道教法器
序言
道教为中国固有(古代原住民)宗教,发源最早,历史有4600 余年,凡拜神祀祖者皆是,惜素欠有系统宣传,实他教所无,再者道教范围广泛,记述典籍虽然多但太深奥,而对常之用器较小着迷,甚至一些资深道者(道长与学者)也是不知本温泉(不知其本源及功效),现由常用之「法器」说起吧。
择取常见,以作展示和简介。「法器」又称法具,道具。广义而言,是指宫、观、庙及在家修持者于各色各样礼忏祈祷、祭礼仪式、斋醮法会,道场中所使用的各种器具。无论举行何种宗教仪式、修法、修持,均离不开法器的使用,只是不同宗教派别其名称或有不同(故不能说用法器是迷信)。法器种类十分繁多,而各种法器的用途、形制、大小也因时空因缘而产生了许多变化。
在道教仪式上使用法器,主要是为了使仪式具有法力的效能,从而呈现出强烈的节奏感与庄严肃穆的宗教气氛。因此,当道士在执行仪式时,除了要注重坛场的设置(如香炉、供品等的摆设)和本身的服饰(如头上的道冠、巾,身上的道服、道履(鞋)等)外,还要因应仪式所需而使用和种法器。此等法器,或有用以辟邪驱魔的,或有用以召神遣将的,或有用以靖绥(安抚平定邪怪而保持地方平静)坛场的,或有用以节制经颂的。持法器者须人与法器合一,始能通天达地,否则手持法器心不在,则枉然念经修行(自作罪孽也)。
Taoism is a religion with a history of 4,600 years that originated and was passed down from ancient aborigines in China. Though there are many writings and books on Taoism most of them
are unfortunately rather abstruse. Furthermore, there is hardly much organized publicity and propaganda of the religion. Its religious instruments and apparatus are thus not widely known.
Some of its commonly used instruments and apparatus are hereby described and explained.
These instruments and apparatus are used by Taoist masters, priests and followers in various rituals and ceremonies in Taoist temple or other venues on various different occasions. There
is a very wide variety of Taoist instruments and apparatus. They come in different shapes and sizes for different purposes. Over time they have also undergone many changes.
These instruments and apparatus are used primarily to enhance the godly power and effect of the ritual as well as uplift the sacredness of the ambience. Placement and positioning of
these instruments and apparatus such as the censer and offerings is important, so are the ways to don the Taoist outfits that include the headgear, towel, gown and footwear. There are
other instruments and apparatus that are used for exorcising evil spirits, summoning deities, cleansing the environments, appeasing stray spirits, etc.
It is of paramount importance that users of the instruments and apparatus become “one” in the process for maximum result.
古语云:经资易收,经债难偿。
參考經典
香炉
香炉 – 宫、观、庙及科仪法坛上用以焚香的法具、与花瓶、烛台供奉于坛前。 (注:每次 1支或 3支为佳)
其材料多为金属、石材、陶瓷 ,屋内的有用木造 ,形式和有大小多种:大香炉通常放置在殿外,用金属铸成,三脚或四脚;内香案(供桌)上的炉较细致。此外另有各种小型香炉如:檀香炉、盘香炉、卧香炉、塔香炉碟…等等。
令旗
令旗 – 用以发号施令的旗子。旗面为青、红、黄、白、黑五色,代表五行 (东方青色,南方红色,西方白色,北方黑色,中央黄色)并镶以齿状色边,配有飘带一条,旗杆一般为藤制。 旗子上书有:「令」或「敕召万神」等字。一般常用的有请神、 斗旗和八卦旗。
令牌
令牌 – 法坛上用以召集神将、差遣灵的作用。雷令,五雷号令牌,源于古时军队的虎符。 有金属或木质多种。令牌的一面般有「五雷号令」「总召万灵」或雷神像帅像等,有些两侧刻二十八星宿名称 ,有些没有,有些内藏响物。令牌上圆下方,象征天圆地方。
镇坛木
镇坛木 – 又称奉旨、净板、道尺,为略呈长方体之木块、顶面稍有隆起、底面平坦。 红色、紫色或金色, 正面刻有「万神咸听」四字,道尺则是在面刻「太极」图样,底部刻「道尺」二字。两端刻有乾坤、坎离四卦。在法坛上,镇木置于桌上,法师拍打镇坛木用以威吓恶鬼邪魔。
朝笏
朝笏 – 又称圭简、朝板奏等。 又称圭简、朝板奏等。原是古代朝廷上官员所执的手板,面可以记事免遗忘。在道教法坛上,仍尊古意以示师向帝奏告;朝拜时均是两手恭执朝笏于胸前,以表尊敬 ,及于上写罡步、 密咒 ,以免有错落(现今人多因面子问题而不写 )。
如意
行儀時高功(主持儀式的法師)的法器,由玉、木、竹、金屬等雕製。形狀略曲如「心」字, 有三點:首尾兩端作雲彩或靈芝形, 中央一點呈圓形,柄長三尺許 (古之形制也, 現多以除心形而制造 ) 三點暗喻「道化清」之意,亦象徵一心尊三點暗喻「道化清」之意,亦象徵一心尊 三寶(道寶、經寶、師寶)。相傳如意為黃帝戰蚩尤之兵器,具有辟眾魔、宣寶經之法力。現今道教行儀時,只有高功可以手持如意。
註:如意與秦所用的「抓癢」相似 ,但不一樣的。
也有說是秦以後由「抓癢」改造出來的。