How can procession and spirit-general performers express divine virtue?

Practising the steps and formations well, while also looking after our own behaviour, allows others to see a deity’s virtues. Traditional spirit-general performance culture has a valuable spirit, and its postures and steps can be powerful. We cannot label all participants as bad people because we have witnessed a few conflicts. At the same time, people taking part in procession groups cannot use that identity as a reason to act aggressively or fight.

What began as a celebration for a deity loses its meaning if it becomes a competition over who goes first or puts on the grandest display, or even results in members of the same community fighting one another. Deities know whether you are making a sincere effort. You do not need to prove it by winning a contest. If you want to look impressive, express your steps, energy and virtue well. Let people feel respect and dignity in your bearing, and be able to care for and protect others too.

Dao Xuan and I once looked back on a pilgrimage. At the time, we felt that deities had descended to protect us, ward off harmful influences and guide the procession around a turn. We did not push the other group’s table or provoke them. We were not certain whether a deity was genuinely present on their side. What we remember is the protection we felt at the time, and the way we maintained restraint even while having strength.