《太上老君说安宅八阳经》

At this time, the Most High Lord Lao, in the Heaven of Blessings and Virtue, summoned the holy assembly from the ten directions, together with the spirits of heaven and the deities of the earth, to come and hear the teaching. As the Most High Lord Lao expounded the profound methods of the Dao (the Way), the Perfected One of Taiji (the Supreme Ultimate), holding a court tablet, respectfully stepped forward and reported:

“I have seen that when the beings of Yanfu (the human world) build their dwellings, they often meet with calamities and difficulties. What expedient method is there that can rescue these ordinary and ignorant beings?”

Lord Lao replied: If good men and good women wish to build a dwelling, they may disturb the dragon spirits, causing the buildings to resound and the ground to crack. Whether it is the southern halls and northern rooms, the galleries and doorways to the east, or wells, stoves, pestles and mills, storehouses, boats and carts, pens for the six kinds of livestock, and even estates, monasteries, houses, covered walkways, and caves—if one offends the celestial sha, terrestrial sha, yearly sha, monthly sha, daily sha, and hourly sha, the various sha of the four directions, and other such spirit-sha, as well as the earth deities of the five directions (the earth gods who guard the five directions), the directional spirits Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Dark Warrior, Taisui (the spirit-sha associated with the year-count of the Year Star), the Yellow Banner, the Leopard Tail, the deities of the twelve hours, the taboos of the Six Jia, the Lord of the Soil, the Mother of the Soil, the Soil Bureau, the Hidden Dragon, and the like—one should recite this scripture, praying that the offense be averted and amends be made. The scripture says that these offended spirit-sha will withdraw and be sent far away to guard their respective directions, and will not dare to return and do harm.

Reciting this scripture can disperse all manner of evil ghosts, drive away illness, make the body strong and movement light and quick, and bring merit beyond measure. If good men and good women recite the scripture with sincere hearts and pray for the protection of silkworms and mulberries, they too can obtain the good reward of blessing and virtue.

If one is to build houses or repair storehouses, ox pens, horse stables, pigsties, or chicken coops, or to dig and break the soil, one may recite this scripture again and again, from three times up to one hundred times. The scripture says that in this way the Soil Bureau (the deity who presides over building upon the land) will be in accord with people, Yin-Yang will be harmonized, the orientation and placement of the house will be fitting, and one will receive the protection of the dragon spirits. Every kind of blessing will then arrive; the household will be harmonious and at peace; nothing will meet with obstruction; and whatever is sought and wished for will be fulfilled.

When the assembly had finished hearing this scripture, all were filled with great joy. They paid their respects and withdrew, and they received it in faith and carried it out.