Manzhou jishen jitian dianli 滿洲祭神祭天典禮

(Qinding) Manzhou jishen jitian dianli (欽定)滿洲祭神祭天典禮 "(Imperially Endorsed) Canonical Rites of Manchurian Offerings to the Spirits and Heaven", Manchurian title (Hesei toktobuha) Manjusa-i wecere metere kooli bithe, is a ritual compendium compiled on imperial order in 1747 under the supervision of Prince Yūnlu (Yunlu 允祿, 1695-1767), Agūi (Agui 阿桂, 1717-1797), and Yu Mingzhong 于敏中 (1714-1779).

The book of 6 juan length, written in Manchu language, was presented to the throne in 1747, and translated into Chinese as late as 1777 (with just 4 juan length). The book has 41 chapters that instruct ritual performers of all liturgic details, including objects and implements (juan 5, illustrations in juan 6), and formulas and chants to be recited. The book regulated the time, arrangements, sacrificial objects, liturgies and the wording of the various ceremonies for the sacrifices to Buddhist deities and Jurchen ancestral spirits.

It includes the texts of more than 40 chants and some illustrations of sacrificial vessels not found in the book Da-Qing tongli 大清通禮. The Chinese version is included in the series Liaohai congshu 遼海叢書 and the Siku quanshu 四庫全書.

A short alternative to this official book, called Bieben Manzhou jitian jishen dianli 別本滿洲祭天祭神典禮 or Manzhou sili ji 滿洲四禮集 "Collection of the four types of rites of the Manchus", was privately written by Suninggan (Suning'an 索寧安) and finished in 1796. It descibes, through the year, the traditional sacrifices of the Manchu people and the many customs involved, like brewing wine, making rice cakes and many other dishes, or papercuts. The book closes with illustrations of tools and a song in Manchu language. It was printed in 1801 by the Shengfei/Xingfei Hall 省非堂 and is described in the bibliography Xuxiu siku quanshu tiyao 續修四庫全書提要.