A Religious Discourse

Here is the prayer announced at the Altar of Heaven when the first Qing emperor ascended the throne in Beijing, in the tenth month of the first year of his reign (1644):

The grand Qing emperor accompanied by his ministers presumes to make this announcement to Imperial Heaven and Empress Earth. The Divine glance is without partiality. Your loving care is bestowed with graciousness. My imperial grandfather by your favour received the Heavenly decree to establish the Eastern State and so laid the foundations of the great inheritance. My imperial father, having received the sceptre enlarged the kingdom, and I, unworthy one, now continue the succession.

When the Ming dynasty approached its end a licentious swarm of rebels arose, and humanity, sunk in misery, longed for relief.

By the merits of my ancestors and by reliance upon the virtues of my kindred I marshalled my armies and delivered the people from flame and flood, swept away the oppressor and pacified the land of the black-haired race. Within and without the capital all were of one mind and the great work was accomplished. Thus the government has been established in Beijing so that the Middle Kingdom may have peace.

The ministers, officials and people have all united in saying that, the spirits having given their assistance, I should not disobey: that one ought not to oppose the will of the people: that it is necessary for me to ascend the throne and set a pattern to the nations. But, only if I received the Divine favour, can I follow the will of the people. So on this first day of the Tenth Month I announce to Heaven that I have ascended the throne and that the name Da Qing Guo [grand Qing empire] will be used and that the reign designation will be Shun Zhi. In establishing the new government I humbly pray for the assistance of Heaven and Earth, that all disorder may speedily cease, that the weapons of war may be laid aside, that the nine provinces may all be at peace, and that by a long life of virtue I may be enabled to establish forever our Da Qing Guo. This is my prayer. ¹