Huxian Commentaries in Markdown

Written in markdown

## Commentary and Meditations of Huxian Worship

Year of the Water Goat (55th anniversary of the People’s Republic)

**Translator Notes: Master Yao wrote this in 2003. He began instruction proper in 1995 with Master Sun, who retired in 1999 after entrusting the line to Yao. He passed away a few years later in 2002.
Master Yao approved this final version, as it is important to him emotionally.**

My name is Yao, an unworthy Daoist of Heilongjiang. I write these words with trembling heart as a dedication to my goddess, Lady Huxian of the Northeast, for without her protection and guiding hand, I would have long since perished.

In truth, my life was not always upright. Because of poor circumstances and upbringing, I strayed from the virtuous path. My father was a Russian who, during the time of the Chinese Civil War, settled in Inner Mongolia. After the war, he was left within China, forgotten by those he aided. From my youth, I was drawn into darkness, and I sank into the life of the underworld. My body still carries the marks of gunshots, blades, and the shame of my own foolish choices.

By fortune and fate, I encountered my revered Master Sun in the Year of the Wood Dog, when I was shaking down a man in the very village I now serve. At that time I was reckless and ignorant, and he showed me the truth of my emptiness. He offered me two choices: abandon that path, or be delivered to the authorities for justice. I confessed that I deserved no second chance, but he only smiled and said, “Neither did I. But Lady Huxian gave me the strength to live on.”

In the following year, Master Sun guided me into the mountains in spring, telling me: “Stay until you learn the true nature of our Lady.” I recall little of this time, for hardship clouded my mind, but during the first week I received her words.
She appeared in the cold, wet forest like a white flame, overwhelming my unworthy eyes with her beauty. I could only bow in awe, as all beings must before the divine. She did not speak much, but her gaze pierced through me, and when she departed, the sunlight broke through the canopy and I felt her words impress themselves upon my heart.
I was told that I had squandered my life, that I was worthless, yet still I had time to change. I must renounce wickedness, embrace the ancient way, and cleanse myself of hatred and pain. Though I was not ready, I returned to my Master and recounted her words. He only smiled and said, “I, too, was not ready the first time.”

Her blessings cover the Northeast like a silken veil. She grants the farmers harvests of maize, wheat, and barley. Villagers distill white liquor and offer it at the forest’s edge, at the foot of her sacred hills. She commands fairness in trade, safety upon the roads, and kindness toward the needy. I have come to understand that the poor and overlooked are also her servants, for through their eyes she beholds injustice, and through her will she acts.

Only after many years did she deem me fit to succeed my Master. Despite his age and infirmity, he bore patiently with me for sixteen seasons. At last he retired, leaving me the guan I now tend, along with his contact for guidance, which I have humbly sought on occasion. Now, a few years onward, I dare to dedicate the rest of my unworthy life to Lady Huxian, for she has seen fit to reshape me.

# Commentary of Huxian and Her Nature
Master Yao and Student Cong Mi Bo (丛米波)

Mi Bo asks if Huxian’s worship is universal across Northern China.
Master Yao: says, “Her worship changes from Shandong and Henan northwards to Heilongjiang. As you move more north her worship becomes more important. In the middle north, and central north, Chinese often claim Huxian is just a fox monster especially in large cities. This is a confusion with the Hulijing, a monster in folklore.”

Mi Bo asks why she is concerned with the production of grain and farming of it.
Master Yao says, “Rice, wheat and maize are important staples of our people, historically moreso wheat and rice, not maize. Huxian is a deity of rice and wheat, protector of farmers and one of the cardinal gods. “

Mi Bo asks what the significance of giving children a benshen, a guardian deity.
Master Yao says, “The deity is a subordinate fox deity under Lady Huxian, given to protect a young child from mortality. It is similar to a protective pact or charm.”

Mi Bo asks what offerings of sacrifice are acceptable to Huxian, both for laity and the priests.
Master Yao says, “Regular offerings consist of grain, white liquor, and if the person is a farmer, harvested items from their field. For special occasions, it’s been observed that a community often offers a large cooked dish of noodle or grains. In some communities, it’s a roasted pig. Daoshi offer these, just not the meat. Some offerings are to be burnt, not eaten.”

Mi Bo asks when Huxian worship came to their lineage.
Master Yao says, “In the 34th year of the Kangxi Emperor,  Master Liang Qiu was traveling in rural Inner Mongolia to escape Qing era persecution. He ended up lost in the Eastern plain, eventually arriving to a hermit in Western Jilin who provided him with water and some meat of a goat to nourish him. When the Master asked the hermit why he saved him, the hermit brought him to Huxian’s shrine near his home. Thereafter, Master Liang Qiu cared for the hermit, until after his death, and dedicated himself to worship of Huxian.”

Mi Bo asks why Master Ge rejected the worship of Buddhism in the late Ming.
Master Yao says, “It came to be that he saw the way in which Buddhist worship was used to oppress the farmers, the humble, and it was enforcing a caste system among the people. Therefore, Master Ge abandoned his civil servant job in search of the reason, and thereafter became a Daoshi master and traveled across China, helping the poor and needy with their faith. It is this way where he met his end, protecting a family who he had grown close to from a corrupt tax collector. He was beheaded, but one of the sons of the family had already received instruction and continued his ways.”

Mi Bo asks how Huxian is related to the Japanese kami Inari.
Master Yao says, “The relationship is unclear due to language barriers. But the writings of Master Zhang and Yu during Manzhouguo indicate that the worship was similar, yet distinct fundamentally. Both Inari and Huxian accept the same basic offering. But while Huxian is always a woman, Inari is more common an old man, or a particularly androgynous younger man. I believe that Inari is a Japanese version of Huxian, brought over by the Qin clan.”

Mi Bo asks why it’s impolite to wear sandals around Huxian’s shrines.
Master Yao says, “Huxian does not like to see the feet or toes of her worshipers. Please wear boots or proper enclosed shoes. The feet are filthy, and must never point to a shrine.”

Mi Bo asks what rituals are off limits for laypeople with Huxian.
Master Yao says, “Laypeople should never attempt to invite Huxian to inhabit any object, invoke Huxian to cleanse or exorcise any space, or try to bargain with her. She is more than happy to bargain for things but this requires someone able to understand her nature. It’s impossible for a layperson to understand what they agree to.”

Mi Bo asks what quality does Huxian hate most in a person.
Master Yao says, “Huxian mostly hates greed and stinginess. She demands her followers are generous, benevolent and hospitable.”

Mi Bo asks if the Master has ever feared her.
Master Yao says, “I have never done anything to upset her so I would need to fear her. That said her ability to take away people’s fortunes should not be taken lightly.”

Mi Bo asks what is the problem in China that has led to corruption and poverty.
Master Yao says, “For over 400 years the Chinese people have pulled away from the Han traditions of Daoism and Confucianism. We continue to latch to foreign religions of the Dharma and the Christ, or to the worship of the Chairman himself. This is foolish, materialistic and weakens our morals. People no longer care for their families, their village or their friends.”

Mi Bo asks what as a Huxian Daoist student one should do to better their community.
Master Yao says, “One day you will inherit my responsibility. I have a village that needs me to resolve problems and negotiate things. Other students should do the same if they can go far enough.”

Mi Bo asks what special offerings to give to Huxian.
Master Yao says, “On the new years offer citrus such as the Pomelo or Mikan citrus. In the opening of summer offer the orange or green melon. When harvest of fruit concludes, offer the last of your fruits. Strawberry and peach are typical. In spring offer tea, especially high grades of tea.”
# Prayers of Huxian

By Master Yao

Prayer of the Farmer

Lady Huxian, I present my offering in gratitude for you blessing our fields with a bountiful harvest. I humbly implore you to bless our next harvest with one equally bountiful.

Prayer of the Master to his Patron

Lady Huxian, I am a humble disciple, unworthy of your mention. I beg you to guide me so that I can continue the work you have entrusted to me. May you protect my journey and watch over my students. I will, as always, wholeheartedly help your followers.

Prayer of the Village

Lady Huxian, we offer our harvest as an offering. We are but a poor village, beseeching your protection and grace. May you protect the well-being of our elders, our sons working in the fields, our daughters in their warm homes, and our children sleeping soundly in their beds. With sincere respect and gratitude, we earnestly ask for your acceptance of our offering.

Prayer for the Winter

Lady Huxian, I, your humble disciple, implore you to protect the people I protect from the harsh frosts as winter sets in the north. The days grow shorter, the crops wither, yet the people's devotion remains unwavering. May you bless every home with a warm hearth, ample food, and protection from the drafts of winter.

Prayer of the Troubled

Lady Huxian, I beg you to protect this distressed man and help him through the trials that lie ahead. May you bless his efforts and bring him success and good fortune. Protect him from disease and hunger, and grant him your blessing and safety.

Prayer of the Expectant Mother

Lady Huxian, I, your humble disciple, sincerely pray for your protection and blessing on this expectant mother. May you protect her during pregnancy, grant her strength and tranquility, and ensure a safe birth for both mother and child. May the new life born under your grace bring joy and hope.

Prayer for Exorcising Yaoguai

Lady Huxian, lend me your strength. I have set forth this offering and sigil to drive the evil spirits from this place. The cleansing of the salt, the sigil’s assertion that evil may not remain, and the might of your power are my humble tools to cleanse this space. Allow me to drive the evil away and vanquish them.

Translator Note: Exorcism should be done by a priest, and only by a priest.

Prayer as the student became the Master

Lady Huxian, your humble priest has found his successor. My student has served and learned diligently for years and is now ready to take my place. I beg you to guide him in his duties and grant him the same service you granted me.

Translator Note: This was used when Master Sun retired to be replaced by Master Yao. Master Yao indicated he has a much lengthier prayer for when his student replaces him!

Final note:
Verbatim Chinese will be provided for the prayers in the future. This is simply a translation so one can understand her worship.