The Prison of Fire for Demons

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Florian C. Reiter's study delves into Taoist exorcist devices essential for rituals within Heavenly Masters Taoism, both historically and in contemporary practices. It emphasizes exorcism primarily conducted for individual clients, with varying scales of ritual complexity. The research utilizes collections from the Ming Taoist Canon, including A Corpus of Taoist Rituals and Pearls Inherited from the Sea of Rituals. Reiter explores Thunder Magic Rituals from Hunan and Sichuan provinces, highlighting Marshal T'ien-p'eng, a key Thunder divinity linked to the God-Emperor of the North and rooted in Shang-ch'ing Taoism. The study examines specific exorcist devices like the Prison of Fire for Demons and various demon-prisons, alongside an array of amulets and seals used in rituals. Additionally, it introduces the Divine Stick of T'ien-p'eng, a small wooden tool still utilized today. Reiter discusses the formal process of submitting applications to the spirit Thunder administration for divine approval in exorcisms. By framing these practices historically, he defines them as integral to Heavenly Masters Taoism, illustrating how these methods and devices contribute to the salvation of individual clients and the broader society.