The Liberation Rite of Water and Land
Emperor Wu is also considered as one of the creators of the Liberation Rite of Water and Land, a grand and costly ritual that was supposed to last for an entire week and was designed both to save the spirits of the dead and to improve the condition of the living. This rite probably originated in the tenth century, but an account by monk Zhipan from the thirteenth century gives Emperor Wu a role in its creation. According to this account, the emperor had a dream in which a benevolent monk advised him to free the spirits of the dead from their sufferings. So the emperor called on Ch'an Master Bao Zhi to organize such a ceremony. Bao Zhi allegedly spent three years to compile the necessary texts for this ritual.
Read more about this topic: Buddhist Legends About Emperor Wu Of Liang
Famous quotes containing the words liberation, rite, water and/or land:
“Now comes this Russian diversion. If it is more than just that it will mean the liberation of Europe from Nazi domination—and at the same time I do not think we need to worry about the possibility of any Russian domination.”
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945)
“No doubt they rose up early to observe
The rite of May.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“The favor of a drop of water should be repaid as an overflowing spring.”
—Chinese proverb.
“The question of armaments, whether on land or sea, is the most immediately and intensely practical question connected with the future fortunes of nations and of mankind.”
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924)