《太上洞玄灵宝灭度五炼生尸妙经》

The Supreme Wondrous Scripture of the Numinous Treasure of the Cavern Mystery on Deliverance and the Five Refinements of the Living Corpse

Volume One

The Celestial Worthy (Tianzun) was teaching and transforming seven thousand two hundred and forty youths in the Fragrant Forest Garden of the Lodge of Lasting Joy. When the main part of the ritual teaching had been expounded, the Youth of Superior Wisdom, the Youth of the Turning Heavens, and the others came forward, bowed, and addressed the Celestial Worthy:

"Today we are able to attend you at your seat, and our joy is beyond words. The heavens have granted amnesty, and light has returned everywhere. The beings in the hells of the dark prisons, the souls long afflicted by cold, and the hungry ghosts and the dead who sink through the Three Paths and Five Sufferings have all been delivered and can return to places of blessing. The Three Officials (Sanguan) who govern life and death have also ceased their pursuit, and both the living and the dead are glad and at peace.

"Yet some departed spirits, though they have just left the realm of darkness, have not yet entered the cycle of rebirth. The corpse spirits have dispersed, and the bones decay with nothing to rely on, buried beneath the Nine Earths and drifting aimlessly through the underworld. Their hun and po souls wander with nowhere to turn and cannot return to places of blessing. The underworld presses them to gather, their bodies find no rest, and they must continue to bear sorrow and oppression, pleading upward to the heavens.

"Now that amnesty has been received, all things should be renewed. The Great Dao (Dao) has become open to passage, and its grace should reach the ten directions. We have heard that the Celestial Worthy bestows compassion widely, and we earnestly ask that you extend your kindness to all beings: let those who should be delivered be delivered, let those who should be reborn be reborn, and let those who should return return.

"If their ties to the human world are not yet ended and they cannot depart for now, then their bodies remain in their former dwellings, sealed away beneath the Nine Springs. Pressed upon by the many spirits, they cannot tolerate one another. Their wandering souls have no place to settle, and may even bring trouble upon their descendants. Since the teaching of the Great Dao has now arisen, it is fitting that these sufferings be universally removed.

"We ask what essential method there is within the teachings by which this request may be conveyed downward and announced to the Earth Officials (the deities who govern the underworld), so that the departed may be settled, comforted, and cared for, and all may be at peace. We also ask that the responsible divine offices guard their bodies and souls. If we receive your compassion and pity, the world will be tranquil, the living and the dead will no longer harbor resentment, and blessings will continue for hundreds of millions of kalpas, generation after generation without end."

Thereupon the Celestial Venerable issued a universal decree to the Heavenly Lords of all the heavens, the Wuji Great Dao Lord of Supreme Highness, and the Right Offices of the Nine Bureaus (divine administrative institutions of the celestial realm), commanding them to protect and care for the bodies of these beings. If such compassion is received, the whole celestial realm will be tranquil and joyful, the living and the dead will bear no resentment, and blessings will continue through hundreds of millions of kalpas, generation after generation without end.

Thereupon the Celestial Venerable again issued a universal decree to the Heavenly Lords of all the heavens, the Wuji Great Dao Lord of Supreme Highness, the great sages of the ten directions, the Lords and Elders of Perfect Truth, the Flying Heaven Divine Kings, the Five Elders and Sovereign Lords, the Southern Supreme Sima of Cherishing Life and Saving the World, the Recorder of Registers and Director of Destinies, the Supreme Sages of Long Life, the Jade Maidens of Mysterious Harmony, the Perfected Ones (zhenren), and the countless multitudes of spirits, commanding them all to take their seats once more.

Now I shall further open the many gateways of the Dharma for the Youths of Supreme Wisdom, and expound the ancient scriptures of Longhan and Xuandu, together with the Nüqing jade texts held in the jade caskets of the Nine Depths. Through them I shall deliver the hungry ghosts and departed souls from the prisons of the dark hells, the cold realms of accumulated night, and the Three Paths and Five Sufferings, so that all may behold the light.

I shall proclaim to all the heavens and expound the natural mysterious texts in jade characters of every chapter. I shall announce this to all the heavens and all the earths, the water palaces, the sun, moon, and constellations, the Xuanji and Yuheng (the pivotal mechanisms governing the movements of the heavenly bodies in the Three Realms), the Five Emperors of the Three Realms, the sacred mountains of the Five Peaks, the spirit officials of the Nine Lands, and the realms of Dongyuan, Dongyuan (Abyss), Dongkong, Dongling, and Dongwu. Whether they be boundless and limitless, neither high nor low, without form or color, without sound or echo, neither great nor small, all the spirits must clearly discern their respective duties.

Now, for the condemned souls of past ages under their command, they shall register and explain, item by item, their good and evil deeds, their merits and faults, and the relevant years, months, and days. They shall separately ascertain the places where these souls originally dwelt and where their remains lie, and settle and console them according to the realm to which they belong. Under the protection of the earth spirits, provision shall be arranged for them so that they are not disturbed, and each shall be dealt with according to merit and virtue: those who should be moved shall be moved, those who should be delivered shall be delivered, those who should be reborn shall be reborn, and those who should receive life shall receive life. The lines in the scripture, "Registers fall to earth and are collated; oaths are severed from the water; the heavenly text is erased from the ink," mean that the relevant documents and covenants are further recorded, checked, and clarified, so that everything is made manifest and nothing is left hidden.

Thereupon the Youths of Supreme Wisdom of the Four Assemblies joyfully made obeisance, raised their hands and snapped their fingers together, and with one voice proclaimed, "Excellent!"

At this time the sovereign lords of the Thirty-two Heavens each took their seats and commanded the flying celestial deities to mount the Ziyang Jade Terrace (the purple jade dais of the celestial realm), open the Mingzhen Jade Casket (the jade casket in which celestial documents are kept), and take out the Wuliang Dongzhang, the Limitless Cavern Stanzas, from the celestial Jade Scripture of Numinous Sounds and Spontaneity. This was entrusted to the Earth Officials, to deliver all the dead, so that their corpses might rest securely and their spirits be settled, their hun and po souls preserved and their Jing (essence) and Shen (spirit) gathered in.

The Taihuang Huangzeng Heaven, the Taiming Yuwan Heaven, the Qingming Hetong Heaven, the Xuantai Pingyu Heaven, the Yuanming Wenju Heaven, the Qiyao Moyi Heaven, the Xuwu Yueheng Heaven, and the Taiji (Supreme Ultimate) Mengyi Heaven—eight heavens in all. Each heaven has eight characters, sixty-four characters altogether, placed under the charge of the Heavenly Lord of the Nine Qi (vital energy) of the East. Obeying the command of the Taixuan Nüqing Talisman, the Azure Emperor of the East notifies the numinous officials of the Nine Bureaus of the Eastern Earth Office to open the deliverance of all departed souls of the East, so that their corpses may be securely settled, and to guard, tend, and relieve them. The Earth Officials are not permitted to drive them away, press them, or disturb their corpses. All is to follow what the Nüqing documents prescribe and be carried by the relay of the golden dragons.

The Chiming Heyang Heaven, the Xuanming Gonghua Heaven, the Yaoming Zongpiao Heaven, the Zhuluo Huangjia Heaven, the Xuming Tangyao Heaven, the Guanming Duanjing Heaven, the Xuanming Gongqing Heaven, and the Taihuan Jiyao Heaven—eight heavens in all. Each heaven has eight characters, sixty-four characters altogether, placed under the charge of the Heavenly Lord of the Three Qi of the South. Obeying the command of the Taixuan Nüqing Talisman, the Red Emperor of the South notifies the numinous officials of the Nine Bureaus of the Southern Earth Office to open the deliverance of all departed souls of the South, so that their corpses may be securely settled, and to guard, tend, and relieve them. The Earth Officials are not permitted to drive them away, press them, or disturb their corpses. All is to follow what the Nüqing documents prescribe and be carried by the relay of the golden dragons.

The Yuanzai Kongsheng Heaven, the Tai’an Huangya Heaven, the Xianding Jifeng Heaven, the Shihuang Xiaomang Heaven, the Taihuang Wengzhong Heaven, the Wusi Jiangyou Heaven, the Shangdie Ruanle Heaven, and the Wuji Tanshi Heaven—eight heavens in all. Each heaven has eight characters, sixty-four characters altogether, placed under the charge of the Heavenly Lord of the Seven Qi of the West. Obeying the command of the Taixuan Nüqing Talisman, the White Emperor of the West notifies the numinous officials of the Nine Bureaus of the Western Earth Office to open the deliverance of all departed souls of the West, so that their corpses may be securely settled, and to guard, tend, and relieve them. The Earth Officials are not permitted to drive them away, press them, or disturb their corpses. All is to follow what the Nüqing documents prescribe and be carried by the relay of the golden dragons.

The Haoting Xiaodu Heaven, the Yuantong Yuandong Heaven, the Hanchong Miaocheng Heaven, the Xiule Jinshang Heaven, the Wushang Changrong Heaven, the Yulong Tengsheng Heaven, the Longbian Fandu Heaven, and the Pingyu Jiayi Heaven—eight heavens in all. Each heaven has eight characters, sixty-four characters altogether, placed under the charge of the Heavenly Lord of the Five Qi of the North. Obeying the command of the Taixuan Nüqing Talisman, the Black Emperor of the North notifies the numinous officials of the Nine Bureaus of the Northern Earth Office to open the deliverance of all departed souls of the North, so that their corpses may be securely settled, and to guard, tend, and relieve them. The Earth Officials are not permitted to drive them away, press them, or disturb their corpses. All is to follow what the Nüqing documents prescribe and be carried by the relay of the golden dragons.

As for the Daluo Heaven, tier upon tier, lofty and remote, boundless and without summit, formless and colorless, its spontaneous jade script is placed altogether under the command of the Yellow Prime Heavenly Lord of the Center. Obeying the command of the Taixuan Nüqing Talisman, the Yellow Emperor of the Center notifies the numinous officials of the Nine Bureaus of the Central Earth Office to open the deliverance of all departed souls of the Center, so that their corpses may be securely settled, and to guard, tend, and relieve them. The Earth Officials are not permitted to drive them away, press them, or disturb their corpses. All is to follow what the Nüqing documents prescribe and be carried by the relay of the golden dragons.

Each heaven further commands the Flying Celestial Spirit-Kings to proclaim the Nüqing talismanic mandate, taken from the celestial Jade Scripture of Numinous Sounds and Spontaneity, to the Five Emperors of the Five Directions and to the numinous officials of the Earth Offices of the Five Sacred Peaks. The numinous officials of every direction, in accordance with the talismanic mandate, securely settle the corpses and guard and relieve them. The Earth Officials are not permitted to drive them away, press them, or disturb their corpses; and all are to revere and uphold this great ritual law.

Once the Dao (the Way) of Heaven had been made manifest, the sky grew bright and the air clear and pure. The sun, moon, and stars seemed to halt in their courses; the light of the constellations shone through, and the Xuanji in the heavens (the stellar configuration symbolizing the movement of the celestial bodies) no longer turned. Rivers and seas fell silent, and the mountains drew in their mists. The seasons were mild and the air fresh; the autumn wind swept the dust away. The sky was free of clouded haze, and the sun and moon were soft and bright. The five kinds of suffering were thereby dispelled, and the souls in the dark, endless night had their way opened. Withered trees burst into flower, and dead bones regained human form. The qilin danced and the phoenixes took flight, while the birds sang with joy. The divine hosts of all the heavens rejoiced and leapt, scattering flowers and offering praise. The Celestial Worthy was glad at heart and intoned a hymn, saying:

The Qi (vital energy) of Chiming (Red Brilliance) circulates and transforms on every side; from within an undifferentiated whole, the myriad things are in turn differentiated. Yin and Yang (Yin-Yang) undergo unceasing refinement and change—such is the inherent working of the Dao (the Way). The mysterious diagrams and methods pass through seven transformations and, at the ninth, return once more to the origin.

The numinous chapters on the origin of life are preserved in the boundless Dongxuan (Cavern of Mystery) scriptures (Jing). These chapters set forth the Way of impermanent change and gather the dawn Qi of the Nine Heavens. Sunlight opens in secret, and scenes of radiance appear, borne upon vapors.

Through three cycles and five refinements, they are then harmonized with seven kinds of fluids. As the various colors display their brilliance, each returns to its original divine nature. Delivered according to the vast methods, even decayed bones and corpses can recover human form.

Treasure this mysterious Great Dao, and one may ascend to the realm of the Shangzhen (higher-ranking perfected immortals). Sunlight opens in secret, and scenes of radiance appear, borne upon vapors.

Through three cycles and five refinements, they are then harmonized with seven kinds of fluids. As the various colors display their brilliance, each returns to its original divine nature. Delivered according to the vast methods, even decayed bones and corpses can recover human form.

Treasure this mysterious Great Dao, and one may ascend to the Shangzhen. Returning to Yuanshi (the Primordial Beginning) and undergoing five refinements, one may reach the ultimate Dao and become a superior numen. Its radiance shines upon the sun and moon and thoroughly illumines the nine directions of darkness and light.

The many heavens open the gates of grace and pardon, so that the dark realm of night returns to mysterious clarity. Decayed bones and corpses attain liberation; through refinement they can generate bodily form anew. Breathing the numinous harmonious Qi, one passes through the realm of darkness and enters the underworld.

Wondrous and unfathomable, with transformations beyond number: the hun and po souls ascend in flight, and bodily form is restored. Riding the vapors and steering through the void, one rises into the celestial court. The Jade Writ (a sacred edict) transmits its command, bringing peace and stability to the netherworld.

All who receive deliverance may universally enter the realm of light. Whoever holds this precious scripture may be transformed and reborn from life to life. If one rashly divulges it, or through negligence lets the scripture be scattered and lost, one will suffer the punishment of the wind-knives.

The jade stanzas and numinous writ give forth a vermilion radiance; the Five Numina congeal Jing (essence), and their brilliance shines throughout the ten directions.

The four quarters and eight directions each occupy their own stations and accord with the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water); the constellations, the sun and moon, and the Qi of Yin-Yang interpenetrate one another.

One establishes and upholds the Way of the Tianzhen (Celestial Perfected), protecting the Supreme Sovereign, and opens the methods for teaching living beings, so that all beings alike receive instruction.

Throughout the vast, all-embracing great chiliocosm, the methods of the Dao flourish; the joy upon the golden throne is beyond the power of words.

The many heavens rejoice and leap with delight, singing the numinous chapters; they open my wondrous Dao, so that the Shaotong (a title or honorific for Daoist deities and perfected beings) may awaken.

May you be generated without cease through millions of kalpas. The Way of the Tianzhen upholds the Supreme Sovereign and opens the methods for teaching living beings, so that all beings alike receive instruction.

Throughout the vast, all-embracing great chiliocosm, the methods of the Dao flourish; the joy upon the golden throne is beyond the power of words.

The many heavens rejoice and leap with delight, singing the numinous chapters; they open my wondrous Dao, so that the Shaotong may awaken.

May you be generated without cease through millions of kalpas, pass through nine transmutations, accomplish the true Dao, and take your place among the immortal kings.

This scripture should be secretly treasured in the heart, carefully guarded, and not transmitted.

When the Celestial Worthy had finished chanting the scripture (Jing), the High Gods of the various heavens, the Limitless Supreme Lord of the Great Dao (the Way)—the supreme and unsurpassed venerable deity of the Great Dao—the hosts of Limitless Perfected Great Sages of the ten directions, together with the Divine Kings who fly through the heavens, the Five Elder Supreme Lords, the Southern Superior Minister of Cherishing Life and Saving the World (the divine office charged with cherishing life and delivering the world), the Registrar, the Director of Destinies, the Superior Spirits of Long Life, the Jade Maidens of Mysterious Harmony, the various Primal Ladies and Numinous Consorts, the Perfected, and countless beings, along with seven thousand two hundred and forty youths, all rose together, offered incense, and scattered flowers. They circled three times to the left, then returned to their places, paid homage facing north, and raised their hands to snap their fingers.

At that moment the sun, moon, and stars of the thirty-two heavens shone forth together in brightness. The Ninefold Darkness beneath the earth (the dark and profound netherworld) and the boundless cavernous abysses likewise sent forth clear light. Darkness was no more, and every hidden place stood fully revealed. What lay stored within the earth (the things concealed underground) came into view, and gold and jade showed their forms. Mountains, streams, and ravines grew level and open. White bones received Qi (vital energy) once more, and decayed corpses revived, their souls returning. The nine lands were pure, peaceful, and secure; the Earth Officials were at rest; and living beings were universally delivered, with none left out.

The teaching of the Great Dao spread abroad, and the imperial Way (the way by which emperors govern the world) was thereby brought to light. The scriptural text announced to the sun, moon, and stars of the heavens, to the Rotating Armillary and Jade Traverse (instruments for observing celestial phenomena), to the Southern Dipper and the Northern Dipper, to the Directors of Destinies and the Registrars, to Lord Han who presides over the registers, to the Upper Palace of Nanchang, and to every region and every water, the numinous mountains of the Five Marchmounts, the Three Officials and the Nine Bureaus, the twelve river sources, the Bureau of Endless Night, and the Four Offices and Five Emperors within the Ninefold Darkness, together with all divine spirits: all should observe this great law, join in celebration, and take this moment as a new beginning. Whether above or below, far or near, dark or concealed, at the margins or at the center, and whether great or small, at the beginning or at the end, every spirit should snap the fingers to transmit the command, comply with it, and carry it out.

The Numinous Treasure Azure Emperor’s Celestial Script of the Nine Qi for Refining and Delivering the Five Immortals, Settling the Numina, and Anchoring the Spirits (the celestial script of the nine Qi concerned with the Azure Emperor’s refining and deliverance and with settling the spirits).

The Azure Heaven of the Nine Qi (vital energy) of the East, acting on the talismanic mandate of the Primordial Heavenly Worthy, proclaims to the numinous officials of the boundless worlds of the East and of the divine townships of the Earth Bureau: there is now a disciple of pure faith of the Most High, so-and-so, who carries out the method of deliverance-by-extinction of the Five Immortals, lodging the corpse with the Great Yin. Such-and-such a realm has already prepared palace chambers for him. Sovereign Earth shelters his bodily form, so that he may clearly receive the orthodox teaching and be given comfort and care. The azure numina feed him with sweet dew; the Nine Qi gather like the clouds of dawn; the radiance of Jing (essence) fills him. His frame is regulated, refined, and set in order, so that the bones become fragrant and the flesh gives forth scent, and through a hundred million kalpas they are not destroyed. The Eastern Marchmount, Mount Tai, shall open the bureau of the long night of the dark underworld, release so-and-so’s soul and Shen (spirit), bathe him, change his clothes, and set a cap upon him, transfer him to the Southern Palace, and supply him with clothing and food, so that he may dwell long in the light, untroubled by deviant demons. All spirits and divinities are to attend, serve, and guard him and secure his place. Everything is to be carried out according to the ancient statutes of the Nüqing Writ in the covenant of the Primordial Heavenly Worthy.

This text is written on blue-green stone. After the master has completed the rite of presenting the memorial, the document is buried at the eastern boundary of the tomb where the deceased’s corpse lies. At the moment of burial, the master treads nine paces of the Pace of Yu, goes to the place of interment, faces east, and reads aloud the large characters and the main text. When the reading is finished, he clicks his teeth twenty-four times, swallows Qi nine times, and then recites the incantation:

By the talismanic mandate of the Primordial Heavenly Worthy, let it be made known throughout the boundless worlds of the East and the divine townships of the Earth Bureau, and to the general office of the Nine Qi of the Cavern of Emptiness, the Cavern of Nonbeing, the Cavern of Mystery (Dongxuan), and the Cavern of Origin, to the divine officials of the Three Realms, and to all spirits of the dark underworld. Today is a day of great auspiciousness; the Yang Qi of the Azure Heaven is newly arising. The honored divine carriage arrives here to preside over the orthodox teaching. The myriad ways open and grant passage; Jia-Yi obtains deliverance, and the corpse is lodged in the Mysterious Chamber. The soul and Shen of the disciple of pure faith of the Most High ought to ascend. The Five Immortals bathe and set their garments in order. The bodily form receives the protection of the Numinous Prison, and for this the great earth opens forth light. We respectfully invite the Jade Maidens to settle the palace of the Shen; the attendant guards stand by to watch and protect, and all that is needed is spontaneously supplied in full. We await the soul and Shen returning to answer the corpse, to be received by the Supreme Thearch. All is enacted according to the ancient statutes of the Mingzhen.

When the incantation is finished, the document is buried in the earth.

The Cinnabar Heaven of the Three Qi (vital energy) of the South, bearing the talismanic mandate of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun), issues orders to the boundless worlds of the South, the divine mansions beneath the earth, and all the spirit officers:

There is now a pure-faith disciple of the Most High, so-and-so, who has already caused the Five Immortals to leave the bodily form and lodge for a time within the Great Yin (Taiyin). He is now ordered to be given a dwelling in such-and-such realm, borrowing the soil of Sovereign Earth (Houtu) to shelter the body, so that he may clearly receive the orthodox law and obtain comfort and compassionate care. The Red Spirits shall nurse him with milk and malt sugar, bathing and nourishing him in the Cinnabar Pool of the Three Qi, so that his Jing (essence) and Qi grow radiant and full; they shall then refine, restore, and repair the bodily frame, making the bones fragrant and the flesh clean, so that even after a hundred million kalpas it will not decay.

The Southern Marchmount, Mount Heng, shall open the mansions of the Long Night and the Ninefold Darkness, welcome forth the cloud-soul and Shen (spirit) of so-and-so, bathe him, change his garments, and set a cap upon him, transfer him to the Southern Palace, supply him with clothing and food, and cause him to dwell long in the light, free from harassment by demons. All spirits are to attend and guard him and to settle and secure the place. All of the above shall be carried out in accordance with the ancient canon of the Primordial Beginning Illuminating the True, the Nüqing Text (Nüqing Wen).

Write this document in azure characters upon a red stone. After the master has bowed and presented the yellow-silk memorial (a petition written on yellow silk), bury the document to the south of the grave where the deceased’s body lies. When the burial of the text is at hand, the master advances three paces in the Pace of Yu (Yubu; the stepping method used in Daoist ritual). On reaching the appointed place he faces south, finishes reading the large characters at the head of the piece and the main text, then clicks his teeth twenty-four times, swallows Qi three times, and recites the incantation:

The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning issues a mandate in the form of Fulu (talismans and registers), making it widely known to the divine officials of the earth offices in the Boundless World of Southern Cinnabar, to the chief administrators of Cavern Emptiness, Cavern Nonbeing, Cavern Mystery (Dongxuan), and the Three Qi (vital energy) of Spontaneity, and to all the divine kings of the underworld, the spirit realm, and the Three Realms, inviting them jointly to oversee and witness the covenant.

Today is an auspicious day. The sun shines upon the cinnabar realm; the souls of Jia and Yi return into the mysterious realm, rest upon the corpse within the Nine Mysteries, and take their place among the Flying Heavens. Although the hun and po for a time endure the suffering of transmigration, the hun has already ascended to Zhuling; after refining and deliverance, they may become Five Immortals. If merit and practice have not yet reached the realm of Dongzhen (Cavern of Perfection), the divine officials of the earth offices shelter the bodily form. The domains of the four directions are to be opened and the spirit palaces set at peace; at the place where the deceased abides, he is to be guarded and upheld, supplied with what is needed, and received and attended with care, so that no power may disturb the spirit palace or offend the divine realm. The charge transmitted by Mingzhen is to be obeyed by all the gods. When the rite is complete, the document is buried in the earth.

The Central Prime Heavenly Writ of the Numinous Treasure Yellow Emperor for Refining and Delivering the Five Immortals, Settling the Numina, and Anchoring the Spirits

The August Heaven of the Central Prime receives the Fulu mandate of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning and notifies the ninefold earth offices of the center, the divine homeland of the Cavern Ultimate, and the spirit officials who govern the four directions:

There is now a disciple of pure faith of the Most High, a certain person, who is undergoing the refining and deliverance by which, through extinction, he becomes one of the Five Immortals; his hun and po rest in reliance upon the land of mysterious Yin. A palace chamber is now to be established for him in a given realm, so that his bodily form may receive the shelter of Sovereign Earth. The gods shall clearly obey the Fulu mandate of the orthodox law, comfort and tend him, and nourish him with the Qi of Yellow Primordial Origin, causing his Jing (essence) and Qi to pour in, full and deep; they shall refine, nurture, and restore his bodily frame, so that the bones are fragrant and the breath pure and scented, sharing one root and one origin with Shen (spirit), and enduring through a hundred million kalpas.

The divinities of the Central Marchmount, Mount Song, shall open the bureau of the eternal night and the Nine Darknesses, release the hun-spirit of Jia and Yi, bathe him, change his garments, set a cap upon him and bind his sash, then transfer him to the Southern Palace, supply clothing and food, and let him long abide in light, free from the harassment of demons and deviant forces. All spirits shall attend, guard, and settle his dwelling. These arrangements are to be carried out according to the Nüqing Writ in the old canon of the Primordial Beginning and Mingzhen.

The ritual master writes this document in cinnabar on a yellow stone. After completing his obeisance to the yellow-silk petition, he buries the document at the center of the place where the body of the deceased lies. At the moment of burial, the ritual master takes twelve paces in the Yu Steps (the pacing method of Daoist ritual), reaches the designated spot, faces the central direction of the stems wu and ji, and finishes reading the large characters and the document. He then clicks his teeth twenty-four times, swallows Qi (vital energy) twelve times, and, at the center of the place where the body of the deceased lies, recites the incantation:

By the talismanic mandate of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, let it be proclaimed to all the Nine-Layered Earth Prefectures of the Middle Prime (the tiered depths and divine offices beneath the earth), the divine region of the Cavern Extremity, the presiding spirits of the four directions and the four intermediate quarters, together with the twelve divine officials, the Numinous Knob of the Yellow Prime, and the Exalted Perfected Sovereign of the Soil. Today is an auspicious day for the performance of the great rite, and the myriad gods have come to the place of the ceremony. So-and-so (the deceased) receives deliverance and transformation and is entrusted within the Nine Mysteries; the hun soul is raised aloft, the po soul rests secure, and the bodily form is sheltered by the divine officials of the Earth Prefectures. The Four Extremities transmit the command, so that radiance appears and the ways lie open; let there be proper comfort and care, provision of what is needed, and escort and welcome. Do not allow the deceased to be alarmed, nor permit him to offend the realm of the spirits. Let this matter be as clear and manifest as the Supreme Truth has shown, so that every spirit may hear it.

When the incantation is finished, the document is buried in the earth.

Lingbao White Emperor’s Celestial Script of the Seven Qi for the Refining and Deliverance of the Five Immortals, the Pacification of the Numina, and the Settling of the Spirits

The White Heaven of the Seven Qi in the West (the western celestial realm in Daoism), bearing the talismanic mandate of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, informs the divine officials in the spirit-regions of the earth prefectures throughout the boundless worlds of the West: there is now a disciple of pure faith of the Most High, so-and-so, who performs the “extinction and deliverance of the Five Immortals” (the Daoist ritual expression for the refining and deliverance of the divine soul of the deceased), entrusting him to the Great Yin (the realm of darkness). A dwelling is now being established for him in a given realm, so that his bodily form may rest securely in Sovereign Earth (the great earth). Please comfort and care for him according to the orthodox method; nurture him with the White Numen and nourish him with the white florescence of the Seven Qi, so that his Jing (essence) and Qi, together with his radiance, are full and abundant; refine and restore his bodily form, so that the bones are fragrant and the flesh aromatic and pure, and through a hundred million kalpas they do not decay.

Please let the Western Marchmount, Mount Hua, open the prefecture of the Nine Darknesses within the Long Night and release so-and-so’s soul and spirit; bathe him, change his garments, and set a cap upon him, then transfer him to the celestial prefecture; supply him with clothing and food, so that he may long abide in the light, untroubled by demons or deviant powers. All the spirits are to attend and guard him, settle and uphold him. All of this is to be carried out according to the regulations of the ancient canon of the Luminous Truth of the Primordial Beginning, the Nüqing Text.

The master writes this document upon white stone. After completing his obeisance to the petition made of yellow silk, he buries the document where the body of the deceased lies, proceeding west as far as the boundary of the burial ground. At the moment of burial, the master treads seven paces of the Yu Steps (Yubu), walks to the designated place, faces west, and reads the large characters and the main text through to the end. He then knocks his teeth twenty-four times, retains the Qi (vital energy) seven times, and recites the incantation:

“By the talismanic command of the Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi), let it be made known universally to the underworld deities of the western spirit realm and of the limitless worlds; to the chief office of the seven Qi of the Cavern of Emptiness (Dongkong), the Cavern of Nonbeing (Dongwu), the Cavern of Mystery (Dongxuan), and the Cavern of Clarity (Dongqing); and to the Limitless Divine Kings of the Dark Numina who, throughout the western quarters of the divine courts of the Three Realms, preside over the myriad Qi. We ask you to inspect the true numina and to deliver and transform the deceased.

“Today the five Qi assemble, and Lesser Yin (Shaoyin, one of the forms of yin Qi) comes forward to swear the covenant. Jia-Yi (here referring to the deceased) receives deliverance and transformation. The bodily form is refined and nourished with the Qi of the Five Immortals, entrusted to the gate of the hidden darkness, and lodged for a time in the central chamber. This is jointly made manifest by the disciple of pure faith of the Grand Supreme (Taishang) together with the host of the Perfected. The gates of the earthly realm open, and the myriad spirits together stand guard, so that the corpse remains secure and the hun and po souls are settled, in lasting peace through hundreds of millions of kalpas. When the methods of the Dao (the Way) have been accomplished, the deceased departs this world, reverently borne upon the numinous carriage; in accordance with the ancient regulations of Mingzhen, the report is transmitted by relay post.”

When the recitation is finished, the document is buried in the earth.

Celestial Script of the Five Qi of the Lingbao (Numinous Treasure) Black Emperor for Refining and Delivering the Five Immortals, Pacifying the Numen, and Stabilizing the Shen (spirit)

The Mysterious Heaven of the Five Qi of the North, in obedience to the talismanic command of the Primordial Beginning, announces downward to the various numinous officials of the divine townships of the underworld in the limitless worlds of the north:

“There is now a disciple of pure faith of the Grand Supreme, So-and-so, who refines and delivers the Five Immortals for the deceased and causes them to be entrusted to Taiyin (the realm of the dark underworld). Halls and chambers are now established in such-and-such a realm, so that the bodily form may rest upon the great earth and all may be carried out according to the orthodox method. May the spirits comfort and tend them, so that the mysterious numen is nourished, the five Qi brim and moisten like jade liquor, and the radiance of Jing (essence) and Qi is full and abundant; so that the bodily frame, having been refined and nurtured, has fragrant bones and pure flesh, and through hundreds of millions of kalpas is not reduced to ash.

“We ask the Northern Marchmount, Mount Heng (Hengshan), to open the mansions of the Long Night and the Ninefold Darkness, to release the hun-spirit of So-and-so, to bathe them, change their garments, and place a cap upon them, and then to transfer them to the celestial bureau, providing clothing and food, so that they may dwell long amid the light and suffer no harassment from demons or deviant forces. May all spirits and numina attend and guard them, keeping them secure and settled. The foregoing is carried out in accordance with the ancient canon of the Primordial Beginning’s covenant with the Perfected and the regulations of the Nüqing Text (Nüqing wen).”

Write this document on black stone. After the master has bowed and sent it off, present it to the Celestial Bureau. Clothing and food are then supplied, so that the deceased may long remain in the light, free from the harassment of demons, and be guarded, pacified, and secured by all the spirits. This follows the Nüqing Wen in the Yuanshi Mengzhen Jiudian, the Ancient Canon of the Primordial Covenant of Truth.

Write this document on black stone, and then, according to the rite, pay homage to the yellow-silk petition (a memorial written on yellow silk). Bury the document afterward at the northern boundary of the tomb, where the body of the deceased lies. At the moment of burial, the master takes five paces of the Yubu (the ritual pacing of Daoism). On reaching the appointed place, he faces north and finishes reading the large characters and the document. He then knocks his teeth twenty-four times, holds his breath five times, and recites this incantation:

“By the talismanic command of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, let word be given throughout to the Imperial Lords of the Earth Bureau in the boundless world of the Northern Origin; to the gods of Dongkong, Dongwu, Dongxuan, and Dongyuan, who govern the Five Qi (vital energies); and to the boundless divine lords, exalted in the Three Realms, who preside over the yin darkness of the north. Now, on an auspicious day and at a favorable hour, the Mysterious Heaven first divides. The supreme sages descend to bestow blessings, and the Northern Emperor spreads forth cloud-Qi. The deceased receives deliverance and is entrusted to the gate of the underworld; having received the Way of the pure faith of the Most High, their honored station stands level with the Ten Heavens. The Earth Bureaus of the five directions receive and keep the bodily form; the Three Officials raise up and escort the hun and po souls; and the Southern Palace bathes the deceased, so that the decayed corpse may again be filled with vital energy. May the bodily form enjoy the protection of the spirits and endure through a hundred million kalpas. By the orthodox Way and the pure faith of the Most High, their honored station stands level with the Ten Heavens; the Earth Bureaus of the five directions receive and keep the bodily form; the Three Officials raise up and escort the hun and po souls; and the Southern Palace bathes the deceased, so that the decayed corpse may again be filled with vital energy. May the bodily form enjoy the protection of the spirits and endure through a hundred million kalpas. The orthodox Way is opened, and the jade texts pacify and secure; all deities and spirits of themselves supply what is needed. The great rite of Mingzhen, Luminous Truth, is proclaimed universally, that all may know.”

When the incantation has been recited, bury the document in the earth.

The flying celestial divine beings of the East say: “Open the way and deliver those subject to the three paths and five sufferings (the hellish torments of which Daoism speaks) in the Ninefold Dark Hells of the East, so that the deceased may be reborn in the Hall of Blessings. Pacify and secure the bodily form of the dead and their former dwelling, bringing them peace. The spirits of the Earth Bureau are charged with guarding them, supplying what they need, and escorting them on their way. In accordance with the rites of the Mingzhen Yugui, the Jade Casket of Luminous Truth, and of the Nüqing Shanggong Jiudian, the Ancient Canon of the Upper Palace of Nüqing, take ninety chi, or nine chi, of azure-patterned silk, go before the Heavenly Lord of the Nine Qi, and request the jade texts of the various heavens together with the talismanic commands of Nüqing. Then convey the command to the numinous officials of the East, delivering the hungry ghosts and departed souls confined in the Ninefold Dark Hells of the East and in the three paths and five sufferings, so that they may leave the darkness and enter the light. Pacify and secure the remains of the dead and their dwelling, so that they may long remain at peace and never again be disturbed. These rites are performed in accordance with the Nüqing Wen.”

The Flying Celestial Divine Person of the South (a divine person who has ascended to the heavenly realm) said:

“Open and deliver those in the Three Paths and Five Sufferings (the sufferings of the hells) within the Ninefold Dark Hells of the South, so that the souls of the dead may pass into the Hall of Blessings; settle the remains and former dwellings of the deceased so that they may find peace, and have the Earth Office (the subterranean bureaus) guard, provision, escort, and receive them. One should follow the regulations of the Old Canon of the Upper Palace of Nüqing in the Jade Casket of Luminous Perfection, prepare thirty chi of red patterned silk (red silk fabric with ornamental patterns), go to the Celestial Lord of the Three Qi (vital energy), and request the jade writs of the various heavens and the talismanic mandates of Nüqing (heavenly talismanic writings and commands), to be sent down in announcement to the various numinous officials of the South, so as to rescue and deliver the hungry ghosts and dead souls in the Three Paths and Five Sufferings of the Ninefold Dark Hells of the South, causing them to leave the darkness and enter the light; settle the remains and dwellings of the deceased so that they may long remain at peace and no longer be disturbed, just as the Writ of Nüqing states.”

The Flying Celestial Divine Person of the Center said:

“Open and deliver those in the Three Paths and Five Sufferings within the Ninefold Dark Hells of the Center, so that the souls of the dead may pass into the Hall of Blessings; settle the remains and former dwellings of the deceased so that they may find peace, and have the Earth Office guard, provision, escort, and receive them. One should follow the regulations of the Old Canon of the Upper Palace of Nüqing in the Jade Casket of Luminous Perfection, prepare one hundred twenty chi, or twelve chi, of yellow patterned silk, go to the Celestial Lord of the One Qi, and request the True Writ of Primordial Spontaneity and the talismanic mandates of Nüqing, to be sent down in announcement to the various numinous officials of the center and the four directions (the four quarters)—those with nothing above or below, nothing dark or hidden, nothing unprobed or too far, without border or limit, of the boundless Dongxuan (Cavernous Mystery)—so as to rescue and deliver the hungry ghosts and dead souls in the Three Paths and Five Sufferings of the Ninefold Dark Hells of the Center, causing them to leave the darkness and enter the light; settle the remains and dwellings of the deceased so that they may long remain at peace and no longer be disturbed, just as the Writ of Nüqing states.”

The Flying Celestial Divine Being of the West says: Open the gate of salvation for the deceased, so that they may leave the Three Paths and Five Sufferings in the Ninefold Dark Hells of the West and enter the Hall of Blessings; settle the body and former dwelling of the deceased so that they find peace, and let the Earth Bureau guard and care for them, supply what they need, and escort and receive them. In accordance with the established statutes of the Mingzhen Yukui Nüqing Shanggong, one should use white patterned silk (silk fabric bearing ornamental designs), seventy chi in length, or seven chi, and go before the Heavenly Lord of the Seven Qi (vital energy), requesting that the various heavens issue the Nüqing talismanic commands (the talismanic writs and orders of the celestial realm), and then proclaim them to the spirit officials throughout the West, so as to rescue the hungry ghosts and dead souls amid the Three Paths and Five Sufferings in the Ninefold Dark Hells of the West and let them behold the light once more; settle the remains of the deceased and their palaces and dwellings, so that they may enjoy lasting peace and be disturbed no longer. These rites are to be carried out as set forth in the Nüqing documents.

The Flying Celestial Divine Being of the North says: Open the gate of salvation for the deceased, so that they may leave the Three Paths and Five Sufferings in the Ninefold Dark Hells of the North and enter the Hall of Blessings; settle the body and former dwelling of the deceased so that they find peace, and let the Earth Bureau guard and care for them, supply what they need, and escort and receive them. In accordance with the established statutes of the Mingzhen Yukui Nüqing Shanggong, one should use black patterned silk, fifty chi in length, or five chi, and go before the Heavenly Lord of the Five Qi, requesting that the various heavens issue the Nüqing talismanic commands, and then proclaim them to the spirit officials throughout the North, so as to rescue the hungry ghosts and dead souls amid the Three Paths and Five Sufferings in the Ninefold Dark Hells of the North and let them behold the light once more; settle the remains of the deceased and their palaces and dwellings, so that they may enjoy lasting peace and be disturbed no longer. These rites are to be carried out as set forth in the Nüqing documents.

The Flying Celestial Divine Beings further say: In accordance with the Mingzhen Kepin (the relevant statutes of Keyi, liturgy), the Son of Heaven should use pledges reckoned by the pi; dukes, kings, and rulers of states should reckon by the zhang. All use patterned silk, with gold as the superior grade, to serve as pledges conforming to the celestial signs. Common people should reckon by the chi, using iron as the pledge equivalent to gold. This matter should be proclaimed to the various heavens and to the human world, so that all may hear of it.

The Flying Celestial Divine Being said: If one wishes to settle and comfort the remains of the deceased and the place of burial, so that the local Earth Official—the deity who oversees the affairs of the underworld—may offer solace and care, allowing the dead to be reborn as soon as possible into a world of blessing and joy, and so that the family may flourish and its blessings continue, one should follow clear precepts and established ritual procedures. Nobles of the rank of the Son of Heaven, kings, and dukes and above offer five taels of gold to the Five Emperors, the deities who govern the five directions, in order to pacify and secure those directions; common people use fifty catties of iron. These are tokens bound up with life and death and with deliverance, and the blessed recompense they bring is measureless. This method should be proclaimed to all the heavens and to the people of the world, so that everyone may come to know it.

The Celestial Perfected Sovereign said: The opening of the method of deliverance, the redemption of souls burdened with karmic offenses from former lives, and the securing of the place where the remains of the deceased lie—this scripture (Jing) originates from before Longhan, the remote kalpa age of Daoist legend. The Celestial Worthy commanded that this vast dharma-gate be opened in order to instruct those who cultivate the Dao (the Way). The great deities of all the heavens revealed the subtle mysteries of the Longhan age and expounded the secret writings of Dongxuan (one of the Three Caverns), rescuing souls from the dark and endless night, so that the Ninefold Darkness, the deepest reach of the underworld, might receive a light like that of the sun; so that solitary souls might return, and even decayed remains might be joined to blessed affinity and enter the Hall of Blessings. Clothing and food arise of themselves in abundance, and one may also consort with flying celestial spirits and become a guest of the Most High Venerable Deity. This dharma-gate is supremely wondrous and cannot be fully told. The great assembly seated here and the celestial youths of all the heavens should all treasure it. Thereupon the fourfold assembly present bowed their heads to the ground together, acclaimed it as excellent, and withdrew.

Here ends the upper volume of the Wondrous Scripture (Jing) of the Most High, the Cavern of Mystery (Dongxuan), and the Numinous Treasure, on Salvation through Extinction and the Fivefold Refinement of the Living Corpse. The phrase “fivefold refinement of the living corpse” is a Daoist ritual expression for refining and delivering the dead so that they may attain salvation.

A note on the collation: the Red Emperor’s talisman for settling the numen and guarding the Shen (spirit), together with the talismanic script of the Yellow Emperor, the White Emperor, and the Black Emperor that follows, is written differently in the Dunhuang manuscript and the Daozang (Daoist Canon). The strokes in the Dunhuang copy are comparatively simple, so these are not collated item by item. The remaining notes record textual differences among the various editions, as well as places where characters have been supplied or emended on the basis of the Dunhuang manuscript.

The lower volume of the Wondrous Scripture of the Most High, the Cavern of Mystery, and the Numinous Treasure on the Fivefold Refinement of the Living Corpse is titled “Lingbao Method of the Yellow Stanzas for Refining and Delivering the Five Immortals, Settling the Numen, and Guarding the Spirit.” Here the “Five Immortals” are the names of divine beings in Daoist ritual, while “settling the numen and guarding the spirit” means calming the spirit of the deceased and protecting that person’s Shen.

Your servant Wang Jia, Most True Great Ritual Master and Red Emperor Master of the Dongxuan Lingbao tradition (Dongxuan, one of the Three Caverns), respectfully kneels and memorializes:

Before the supremely exalted One Qi (vital energy)—the primordial breath that constitutes heaven, earth, and the myriad things—and before the boundless and summitless, formless and colorless, soundless and lightless, vast and most true Great Dao (the Way), the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, the Heavenly Thearchs of the Thirty-two Heavens, and the Most High Lord of the Great Dao:

Your servant has received the transforming teaching of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, and earnestly begs the heavens to show mercy and pardon the departed souls confined in the dark prisons of the hells, together with the hungry ghosts and dead souls who endure the Three Paths and the Five Sufferings, so that they may leave the long night and see the light once more. The transforming teaching of the Heavenly Dao has been carried out; the bones of the dead may be restored to human form; the Three Realms are clear and at peace, and the underworld has likewise returned to tranquility.

All who have already passed into extinction (that is, who have died) and are for a time entrusted to the Great Yin and the Earth Officials, if their merit is still slight and they have not yet obtained restoration to life or deliverance, shall, in accordance with the talismanic commands of Nüqing (the sacred talismanic ordinances transmitted by Nüqing), be comforted and tended by the spirits of their respective jurisdictions, supplied and guarded. Their bodily remains must not be disturbed, so that they may be born again as human beings.

At this time the Great Sages of the heavens, the Limitless Most High Lord of the Great Dao, the Thearchs of the Five Elders, the Spirit-Kings Who Fly through Heaven, the High Officials of Nanchang, the Marshal of Longevity, the Perfected Lord Who Cherishes Life, the Primal Ladies and Numinous Consorts, the Jade Maidens of Mysterious Harmony, the Perfected (Zhenren), and seven thousand two hundred and forty divine youths together snap their fingers and proclaim this matter to all heavens, all earths, and all waters, and to the sun, moon, and stars, the Five Thearchs and the Five Marchmounts, the numinous mountains and the earth bureaus, the Three Officials and the Nine Offices, the sources of the twelve rivers, and every spirit. However high or low, deep or distant their stations, and however great or small, finite or boundless their domains, all must be made to hear.

The golden covenants and jade writs are given into the keeping of the Jade Maidens of Mysterious Harmony, and it is covenanted that from this day the matter shall be renewed, the great law reverently carried out, and no partiality shown. Even if heaven and earth undergo great transformations, this ordinance remains clear and unmistakable.

Now, following the old canons of the Upper Palace of Nüqing, the holy Way is solemnly reaffirmed, and this matter is undertaken for the pure-faith disciple Wang Jia, man or woman, of such-and-such commandery, county, township, and hamlet. Wang Jia is of such-and-such years; his natal destiny belongs to bingwu; his name is entered in the register of the Red Emperor; in the seventh month he received Qi, and from the Cinnabar Heaven he was endowed with yang Qi. The merit of his former life is not yet complete. In this life he has dwelt in the defiled world of dust and has been stained by its grime. By destiny he was due to pass into extinction: his soul and life are lodged with the Great Yin, and his bodily form rests for a time with the Earth Officials.

A dwelling has now been established in such-and-such township and hamlet of the Central Heaven as a place where he may settle. Wang Jia’s merit is still slight, and for the present he cannot return of himself. He is now also driven and pressed by the earth bureaus and cannot dwell in peace, so that his hun and po souls scatter and his body is unsettled. Therefore, in careful accordance with the golden covenants and jade writs of the Great Law of Illuminating Truth, we petition upward for the Nüqing talismanic commands in the spontaneous jade characters of the heavens, ordering the Numinous Officials of the Nine Earths of the heaven concerned to pacify and secure Wang Jia’s body, bones, and dwelling.

We further petition the Azure-Numen Spirit-Generating Perfected of the Azure Heaven of the Nine Qi to set out from the immortals of the east, riding an azure dragon and leading ninety million riders, bearing the celestial script of the Nine Qi and the Nüqing talismanic command of the Azure Emperor, and to proceed to the Numinous Officials of the Nine Earths of the east, open the Bureau of the Long Night and the Ninefold Dark Hells, rescue Wang Jia’s hun-spirit (Shen, spirit), and restore it to his former dwelling. Those who should transmigrate shall transmigrate; those who should be delivered shall be delivered; those who should be reborn shall be reborn; those who should return shall return. Those who cannot yet transmigrate shall still have their bodies settled, comforted, and guarded, and shall not be disturbed. In accordance with the talismanic writ of Nüqing, ninety chi (Chinese feet) of azure fabric, or else nine chi, are offered to the Heavenly Lord of the Nine Qi as the credential for extracting and delivering the departed soul.

We further petition the Red-Numen Spirit-Generating Perfected of the Cinnabar Heaven of the Three Qi to set out from the immortals of the Southern Marchmount, riding a red dragon and leading thirty million riders, bearing the celestial script of the Three Qi and the Nüqing talismanic command of the Red Emperor, and to proceed to the Numinous Officials of the Nine Earths of the south, open the Bureau of the Long Night and the Ninefold Dark Hells, rescue Wang Jia’s hun-spirit, and restore it to his former dwelling. Let those who should transfer transfer, those who should be delivered be delivered, those who should be born be born, and those who should return return. Those who cannot yet transmigrate must still have their bodies settled and guarded, and must not be disturbed. In accordance with the talismanic writ of Nüqing, eighty chi of crimson fabric, or else eight chi, are offered to the Heavenly Lord of the Three Qi as the credential for extracting and delivering the departed soul.

We further petition the Yellow-Numen Perfected of the Yellow Heaven of the One Qi, Master of Kui and the Divine Knob and Generator of All, to set out from the immortals of the Central Marchmount, riding a yellow dragon and leading twelve thousand riders, bearing the celestial script of the One Qi and the Nüqing talismanic command of the Yellow Emperor, and to proceed to the numinous officials of the boundless earth bureaus of the center, open the Bureau of the Long Night and the Ninefold Dark Hells, rescue Wang Jia’s hun-spirit, and restore it to his former dwelling. Let those who should transfer transfer, those who should be delivered be delivered, those who should be born be born, and those who should return return. Those who cannot yet transmigrate shall have their bodies settled, comforted, and guarded, and shall not be disturbed. In accordance with the talismanic writ of Nüqing, one hundred and twenty chi of yellow fabric, or else twelve chi, are offered to the Heavenly Lord of the One Qi as the credential for extracting and delivering the departed soul.

We further petition the White-Numen Spirit-Generating Perfected of the Pure Heaven of the Seven Qi to set out from the immortals of the Western Marchmount, riding a white dragon and leading seventy million riders, bearing the celestial script of the Seven Qi and the Nüqing talismanic command of the White Emperor, and to proceed to the Numinous Officials of the Nine Earths of the west, open the Bureau of the Long Night and the Ninefold Dark Hells, rescue Wang Jia’s hun-spirit, and restore it to his former dwelling. Let those who should transfer transfer, those who should be delivered be delivered, those who should be born be born, and those who should return return. Those who cannot yet transmigrate shall have their bodies settled, comforted, and guarded, and shall not be disturbed. In accordance with the talismanic writ of Nüqing, seventy chi of white fabric, or else seven chi, are offered to the Heavenly Lord of the Seven Qi as the credential for extracting and delivering the departed soul.

We further petition the Mysterious-Numen Spirit-Generating Perfected of the Dark Heaven of the Five Qi to set out from the immortals of the Northern Marchmount, riding a black dragon and leading fifty million riders, bearing the celestial script of the Five Qi and the Nüqing talismanic command of the Black Emperor, and to proceed to the Numinous Officials of the Nine Earths of the north, open the Bureau of the Long Night and the Ninefold Dark Hells, rescue Wang Jia’s hun-spirit, and restore it to his former dwelling. Let those who should transfer transfer, those who should be delivered be delivered, those who should be born be born, and those who should return return. Those who cannot yet transmigrate shall have their bodies settled, comforted, and guarded, and shall not be disturbed. In accordance with the talismanic writ of Nüqing, fifty chi of black fabric, or else five chi, are offered to the Heavenly Lord of the Five Qi as the credential for extracting and delivering the departed soul.

In addition, five liang (Chinese ounces) of gold, or else fifty jin (Chinese catties) of iron, are offered to the Five Emperors to secure and stabilize the five directions. Wang Jia now meets the provisions for opening the way and delivering departed souls. The officers of the Nine Earths shall each, within the region under their charge, tend and guard him and supply what is needed, so that his body remains secure, his spirit-soul stays settled, and his po soul does not scatter. When his merit is complete, he shall return to his former dwelling, receive the vital fluids, and be restored to life.

May the Five Emperors bestow upon him the primordial Jing (essence) of Great Harmony, guide his primordial Qi, and nourish his spirit-soul, rearing him with the light of the sun, moon, and stars. May mysterious and wondrous sweet dew pour into his body, and may jade polypores be naturally abundant, so that he may soon become radiant, bright, and pure, and his vital fluids fragrant. May his hun-spirit roam in the Upper Clarity, with clothing and food naturally complete; descending, may he return to his palace dwelling, join with his body and shadow, never again be separated, and together with them receive transformative birth.

Today is the great day of celebration for the universal deliverance of all beings. Every spirit of the earth bureaus shall follow the old law, register this merit, and report it upward to the heavens. Whoever violates the talismanic commands of Nüqing shall be stripped of office and punished in body, dealt with strictly according to the old statutes, and the ordinance shall be transmitted by the golden dragon.

This memorial is respectfully submitted, and the proclamation of the celestial court is reverently awaited. Your servant Wang Jia, in fear and trembling, guilty of ten thousand deaths, respectfully kneels and memorializes once more.

I am surnamed so-and-so, and I belong to such-and-such commandery, such-and-such county, such-and-such township, and such-and-such village.

O supreme and unsurpassed Primordial Qi (vital energy), supreme and unsurpassed Primordial Qi! The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, lord of the vast and pure Great Dao (the Way), without limit and without summit, without color and without light, together with the Thirty-Two Emperors and the Most High Lord of the Great Dao, respectfully submits this report before the Jade Majesty of Grand Clarity.

In such-and-such year under the Taisui, on the first day of such-and-such month, on such-and-such day and at such-and-such hour, in such-and-such heaven, commandery, county, township, and village, one memorial written on yellow silk (a prayer text on yellow silk) has been prepared and, with a golden dragon as the token of credence, is presented upward.

According to the ancient statutes of Nüqing (a deity in Daoist legend), this document is to be written with a vermilion brush on yellow silk. The ritual master comes to the place where the deceased lies, faces north at the hour of zi, burns five kinds of incense, sets out and settles the stabilizing objects of the five directions, and then submits this yellow-silk memorial. The text of the memorial is left in the open overnight; at dawn the next morning, the documents are buried separately in their corresponding directions, so as to secure the spirit-soul (Shen) and settle the bodily form.

If one proceeds in this manner, the Nüqing documents say: the hidden souls of the deceased’s ancestors through nine generations can all leave the long, unbroken night and enter the light; the Three Offices (the divine bureaus that govern Heaven, Earth, and Water) will expunge their registers of sins, and their names will be entered in heaven. Food and drink are prepared for them. After thirty-two years, they can all recover their original forms and obtain life anew.

If some of the deceased are not yet able to recover their bodily forms, their remains and former dwellings will still receive the escort of the Five Emperors and the protection and care of the earth deities (earth gods), and will be comforted and succored, no longer restless or unsettled. In less than a hundred years, none fail to be transformed and reborn, and thus to return once more to human existence.

The name registers of the Three Realms record all this with perfect clarity. The wise can grasp the principle within, examining good and evil, causes and conditions, and retribution, and know that these words are not empty. The foolish let themselves be driven by fate and suppose that matters are not so, with the result that the Three Offices labor in vain—truly a cause for sorrow.

The Heavenly True Sovereign (a perfected immortal of Daoist legend) said: In former times, in the heaven of Chiming, there was a Daoist surnamed Zheng, courtesy name Ren’an. His merit was not yet complete when he died in a valley north of Mount Chang. His son Zhongming took Master Xuanhe as his teacher and used this scripture to secure and protect Zheng Ren’an’s corpse and dwelling for thirty years. Zheng Ren’an was thereby able to attain deliverance. He should have returned to the human world, but he was burned by the Ge people (an ancient designation for certain ethnic groups). Later his remains rose up in dense profusion, and he is now the Old Lord, Southern Emperor of the Upper Palace. The story of his attainment of the Dao is inscribed to this day on the southern veranda of the Upper Palace of Taiji (Supreme Ultimate), and the record is perfectly clear.

The Heavenly True Sovereign said: In former times, in the kingdom of Shanren, there was a Daoist surnamed Xian, courtesy name Xinran. He took the Youth of Impermanence as his teacher and received the Lingbao (Numinous Treasure) Transmission of Deliverance through Extinction and Ascent to Heaven. His merit was not yet complete when he died in the heaven of Qingyuan, and his corpse was buried in the province of Liusheng. The Youth of Impermanence used this scripture to secure and protect his corpse. After a hundred years, floodwaters washed over the burial place, and he was thereby transformed and reborn. He is now enfeoffed as the Old Lord of Primordial Spirit. The story of his attainment of the Dao was recorded by the Southern Palace in the Lodge of Purple Tenuity.

The Heavenly True Sovereign said: In former times, in the world of Qixian, there was a Daoist surnamed Hao, courtesy name Fuming. In his youth he loved mountains and waters and left home to travel far in pursuit of learning. His merit was not yet complete when he died at the foot of Mount Dijing. His son Shaoxin studied with Master Beiguo, obtained this scripture, and used it to secure and protect Fuming’s corpse. After seven hundred years the corpse underwent refinement and deliverance by water and fire, and Fuming was able to return to life in the human world. Later he took Master Heiwen as his teacher and received the transmission of ascent to heaven. He is now the Emperor of the Mysterious Elder. The Southern Palace recorded the story of his attainment of the Dao at the Mysterious Window of Northern Primordiality.

Tianzhen Huangren (the Heavenly Perfected Sovereign) said: In the Fuli world (Floating Pear Realm) in the south of Zhongyuan Tian (the Middle Prime Heaven), there was a Daoist priest surnamed Wang, whose courtesy name was Duming. In his youth he traveled abroad to study, following Tuzhen Gong (Lord Tu the Perfected) in learning the Wupian Wen (Five Chapters) and the methods of ascending to immortality. Because his merit and virtue were not yet complete, he died in the Guangling area of the Eastern Mountains.

His son Jingxiu went to Dai Zhongjun (Lord Dai Zhong) and obtained this scripture (Jing), using it to preserve his father’s corpse for ninety years. Later a great famine struck the Eastern Mountains, and the people dug the earth in search of food, unearthing Wang Duming’s remains. The remains thereupon underwent transformative birth; Wang Duming later succeeded in cultivating the Dao, ascended to the heavens, and became Jingxiao Zhenren (the Perfected Being of the Radiant Empyrean).

Here, “zhen shixing” (stabilizing the corpse-form) means using the scripture to temporarily settle and preserve the corpse; “huasheng” (transformative birth) means coming into being through transformation from the corpse.

The Heavenly True Sovereign (Tianzhen Huangren) said: “These immortal perfected beings had all long studied and cultivated the method of miedu (deliverance through extinction). Their cultivation of the Dao (the Way) was nearing completion, and so they were able to receive this scripture. Some were reborn as human beings; others passed beyond the void, entered the celestial realms, ascended to the Golden Portal (the heavenly palace), and received the title ‘Ziran’ (the Spontaneous). Their deeds lie in remote antiquity and are hard for people of the world to know. A few comparatively recent examples may be given here. Yanmenzi took Yeguang as his master, Gaoqiuzi took Shigong as his master, and Master Hongya took Jinmu (the Metal Mother) as his master. All of them received the Lingbao (Numinous Treasure) method of miedu and the Five Refinements, together with the transmission by which one ascends to heaven through it.

Yanmenzi died at Changqiu Mountain in Luo County, Yuyang; Gaoqiuzi died at Gaofu Mountain in Wenxi County, Zhongshan; and Master Hongya died at Lang Mountain in Guzang County, Wuwei. Each placed this scripture in the tomb to guard and protect it. After a span that the original text writes as ‘册年’ (the meaning of the characters is unclear) had passed since Yanmenzi’s burial, the tomb chamber collapsed and the corpse dissolved away. He later entered the Golden Court of the Great Cavern of Mount Meng, was granted an immortal writ, and became an Immortal Minister. Seventy-two years after Gaoqiuzi’s death, the tomb chamber collapsed and was opened; when people laid hands on the coffin, his bodily form ascended in flight. He is now the Zhenren (Perfected) of the Central Marchmount. One hundred and twenty years after Master Hongya’s death, the tomb gate opened, his corpse soared aloft, he was granted an immortal writ, and he became the Zhenren of Qingcheng.

These worthies all cultivated the method of miedu, received the transmission of ascent to heaven, and guarded their burials with numinous methods. Thus they were able to esteem emptiness and stillness, transcend into the pure realm, ride the clouds and course through the void, roam Ziwei (the Purple Tenuity, the celestial realm), and obtain the title of Zhenren. These cases are relatively near the present; they are not legends of remote ages. The Primordial Heavenly King (Yuanshi Tianwang) now opens the primordial treasury and transmits the scripture to the superior immortals of Taiji (the Supreme Ultimate). Those who encounter this scripture will, after passing through myriad kalpas in former lives, have their names entered in the registers of Shangqing (Upper Clarity). If they already possess the root capacity to attain the Dao and become immortal, they may realize the immortal Way. How could the male and female immortals of the various heavens fail to honor the decree of Nüqing (a Daoist deity), secretly treasure this scripture, and regard it as a precious jewel?”

Taishang Lingbao Dongxuan Miedu Wulian Shengshi Miaojing (Wondrous Scripture of the Most High Lingbao Dongxuan on Deliverance through Extinction and the Five Refinements for Regenerating the Corpse), lower scroll.

The Wondrous Scripture (Jing) of Deliverance through Extinction by the Five Refinements for Vivifying the Corpse, of the Cavern Mystery (Dongxuan) of the Most High Numinous Treasure (Lingbao): Lower Scroll

In the Dunhuang manuscript P.2865 the beginning of the scroll is lost while the end is intact, and two hundred seventy-four lines of the scripture survive. The first one hundred thirty-four lines largely agree in content with the Scripture of the Five Refinements for Vivifying the Corpse preserved in the Daoist Canon (Daozang), though with missing passages. The text from line one hundred thirty-five onward is not included in the Daozang version. Critical study indicates that it is the lost portion of the Scripture of the Five Refinements for Vivifying the Corpse, and it has here been collated and restored as the lower scroll on the basis of this manuscript. In the Dunhuang manuscript S.298 the beginning is likewise lost while the end is intact; its text corresponds to line one hundred fifty-four and what follows in manuscript P.2865, and it is used here as a reference for collation.

In this passage the word xiangli (village and ward) appears in manuscript S.298 as junli (commandery and ward). The characters qing and ying have been supplied from manuscript S.298. After yubi xia (Jade Majesty), manuscript S.298 also contains eight additional characters: “So-and-so, belonging to such-and-such commandery, county, township, and ward, Qin.”

“Huangsu xing” is a subheading. For huangsu (yellow silk), manuscript S.298 reads huangzeng (yellow pongee), and for Luo County it reads Lu County. The character beng has been supplied from manuscript S.298. Where the base text reads Wenshi, it has been emended to Yuanshi (Primordial Beginning) on the basis of manuscript S.298.

The base text lacks the title at the end of the scroll, which has now been supplied from manuscript S.298. The two characters for “lower scroll” were added by the editors.