The Heavenly Lord Tai Yi of Salvation from Misery
The birthday of Lord Tai Yi falls on the 11th of the 11th lunar month(22/12/2004). Taoist believed that by reciting his name, one could dispel any sufferings and souls in hell will accend to heaven.
The Heavenly Lord Tai Yi of and Salvation from Misery is also called 'Heavenly Lord of Salvation from Misery in Response to Cries for Help', and 'Heavenly Lord of Salvation from Misery in the Ten Directions".
According to the Book of Protection and Salvation from Misery by the Lord Tai Yi, the Heavenly Lord Tai Yi of Salvation from Misery is the Great Benevolent One of the Heavenly Court's Eastern World of Eternal Happiness.
He appears everywhere, in the Heavenly Palace, in the human world, and in hell, among devils as the powerful governor. The Heavenly Lord of Tai Yi and Salvation from Misery can transform in response to the kinds of subjects to be saved, into immortal lads and jade maidens, imperial sovereigns and saints, heavenly lords and perfected ones, diamond warriors and divine kings, devil kings and powerful guardians, celestial masters and Taoists, imperial men and venerable sovereigns, heavenly heelers and officials, men and women, civil and military officials, teachers of law and of meditation, masters of wind and of rain. He is all-powerful.
"This sage is called the Lord Tai Yi of Luck in Heaven, the Great Benevolent One in the world, the Imperial Sovereign of Sunshine in hell, the Brilliant Lion King among heretics, and the Imperial Sovereign of the Pervasive Abyss in the water realm."
Functions and Temple Worship:
According to the taoist texts, there are nine Heavenly Lords:
the Heavenly Lord of Tai Yi of Salvation from Misery,
the Heavenly Lord of Salvation from Misery in the Ten Directions,
the Heavenly Lord Who Saves Sinners from the Ninth Hell,
the Heavenly Lord of Salvation from the Zhuling Star,
the Heavenly Lord of Elixirs Refined by Fire,
the Heavenly Lord of the Great Bridge of Salvation,
the Heavenly Lord of the Golden Palace Avatar,
the Heavenly Lord of Unfettered Bliss,
and the Heavenly Lord of Precious Glorious Perfectio.
The Heavenly Lord Tai Yi of Salvation from Misery is the first and chief among them. His role is "to save sentient beings with highest holiness and benevolence, extreme kindness and love, by riding the immortal cart of nine masters and shining forth the auspicious lights of the hundred treasures."
According to legends, a man in distress need only recite the name of the Heavenly Lord Tai yi of Salvation from Misery, and he will get help and relief in response to his cry for help. As for those who have accumulated merits perfectly, the Heavenly Lord Tai Yi of Salvation from Misery will descend on his immortal cart of nine masters and, shining forth the auspicious lights of the hundred treasures, lead them to ascend to Immortality.