Exploring the Musical Aspects of Taoist Blessing Rituals within the Gexianshan Lingbao Sect of Taoism in Shangrao, Jiangxi

Abstract

The melodic investigation into the 'Blessing Rituals' undoes a paramount facet of the Ge Xianshan Lingbao Sect, exemplifying its quintessential ritual music. This musical tradition encapsulates not only the tenets of national culture but also encapsulates modes of production, ways of life, and the heartfelt expressions of Shangrao, Jiangxi Province's local customs and sentiments. Beyond this, it mirrors the tapestry of local sociocultural evolution, illustrating the unceasing rejuvenation and propagation of Lingbao ritual music culture rooted in the foundation of 'human nature'. As such, it has evolved into a shared historical reservoir amongst the populace, epitomizing the regional reverberations of 'musical distinctiveness'. Central to this research is an exploration into the musical compositions of Lingbao Sect's 'Blessing Rituals', bolstered by an ethnomusicological framework and underpinned by the tenets of religious ritual musicology. By means of direct engagement with the custodians of Jiangxi's intangible cultural heritage, the study endeavors to trace the origins, forms, and historical trajectories of the ritual music performances. Through this meticulous analysis, the cultural paradigms and sociocultural phenomena encapsulated within the musical cadences of 'Blessing Rituals' are unveiled. Moreover, it lays bare the 'localized' attributes of Lingbao Sect's Taoist ideologies and philosophies, illuminating the collective ethos embedded in the cultural continuum of Gexianshan Mountain in Shangrao. The melodic tapestry reverberates not only with the spirit of this locale but also resonates with the profound ideological underpinnings of 'Lingbao Taoist' thought."