Imi — Abstinence / Taboo

Overview

This canonical ID (18) currently groups 6 source layers with divergent titles. Milestone-1 migration preserves every layer below without inventing a single merged narrative. Status: needs-review.

Also attested under these titles

Stūpa / Relic Veneration
Shangqing Inner-God Visualization
Gohei
Astral Rites
Dadong Zhenjing Inner-God Recitation and Visualization

Research layers

Layer 1: Stūpa / Relic Veneration

Source file: 01_Buddhism.md

Practices include circumambulation, offerings, lamps, incense, flowers, prostration, recitation and installation of texts or dhāraṇīs.

Belief: Relics and stūpas generate fields of merit and embody Buddha-presence.
Reliability: A.

Layer 2: Shangqing Inner-God Visualization

Source file: 02_Daoism.md

Chinese: 上清 “Highest Clarity”
Period: Revelations of 364–370 CE and later.

The Dadong zhenjing and related Shangqing texts visualize gods residing within the body, accompanied by chants, sacred names and talismans.

Practice logic

Purify and retire; orient by time/direction; visualize bodily palaces and resident divinities with precise colors/clothing/locations; recite names or formulas; stabilize their presence; sometimes visualize ascent into celestial realms.

Reliability: A/B.

Layer 3: Gohei

Source file: 03_Shinto.md

Wooden wand/stand with folded paper streamers, used as offering, ritual emblem and sometimes yorishiro.

Reliability: B.

Layer 4: Astral Rites

Source file: 04_Syncretic_Japan.md

Stars, planets, lunar mansions and directional powers were ritually addressed. These overlap heavily with esoteric Buddhist and Chinese/Daoist astral traditions.

Reliability: B.

Layer 5: Dadong Zhenjing Inner-God Recitation and Visualization

Source file: 08_PRIMARY_SOURCE_PROCEDURE_UPGRADES_v1_7.md

Chinese: 大洞真經
Tradition: Shangqing
Authorization: HISTORICALLY TRANSMITTED TEXT + ORAL INSTRUCTION

Source-supported ritual structure

The Great Cavern scripture consists of recited stanzas integrated with visualizations of body gods/cosmic divinities, sacred names, talismans and bodily “gates.”

Practice sequence

Obtain the exact recension and its associated diagrams/commentary.
Purify and retire to a private meditation chamber.
Sit in a stable ritual posture.
Concentrate the mind and regulate conscious breathing.
Recite the required stanza.
While reciting, visualize the corresponding deity exactly as described: bodily location, appearance, garments/color and divine identity.
Where an illustration survives, use it as a mnemonic visualization template.
Visualize the deity manifesting at/guarding the relevant bodily palace or gate.
Where the section includes a talisman, study/draw/manipulate it according to the transmitted instruction.
Continue section by section rather than attempting the whole pantheon at once.
In journey passages, visualize ascent/communication with the corresponding celestial realm.
At the end of the session, let the divine images return/settle according to the text.
Close with the transmitted formula or quiet stabilization where the manuscript gives no formal dismissal.

How to learn

Historically the Shangqing master’s principal role was transmission of texts and oral instructions. A serious reconstruction therefore requires:

scripture;
revealed commentary;
associated iconography;
correct inner names;
oral/pronunciation tradition where recoverable;
sequence of talismans and visualizations.

Research caution

Later editions can reorganize early revealed material. Record the recension used.

Layer 6: Imi — Abstinence / Taboo

Source file: 13_FORBIDDEN_TABOO_RESTRICTED_INDEX_v2_1.md

Japanese: 忌み / 斎み
Class: RITUAL-POLLUTION / ABSTINENCE

Meaning

Avoid the abnormal, imperfect and polluted before/during kami service.

Associated technologies

separate sacred fire (imibi);
food cooked on that fire;
special cooking rooms/huts;
taboo vocabulary;
seclusion;
purification.