⚠️ CRITICAL REMINDER: You MUST Close the Altar

After completing your ritual work, you MUST perform Shou Tan (收坛 Closing Altar).

Kai Tan opens spiritual "doors" and invites entities into your space. Shou Tan closes those doors and respectfully dismisses the entities. Leaving altar open can cause:

  • Lingering spiritual presences causing disturbances
  • Energy drain and fatigue
  • Unwanted entities entering through the "open portal"
  • Disrespect to guardians (they are not servants to be ignored after use)

See: Shou Tan (Closing Altar) for the essential paired procedure.

Traditional practitioners say: "不开坛不收坛，祸害连连" (Bù kāi tán bù shōu tán, huòhài liánlián) - "Opening without closing brings continuous misfortune."

Procedure Visualization

The following images document altar setups, offering arrangements, and directional invocations. (Image gallery will be populated as materials become available)

🕯️
Complete Altar Setup
Traditional arrangement with offerings

标准祭坛设置 - Standard altar configuration

🌸
Offering Arrangement
Tea, fruit, wine placement

供品摆放 - Offering arrangement details

🧭
Directional Invocation
Four Directions positioning

四方召请 - Directional invocation postures

Images will be sourced from the images/FaKe/KaiTan/ folder. See the Image Guidelines for contribution information.

🙏 Transmission and Practice

Kai Tan is where human intention meets divine authority. It transforms ordinary space into sacred ground, and ordinary practitioners into authorized ritual specialists.

As you progress from simple Zhongjiao openings to elaborate Sanshanjiao ceremonies, you'll develop a personal relationship with the ritual. Notice how your confidence grows, how the presence of the guardians becomes more tangible, how your work becomes more effective.

For beginners: Start simple. Light incense, bow three times, state your purpose. You don't need to master the full ceremony immediately. Grow into it.

For advanced practitioners: Don't let the ritual become rote. Each Kai Tan should be a genuine invitation, a real conversation with the spiritual realm. Maintain freshness of intention.

Above all: Always pair Kai Tan with Shou Tan. Opening and closing are two halves of one complete practice. Honor both.

Related Teachings and Procedures

Kai Tan is foundational to all formal Liuren ritual work. Explore related materials: