The Heavenly Lord Tai Yi of Salvation from
Misery
The birthday of Lord Tai Yi falls on the 11th of the 11th lunar
month(22/12/2004). Taoist believed that by reciting his name, one
could dispel any sufferings and souls in hell will accend to
heaven.
The Heavenly Lord Tai Yi of and Salvation from Misery is also
called 'Heavenly Lord of Salvation from Misery in Response to Cries
for Help', and 'Heavenly Lord of Salvation from Misery in the Ten
Directions".
According to the Book of Protection and Salvation from Misery by
the Lord Tai Yi, the Heavenly Lord Tai Yi of Salvation from Misery
is the Great Benevolent One of the Heavenly Court's Eastern World
of Eternal Happiness.
He appears everywhere, in the Heavenly Palace, in the human world,
and in hell, among devils as the powerful governor. The Heavenly
Lord of Tai Yi and Salvation from Misery can transform in response
to the kinds of subjects to be saved, into immortal lads and jade
maidens, imperial sovereigns and saints, heavenly lords and
perfected ones, diamond warriors and divine kings, devil kings and
powerful guardians, celestial masters and Taoists, imperial men and
venerable sovereigns, heavenly heelers and officials, men and
women, civil and military officials, teachers of law and of
meditation, masters of wind and of rain. He is all-powerful.
"This sage is called the Lord Tai Yi of Luck in Heaven, the Great
Benevolent One in the world, the Imperial Sovereign of Sunshine in
hell, the Brilliant Lion King among heretics, and the Imperial
Sovereign of the Pervasive Abyss in the water realm."
Functions and Temple Worship:
According to the taoist texts, there are nine Heavenly Lords:
the Heavenly Lord of Tai Yi of Salvation from Misery,
the Heavenly Lord of Salvation from Misery in the Ten
Directions,
the Heavenly Lord Who Saves Sinners from the Ninth Hell,
the Heavenly Lord of Salvation from the Zhuling Star,
the Heavenly Lord of Elixirs Refined by Fire,
the Heavenly Lord of the Great Bridge of Salvation,
the Heavenly Lord of the Golden Palace Avatar,
the Heavenly Lord of Unfettered Bliss,
and the Heavenly Lord of Precious Glorious Perfectio.
The Heavenly Lord Tai Yi of Salvation from Misery is the first and
chief among them. His role is "to save sentient beings with highest
holiness and benevolence, extreme kindness and love, by riding the
immortal cart of nine masters and shining forth the auspicious
lights of the hundred treasures."
According to legends, a man in distress need only recite the name
of the Heavenly Lord Tai yi of Salvation from Misery, and he will
get help and relief in response to his cry for help. As for those
who have accumulated merits perfectly, the Heavenly Lord Tai Yi of
Salvation from Misery will descend on his immortal cart of nine
masters and, shining forth the auspicious lights of the hundred
treasures, lead them to ascend to Immortality.