‘Banxi qingshen’ 搬戲請神 (Inviting the gods to a play), Qishen zouge, 760-761.
I reckon that spring returns to the garden of sweet osmanthus and life is thriving all around. Music plays in the grove of pear trees and harmony is permeating the air. On a fine night, aspirations are joined, and divine blessings are sought for continuing good fortune. Now, worshippers of the gods, XX, from XX village have chosen this night of XX day of XX month of XX year to cautiously prepare an auspicious banquet of meat and wine. We set it out on the stage for performance. We bow sincerely to invite: Praying against fire: The gods and deities who patrol the void and emptiness between Heaven and Earth, Emperor Gaozong of Filial Piety and Literature Who Administers Fires, the various gods of the ten temples in the Sacrificial Register of this world, the Divine King of the Five Blessings and Great Ferocity, the True Lord of the Earthly Territories of this realm, the Joyous God of Harmony and Agreement for the performers of the theatre, the Daoist and Buddhist sages and worthies of all lineages who serve the incense of longevity. Praying for sons: Immortal Zhang, the True Lord Spreading Happiness of the Ninth Heaven Who Administers Birth and Awards Blessings with Broad Benevolence and Generous Salvation, the Sage Mother Who Is the Lady Daughter of the Eastern Peak, and Marshall Gao of the Ninth Heaven Who Sends Sons. Praying for degrees and profit: The Imperial Lord Wenchang of Wide Benevolence Who Assists the Primordial, Spreads the Transformation, and Administers Prosperity, the Immortal Officials on the Left and Right Who Administer the Two Registers of Ranks and Salaries, and the Divine King of the Five Blessings and Great Ferocity. Fulfilling a vow made to a particular god: Depending on what was promised to which god. And all the powerful gods whom we hope would descend and watch the whole play.
In our concerns I and my fellow worshippers while living in this world have received many generous favours. On this day, we bow to ask for a favour from the great gods. What we ask for concerns nothing other than the matter of XX. Praying against fire: Neighbours who live close to each other worry about the prevention of fires. With the sincere minds of all worshippers, we have put on this play to pray for the good fortune of the whole area, for all to stay safe throughout the year, for the total elimination of any fire hazards and disasters, and for the repelling of robberies and any disturbances. Praying for sons: For family member XX and his wife XX, in their XXth decade of life and having no sons to continue the family line, we have cautiously divined a fine night of an auspicious day to put up this play. We pray for the dream of bears and the early birth of fine sons. Praying for degrees: For family member XX who continues the family tradition of learning and aspires to pursue an official career, now at the time of examination, we pray in advance for the gods’ blessings in fulfilling a scholar’s wish: for him to be approved by the officials of examination, for his examination papers to be read favourably, for his essays to be selected, and for him to achieve high ranks in all rounds of examination. For this purpose, we put on a play and express our sincere prayer. Fulfilling a vow: I, XX, on the XX day for the matter of XX promised a play to pray wholeheartedly for protection and assistance. Now I have been staying safe. Ever since I made the vow, I have not yet fulfilled it. Now I have chosen this fine night to put on a play to offer thanks [to the gods].
I reckon that music and songs are played along with human joys to entertain the gods. Drums and dances are performed to the utmost to please the gods; we follow the customs of the ancient and seek new celebrations. We have specially prepared a banquet to express our humble respect. With wine in goblets, we pour full to make three libations. We humbly wish that Heaven will watch over here, and the perceiving gods will come close, so that the present and the past will match like tallies, and all gods and people will share the joy.
We humbly hope that: Regarding fires: Fire sparks will vanish so that blessings will return to eliminate any disasters; auspicious stars will descend, and omens of good fortune will come one after another. Praying for sons: Light will arise from the stellar lodge of mao so that auspicious unicorns from Heaven will descend; dreams will resonate with the golden star so that phoenixes of this world will be born. Praying for degrees: During autumn examinations, the sweet osmanthus from the palace on the moon (top places in exams) will be obtained; and the spring breeze from the apricot garden will bring a message from the emperor’s palace. Fulfilling a vow: The colourful writing brush will come to life and be wielded by the immortal officer, who will write off the item that was originally promised and add the words “now fulfilled”. We also pray for [the gods’] protection and assistance, so that the household will have purity and good fortune; the family will have peace and safety; things will all go well; all undertakings will go smoothly; fires or robberies will not happen; and matters either public or private will yield benefits. Whatever we do fully relies on the gods’ protection. May the gods kindly examine and accept the offerings in the fire.
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