Liu Men’s 1890s spirit-writing and Xiantiandao religious networks

Record summary

Late Qing lay religious networks associated with Xiantiandao and related traditions used spirit-writing, morality books and revelations attributed to deities, immortals or sages. These materials circulated through charitable halls and family or regional networks, sometimes presenting themselves as restorations of an ancient sacred teaching. They matter for comparison with Japanese automatic writing and Korean revealed scripture. Because Xiantiandao is an umbrella term applied to multiple lineages, the researcher should select a named hall, text or lineage and establish its date, authorship and transmission rather than treating the entire category as one movement.