Why does Sheng Zhen Men perform spirit-gate opening and closing rites, and why does Zhong Kui oversee them?

These rites developed gradually through Sheng Zhen Men's work. In earlier years, a small closing-day Pudu checked for wandering spirits needing help, assisted where possible, and sent them back. I compared it with having a good meal before leave ends, to make the purpose understandable.

We usually held Pudu on Kṣitigarbha's birthday near the closing time, encouraging spirits to return from leave. As attendance grew, the main ceremony moved to a holiday for convenience. We therefore added a separate small closing rite, offering a final meal to spirits still hungry before returning happily, and hoping through Kṣitigarbha's power that they could go somewhere better. This was the arrangement then, not a statement that every current year follows it.

Later, deities asked whether, since we did closing, we had considered opening. I found that reasonable and began the next year. During that recording I recalled about two or three years without a definite beginning year. This cannot produce an exact timeline or imply closing rites had existed for only three years.

Initially I did not understand in human terms how opening worked and entrusted it to deities. Only after a year or two did I gradually grasp the ritual. I understand religious rites as arising from recognition and faith, using concrete practices to give clear context to beliefs and understood energy. This is faith experience, not a claim that external reality necessarily changes to match every thought.

Students asked why Zhong Kui opened the gates rather than Lord Bao, whom we worship as King of the Underworld. I did not separately ask deities then, but explained roles: Lord Bao resembles an administrator, Zhong Kui a frontline general and security manager. An official visiting a site need not personally open its doors; appropriate personnel manage entry.

In opening rites, I understand Zhong Kui as guarding access and reminding spirits to observe boundaries outside, with corresponding closing arrangements. Administration and security are metaphors explaining our division of roles, not positions prescribed for all religions. Receiving Lord Bao and Zhong Kui, I continue exploring their meanings through descent, service, and ritual.

I believe shared human understanding and belief form collective consciousness and corresponding divine energy. Greater contact with deities has increased my attention to intention and conviction. This is my faith understanding, open to discussion, not an explanation everyone must use.

This record explains why we perform the rites and how we understand Zhong Kui's role. It is not a set of steps for independent practice at home. Knowing our purpose or attending once also does not guarantee an incident-free seventh lunar month.