Sculpting Divinity: Liuyang's Teaching of Mount Hua Masters' Ritual for Spirit Mediums

This research explores the Opening the Horse Servant (kai matong 開馬僮) of Huashan jiao ritual masters in Liuyang, Hunan, through which the ritual masters transform individuals into spirit mediums. The Teaching of Mount Hua in Liuyang's Hakka community serves as a cornerstone for the creation and consecration of divine statues, highlighting the key role of these masters in local religious life. Revered as both sculptors and custodians of consecration rituals, Huashan jiao masters are revered as the architects and animators of the gods themselves, infusing wooden statues with divine vitality. The Opening the Horse Servant (kai matong 開馬僮), alongside other rituals, is dedicated to creating spirit mediums for the consecrated temples. The unique approach in Liuyang, where spirit mediums are created as needed, is similar to conventional transmission tradition and suggests nuanced ties to Daoism and Buddhism. Through a meticulous reconstruction of the Opening the Horse Servant ritual, this research aims to illuminate the intricate spiritual milieu of Liuyang.