《太上说十炼生神救护经》

At that time, the Supreme Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun) manifested in various forms and traveled widely through the worlds of the ten directions, spreading the teaching and saving both the living and the dead. Appearing in accord with each age, he served as teacher to all beings and instructed them to recite constantly:

the Celestial Worthy (Tianzun) of the East Who Relieves Suffering with Compassion,

the Celestial Worthy of the South Who Cherishes Life and Relieves Suffering,

the Celestial Worthy of the West Who Relieves Suffering with Equality,

the Celestial Worthy of the North Who Relieves Suffering with Great Mercy,

the Celestial Worthy of the Northeast Who Universally Aids and Relieves Suffering,

the Celestial Worthy of the Southeast Who Relieves Suffering without Measure,

the Celestial Worthy of the Southwest Who Regards All Equally and Relieves Suffering,

the Celestial Worthy of the Northwest Who Transforms through Kindness and Relieves Suffering,

the Celestial Worthy of the Upper Direction Who Is Universally Compassionate and Relieves Suffering,

the Celestial Worthy of the Lower Direction Who Vastly Delivers and Relieves Suffering.

Lord Lao said: “Receive my teaching and reverently recite the holy names of these Celestial Worthies of the ten directions who relieve suffering, and you will redeem the sins and relieve the suffering of afflicted souls, so that they may attain awakening and liberation. You four classes of beings—lay men and women, and men and women who have left household life—have, through the three karmas of body, speech, and mind and the six faculties of eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind, committed every kind of offense: killing, theft, and sexual misconduct; greed, anger, and jealousy; ignorance and deluded inversion; false speech, frivolous and empty speech, harsh words, sowing discord, and abuse and curses; turning against the principles of Heaven and the way of Earth, and failing in filial piety, righteousness, humaneness, and uprightness. The roots of these offenses are beyond number, and so calamities are brought about.

“If one can uphold this true scripture (Jing) and reverently invoke the holy titles of the Celestial Worthies, all may receive deliverance and attain liberation. Orphaned souls and lingering spirits—the dead who have no refuge and remain undelivered—may be reborn in the heavenly realms, and sins as numerous as dust and sand may be extinguished. As for the four classes of beings still living in the world, if they constantly purify body and mind and recite this scripture, all manner of calamities may likewise be removed, their lifespan extended, and body and mind set at peace. You should bow and take refuge in the Celestial Worthies, reverently believe and accept the teaching, and practice in accordance with it.”