I've long wanted to compile a list of supernatural techniques and their purposes employed by the Fat-si (Taoist exorcists/priests/monks) in Hong Kong films.

things like affixing yellow paper talismans to the foreheads of jiang-shi (hopping vampires), using sticky rice and black dog's blood.

does anyone know if such a list exists? Or any sources that could prove useful to me in my quest?

I've found this website which could prove useful...
Talismans, Registers & Magic Skills:
http://www.eng.taoism.org.hk/religious-act...lls/default.asp


I also have Issue # 2 of the old Asian Eye 'zine by Colin Geddes and his article "Black Dog's Blood & Moonbeams: GYONSHI in HK Cinema".

Any help would be appreciated!

Cheers,

- Jeff

There's an article at the Illuminated Lantern that looks pretty good:

Taoist Priests and Hopping Vampires

Thanks for the link, Terry.

I knew I'd read that article sometime before, but couldn't remember where it was. Thanks to you for pointing it out and to Peter for writing it originally.

That kind of information is exactly what I'm looking for.

Anyplace else have information that I could add to the list?

Hello,

The following two suggestions are academical but they're written by two very eminent *and* readable scholars--one a leading cultural historian and the other, a prominent economic historian. See:

Robert Hymes, _Way and Byway: Taoism, Local Religion, and Models of Divinity in Sung and Modern China_ (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2002.)

http://www.amazon.com/Way-Byway-Taoism-Rel...03041450&sr=8-1

Richard von Glahn, _The Sinister Way: the Divine and the Demonic in Chinese Religious Culture_ (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2004.)

http://www.amazon.com/Sinister-Way-Demonic...03041674&sr=1-1

If you can read French, check out this one for sure:

Kristofer Schipper, <Le Corps taoiste: Corps physique, corps social> (Paris: Fayard, 1982.)

http://www.amazon.fr/Corps-tao%C3%AFste-so...e/dp/2213030251

Thanks for that! I had The Sinister Way , but I'll have to pick up the Robert Hymes book.

Hello,

Quick word of warning. I've not read any of these books in full--professional obligations do not allow me the luxury to examine everything of interest from cover to cover--but they are, on the whole, very informative from the bits and pieces I've come across.

For non-research specialists: Robert Hymes is using the word "modern" in "modern China" in a very specific academic sense. Sinologists of high imperial China often use the term "modern China" to describe Tang and Song dynasty China (ca. 600-1200 AD) somewhat akin to the medieval era in the West. Keep that in mind.

Also, with a little bit of digging, Schipper's book has been translated into English. See:

http://www.amazon.com/Taoist-Body-Kristofe...03103577&sr=8-1

Owing to his background and scholarly history, his book is probably the most indispensable among the bunch.

If you're going to really pursue work into the fantastical, another Western scholar with a really fascinating background in Anthony C. Yu. Because of Schipper and Yu's religious training, they often have really interesting things to say about the supernatural that traditional researchers--often trained in philology and philosophy--often miss out on.

Thanks for all the information, Yi Lee. Very helpful!

I was also wondering... Maybe you can help me. What is the exact definition of Fat-si ?

and what are the hanzi characters for it?

Thanks!

Hello Jeff (and everyone else),

One of the great things about the internet is that it obviates ever having to look things up in a concrete dictionary. Since you're asking for characters, I presume you can read modern vernacular (putonghua) or classical (wenyan; "kanbun" in Japanese.) Literally "teacher of the Law," see:

http://baike.baidu.com/view/38907.htm

Note the differences among "fashi" in Buddhism, Daoism, and then finally, as translated from the West. For specifically the Daoist version, see:

http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%81%93%E5%A3%AB

I think one of my great aunts in Malaysia is fat-si. The religious situation in the family is quite complicated--my immediate family is Protestant--with Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Daoism/shamanistic beliefs all represented among relations. That noted, I'm not a believer and so I approach all of this as an outsider.

If you have some spare time, there's an interesting historical novel that provides lots of informative cultural background:

Eva Wong (trans.), _Seven Taoist Masters: a Folk Novel of China_ (Boston: Shambala Publications, 1990.)

http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Taoist-Masters...03128121&sr=8-1

Thank you, Yi Lee!

very interesting! Thanks very much for your help and the book suggestions. and also the bit of background you provided with regards to your Aunt and family relations. Thanks again!