彝族的生活，長期穩定地深深受到家支制度與祖靈信仰的影響。兩者互為表裡。因為家支制度，彝族的個人，採親子連名，名字背負三代的時間，必備的功課是背誦本家支的七代祖先名諱，也是出游社交的求生本事。因為祖靈信仰，所以死並不是解脫，如何尋找歷代祖先的來時路線，重返遠祖的祖靈之域，才是個人靈魂的最後奮鬥與歸宿。這是彝族喪葬儀式裡獨特的指路儀式。儀式中必須由畢摩（經師）念《指路經》。《指路經》穿越 1800 年，回到 90 代遠祖的祖居地，這條漫長的路是由近百個地名鋪出來的。彝族生活裡的個人有限的生命時間與家族無限的歷史時間，在生時是身影相隨，在死時是合而為一。

The life of the Yi has long been influenced by the system of lineages (家支) and the belief system of ancestral spirits. The two systems have been interworking. Under the system of lineages, each Yi's name carries his own name and his father's name, which means two generations are shown in an individual's name. Each Yi must bear in mind the names of 7 generations of ancestors before him of his own lineage and clan. It's a required skill for a Yi in his social life. Under the belief system of ancestral spirits, death isn't freedom and detachment. To find the road every generation of ancestors walked by and return to the land of ancient ancestors is the ultimate destination of an individual's soul. The way is through the road-leading recital in a Yi's funeral and burial ceremony, which is unique. In the ritual, a bimo, a teacher of Yi's scriptures, reads Chi Lu Ching, Scripture of Leading the Road. By reading it, the Yi go through 1,800 years and return to the place where their ancient ancestors lived. This long, long road is paved by the names of almost 100 places. An individual with limited lifetime in a Yi society is accompanied by his limitless family history and the two become one when a Yi is dead.