First, we need to understand what a consecrated ("Kaiguang") item is. In Taoist tradition, "Kaiguang" (开光) is exclusively a Taoist ritual. According to ancient texts, Kaiguang is one of the Taoist ceremonies performed to consecrate newly crafted deity statues. It involves selecting an auspicious day and conducting specific rituals to invite divine energy into the statue.

Kaiguang infuses the statue with the invisible, boundless spiritual power of the universe, endowing it with sacred efficacy. Originally, Kaiguang was performed only for deity statues, not ordinary objects. The consecration of everyday items is a later adaptation.

Thus, Kaiguang is an essential ritual before a deity statue is enshrined. There are many forms of Kaiguang rituals, which we will not detail here.

I. Types of Kaiguang Rituals

Kaiguang can be categorized by the number of items consecrated or by the ritual’s intensity:

1. Group Kaiguang
Group Kaiguang involves consecrating multiple items or feng shui tools in a single ritual. The officiating master distributes their spiritual energy equally among all items. The efficacy of group Kaiguang depends on the number of items: rituals for 3–5 items yield noticeable effects, while those for thousands of items dilute the energy significantly.

2. Individual Kaiguang

Individual Kaiguang focuses on a single item during the ritual. The master channels their full spiritual energy into that item, making it far more potent than group-consecrated items, as it absorbs the entirety of the ritual’s energy.

Kaiguang can also be classified by intensity:

3. Minor Kaiguang

The simplest and quickest form, Minor Kaiguang involves lighting incense at the altar, then using sword-hand mudras or the "Third Eye" to inscribe the Golden Light Talisman (金光讳) nine times over the item while silently reciting the Golden Light Divine Mantra (金光神咒) nine times.

4. Major Kaiguang

Major Kaiguang requires a dedicated ritual setup, including altar preparation, deity invocation, spiritual transformation, and ceremonial offerings (e.g., rooster sacrifice). The ritual typically lasts 1–3 hours and is far more potent than Minor Kaiguang.

5. Deity Statue Kaiguang

Deity statue Kaiguang is distinct because improper or incomplete consecration risks attracting malevolent spirits instead of divine ones. Temple statue Kaiguang often spans three days and includes multiple rites:

• Inviting Water to Purify the Altar (请水安监斋)

• Raising the Banner to Honor Masters (启师扬幡)

• Welcoming the Divine Carriage (迎銮接驾)

• Kaiguang Ceremony (开光科)

• Closing Rituals (圆满谢圣)
  Such rituals often coincide with grand temple festivals.

II. What Are Dharma Implements?

Dharma implements (法器) are tools used in Taoist rituals, cultivation, or daily practice. Broadly defined, any item used by practitioners—from altar instruments to personal prayer beads—qualifies as a Dharma implement.

Dharma implements fall into three categories:

1. Ritual Dharma Implements (法务法器)
Used exclusively in ceremonies, these include:

• Peachwood swords (桃木剑)

• Ceremonial tablets (朝简)

• Ritual seals (法印)

• Demon-subduing rods (拷鬼棒)

• Command flags (令旗)
  They are stored on altars and used only during rituals.

2. Personal Dharma Implements (随身法器)
Carried by practitioners, these include:

• Prayer beads (道珠)

• Qiankun rings (乾坤圈)

• Small jade pendants (玉牌)
  They assist in minor rituals, meditation, or personal protection.

3. Functional Dharma Implements (功效法器)
These retain efficacy without active ritual use, such as:

• Mountain-Sea Plates (山海镇)

• Taishan Stones (泰山石)

• Seal Stones (封牢石)

• Bagua Mirrors (八卦镜)
  Such implements are rare today, as Kaiguang-consecrated items often replace them.

III. Key Differences Between Dharma Implements and Kaiguang Items

1. Duration of Efficacy

   • Dharma implements retain power indefinitely.

   • Kaiguang items lose potency after 3–5 years unless re-consecrated or continuously worshipped (e.g., deity statues with daily incense).

2. Active vs. Passive Effects

   • Dharma implements act proactively (e.g., a Peachwood Sword attacks malevolent forces).

   • Kaiguang items work passively (e.g., wealth-attracting items require external activation).

3. Ritual Use

   • Dharma implements are essential in ceremonies.

   • Kaiguang items cannot replace ritual tools.

4. Consecration Time

   • Dharma implements require weeks or months of refinement.

   • Kaiguang items are consecrated in one or a few rituals.

5. Divine Residence

   • Dharma implements (e.g., ritual seals, flags) can host divine spirits.

   • Kaiguang items cannot.

These are just a few distinctions; many more exist.