1. Outline of REI |
REI is the
expression of menfs faithfulness and sincerity against
the Heaven (or Gods).
Therefore it is required for humankind to
keep the highest silence and solemnity
while they are attending
at any REI (ceremony). And everybody should behave
sublimely
and devoutly as far as they can do in front of the TEN-DAN
(TEN-DOUfs Altar: holly place of communication with Gods).
People who are
going to attend some ceremony held in front of
the TEN-DAN beforehand have to
wash their hands. The other
manners are shown below.
(Notes)
Thanks to keeping guard by Gods of the Heaven, within
the circle as much 100 strides as far from the center (of any
TEN-DAN) is preserved always a sacred and inviolable area
from where kept away any devils and demons or any other
evil spirits.
In case of necessity to keep strict secrecy such as holding
TOKU-DOU ceremonycthe above mentioned guard
would be expected to be much safer and steadier
c therefore
a eSHOU-DAN KYOU( greeting invocation incantation )
should be required at the beginning of the ceremony in
order to ask Gods to attend it and to stand guard around
the TEN-DAN so much more strictly that any evil spirits
and ghosts could never approach it.
TOKU-DOU ceremony starts with eIntroduction to the TEN-DOUf
(As for details, refer to eTEN-DOU ~ from A to Z ~f
--- HOME(1) ---).
1)
Male (men and boys) should keep their seats on the right side
of the TEN-DAN. On the other (left) side should be kept by
female (women and girls). Male and female should stand
upright face to the
TEN-DAN while a ceremony is going on.
2)
As far as TEN-DOU is concerned, male must precede female in
any action
into which both sexes are going to be brought at
the same time or by turns.
3)
Worship shall be done as follows.
(a)
Make the costume (full-dress or normal wear) neat and tidy
(b)
Keep peace of mind
(c)
Join both hands together close to body like eGOU-DOUf
(d)
Make a formal bow from the waist (eTSU-IIf)
(e)
Put forth the left foot beside the seat (mat or spot)
(f)
Holding up the train of full-dress with both hands (when one
wears long-sized dress) and fall on onefs knees
(laying right
hand down on the seat in case of female)
(g)
Lay down both handscleft hand upon right handcat the
front edge of the seat (in front of onefs knees)
(h)
Let the brow down nearly to the hands position (quickly up
and down movement shall be required)cfKOU or KOU-SOUf
4)
As soon as the worship is finished, stand up in the reverse
order
mentioned above ((e)~(g)).
5)
The last course of the worship shall be finished when one
leaves the
seat with the final eTSU-IIf. Finally one should retire
with a slight bowing
and a backward movement of the left foot
and the next standing upright with both
feet meet on the floor.
6)
Everybody should watch the firelight come from the middle
Lamp (RAUMfs
TSUU-TEN TOU). The longer he/she is watching
it, the more God bless him/her.
7)
KAMI TSU-RIIfs connection with God in incense burner should
be made just
before the ceremony.