《太上洞玄灵宝赤书玉诀妙经》

At that time, the Celestial Worthy of Original Beginning, the Great Lord of the Supreme Dao, the Five Elder Emperors, and the great deities of the ten directions gathered at the Upper Hall of Dongyang in the Southern Elixir Realm. They sat on thrones adorned with pearls of seven colors. The Great Sages of the Five Emperors, the Mysterious Harmony Jade Maidens, and fifty-two thousand five hundred others came before them. Fragrant blossoms descended from the sky, divine dragons played music, and many deities assembled. Purple clouds spread in all directions; the sun, moon, and stars shone together. The heavens above and below celebrated as Perfected Ones arrived in their carriages. At that time, Wang Longci, who had diligently pursued his studies, stood beside the throne and asked to receive the precepts of the teaching—the rules for spiritual cultivation.

The Dao said to Longci: “For seven million kalpas, I practiced the Lingbao teachings. I vowed to give generously, upheld the precepts, observed purification, and cultivated myself; I practiced tirelessly and never turned back. Through the cycles of birth and death, I cultivated forbearance and diligent effort, cut off distracting thoughts, and entered a state of emptiness and stillness, free of thought. Only through the spiritual responses and cultivation accumulated over a long time did I become the Dao honored by all the sages. I have always held compassion in my heart and wished to save beings far and wide. Whether male or female, anyone with good intentions who seeks the Dao and pursues the truth—I hope they may encounter the wondrous Lingbao teachings. You have this good intention and have come to enter the teaching. In your past lives, you passed through ten thousand kalpas and already practiced the Way of Ultimate Truth; your merit was complete. That is why in this life you were born in an age when the Dao teachings flourish and encountered the moment when the teaching could be transmitted. Now I will explain to you the difficult and obscure passages in the ten wondrous scriptures, so that you may save beings throughout the heavens and earth of the ten directions. Study with care, and do not heed the words of demonic paths.”

The Dao teaches that people experience birth and death because of the causes and conditions they themselves create. Blessings and desires continually pull them along, sending them through the cycle of rebirth; none of this lies outside their own making. A human life is hard to attain, a world where the Dao’s teaching is present is hard to encounter, scriptures are hard to come upon, and the essentials of Daoist cultivation are hard to hear.

Why do I expound profound teachings and explain important principles? I have considered how the gods and humans of the ten directions, though granted birth, cannot free themselves from suffering. They remain trapped in afflictions for a long time, willingly commit wrongs, and wander through the five paths of rebirth, yet no one awakens. For this reason, I explain the teachings far and wide, rousing those sunk in ignorance and confusion, so that gods and humans alike may enter the supreme, true gate of the Dao. I seek to save all beings in this world who have the karmic affinity to receive these teachings; all whose past-life conditions are complete can be saved.

I received the ancient scriptures of true writing passed down by the Primordial Beginning (a revered Daoist deity). I expound the scriptures and save the world, and after passing through ten thousand kalpas, I will return to Yuanshang Wanli Heaven. In the final age, amid the Five Turbidities—the five corruptions and disorders of the world—people’s fortunes are ill-starred. Men and women alike cannot encounter teachings that make the true Dao clear. They often fall into evil paths, their lives are unstable, and grief and affliction weigh upon them. They also suffer wrongful accusations and sudden calamities. Born and dying again, they cycle through the five paths, fall into the three paths of suffering and the eight hardships—evil destinies and the many conditions that make it difficult to hear the Dao and cultivate—and endure an unbroken succession of karmic grievances and retribution, without end. Separation through birth and death spares neither the rich nor the poor; it is truly heartbreaking.

Now I explain these essential teachings and save those who can be saved. Set your mind aright and listen carefully to my words. Thereupon, Zhu Jue, the title of the person receiving instruction in the scripture, bowed his head in salute, prostrated himself, and accepted the teaching.

The Dao says: “When you receive the great Lingbao precepts, face north, prostrate yourself with all five limbs touching the ground, and pay homage to the ten directions. Then face east, bow down, and listen respectfully to the ten precepts.

First, do not harbor jealousy or resentment, or secretly harm others. Restrain your speech and take care not to make mistakes; devote your thoughts to the Dao and its teachings.

Second, uphold benevolence and love. Do not kill living beings; feel compassion for all beings and come to their aid. Extend kindness widely, so that its benefits reach everyone.

Third, uphold integrity, be modest and yield to others, and value what is right. Do not engage in illicit sex or theft. Keep good intentions at all times; accept loss yourself if that will help someone else.

Fourth, do not become attached to beauty or desire, and do not indulge your heart. Remain chaste and prudent, and keep your conduct free of stain.

Fifth, do not speak maliciously or use empty, ornate words. Be loyal and upright in heart, speech, and action, and do not commit faults of speech.

Sixth, abstain from alcohol and keep your conduct in check. Harmonize your temperament so that your spirit is not harmed, and do not engage in any kind of wrongdoing.

Seventh, do not resent others for surpassing you, and do not compete for fame or merit. Be yielding in all things: step back yourself so that others may succeed.

Eighth, do not casually judge or disparage the teachings of the scriptures or the scriptures of the sages. Put the Dao’s teachings into practice with sincerity, and always show reverence, as though standing before the spirits.

Ninth, do not provoke conflict or stir up disputes, and do not make reckless pronouncements about the four classes of people who have left home to cultivate the Dao, or others like them. Such conduct will bring the reproach of heavenly beings and people alike, and will damage your own spiritual and vital energy.

Tenth, let your conduct and actions be impartial and of one mind, so that people and spirits may live in harmony. Maintain this at all times. In upholding the pure precepts, you should always accord with Heaven’s will.

Practice great compassion constantly, and aspire to deliver all beings everywhere who are in distress. Respect and follow the teachings; do not grow lax halfway through. Better to keep to goodness and die than to do evil in order to live. If you persevere without turning back, you can escape the cycle of rebirth in the Five Destinies, never again fall into the Three Evil Realms, and receive the protection of the heavens and the reverence of the myriad spirits. If you observe the fast and uphold the precepts for a long time, you will naturally be able to transcend the mundane world.”

Here, “receiving the precepts” means accepting and practicing them. “Prostrating with all five limbs touching the ground” means bowing with the body lowered to the ground. The “Five Destinies” are the five possible realms of rebirth, and the “Three Evil Realms” are the three most painful of them.

The Dao teaches: Lingbao—the Daoist scriptures and teachings—reveals methods of cultivation and saves living beings. Among these are twelve paths worth following, which can help people escape worldly suffering. You should practice in accordance with them, naturally setting out on the right path and ultimately entering the realm of Wuwei (non-action).

First, when you encounter a true scripture being transmitted, its teachings revealed, and living beings saved, awaken the aspiration to seek the Dao. Hope to cultivate in a future life and ultimately attain the state of a great sage.

Second, always hold compassion in your heart and care for all living beings. Wish that they may see the true teaching and be saved, and that its transformative influence may spread widely without hindrance.

Third, cherish the teachings of the scriptures, study them deeply, and understand their principles. Keep your aspirations firm and clear, and use the scriptural teachings to enlighten those who are ignorant.

Fourth, respect and accept the instruction of your teachers and elders. Encourage people widely to do good and guide them into the Dao, leading them to the true teaching and away from mistaken paths of cultivation.

Fifth, have faith in the wondrous Dao, honor the scriptures and essential methods of cultivation, and recite them morning and evening without slackening.

Sixth, do not pursue glory and wealth. Break free from worldly entanglements, keep your aspirations focused and steadfast, and devote your heart and effort to the Dao’s teachings and methods.

Seventh, diligently recite the great scriptures and cultivate with single-minded devotion. Be willing to help living beings and open wide the bridge to the right path, building good affinities for a future life.

Eighth, always keep good thoughts. Be neither crooked nor deceitful; do not envy or harm others, and harbor no ill will.

Ninth, wherever you are reborn, may you always encounter an enlightened age and continually meet the Lingbao teachings.

Tenth, purify body and mind, uphold the precepts, observe purification rites and accumulate merit. Help living beings far and wide, so that they may all escape suffering.

Eleventh, study widely and read the scriptures. Explain and understand the teachings of the scriptures, giving guidance in advance to heavenly beings, so that living beings may receive instruction and salvation throughout.

Twelfth, in every generation, may you often encounter an enlightened teacher, receive instruction, and transmit the teachings, saving living beings beyond number.

These are the twelve wondrous instructions. Those who can put these good intentions into practice will encounter the scriptures of sages and worthies in every life and form affinities with the Dao. They will receive aid from the gods of the heavens, move freely through the Three Realms without hindrance, and remain far removed from the suffering of the Three Evil Destinies, the Five Paths, and the Eight Difficulties. The gods will respectfully protect them, and the earth deities will guard them. Their homes will be peaceful and secure, and no calamities will trouble them. Whatever they pray for will be fulfilled when they recite this scripture.

If good men and good women devote themselves to honoring this scripture, they will receive the protection of the great sages of the ten directions and attain understanding of the Way of Nature. Even amid water or fire, they will be able to transform their bodies and appearances and ascend to Shangqing, the high celestial realm described in Daoism. If their merit is not yet complete and they continue cultivating in the human world, whatever they pray for will be fulfilled when they recite this scripture.

If they must leave the world before their merit is complete, the Five Emperors will welcome them and escort them directly to the celestial palace, without their having to pass through Mount Tai. They will be reborn into a noble family, encounter the scriptures and teachings of the Dao once again, and ultimately attain liberation.

Dao said to Longci, “Practice diligently and receive these teachings with care. Do not grow lax or cease your efforts.” Longci bowed with a kowtow and respectfully accepted the precepts and instructions.

Dao said: “The true texts and incantations expound profound and important laws. The ancient scriptures have deep, winding meanings that are difficult to investigate and understand, making them hard for later students to put into practice. Therefore, the High Perfected added commentaries beneath the scriptures to explain their intricate and obscure passages. The Jade Instructions, which reveal the essential meaning of the scriptures, disclose and explain the ancient writings. Their words are subtle and mysterious, and are revered by the Celestial Worthies. When this Jade Chapter is recited, the gods of the ten directions will praise it together from afar, and Heaven itself will offer rites of reverence. Spirits and demons will submit, and ghosts and monsters will be destroyed.

Fifty jade boys and fifty jade girls attend the scripture. Anyone who has not passed through ten thousand kalpas in former lives and had their name recorded in the Great Mystery—the wondrous celestial realm described in Daoism—cannot see this Jade Text. Whoever has the good fortune to encounter and obtain it can attain the Dao of the immortals and extend blessings to the nine generations of ancestors. Its grace will flow down to descendants, freeing them all from the sufferings of the three evil destinies, the five paths, the eight difficulties, and other such ordeals. This scripture is supremely revered, and its wonders are beyond number.

The Supreme Method by Which the Primordial Beginning Lingbao Commands the Water Emperor to Erase Entries of Sin

The supreme method by which the Primordial Beginning Lingbao commands the Water Emperor to erase the register of sins:

A disciple of a certain Lingbao Emperor, named So-and-so, aged so many years and born in such-and-such a month, makes this request: The disciple seeks to become a god and an immortal, to live forever without dying, and to endure eternally through the Three Origins—the Daoist origins of Heaven, Earth, and Water. I beseech the Water Emperors of the Nine Offices, the gods of the twelve river sources, the water gods of the Yangtze, Yellow, Huai, and Ji Rivers, and the Great God Mingling: erase the disciple’s charges of sin, report this matter to the Nine Heavens, and permit the disciple to enter the Water Bureau. A golden dragon will serve as messenger and deliver this petition.

On such-and-such a day, month, and year, at such-and-such an hour, this petition is submitted in such-and-such a country.

Write the petition in cinnabar on a silverwood tablet, then wrap it in blue paper and bind it with blue silk thread. Have a golden dragon carry the tablet and cast it into the depths of the Three Rivers. First attach nine golden buttons to the tablet; after it sinks into the water, cast in the buttons. There is no need to repeat the casting three times before stopping. Choose a clear, deep pool for casting the tablet. Face north, click the teeth together three times, and recite the tablet’s incantation:

Five directional deities honored by the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, Shangdi, the True Immortals of the Ten Directions, and the immortal spirits of Taihua, please hear this proclamation in red script. Its voice reaches every hidden realm, leaving none unable to hear it. I report upward to the Nine Heavens and request that a jade writ be sent down: let it inform the sun, moon, and five planets, and the seven stars of the Northern Dipper; let it inform the Five Sacred Peaks and the numinous mountains of the four directions; and let it inform the rivers, seas, and oceans, the twelve springs, the immortal spirits of Jiuhua, the Water Emperors of the Nine Palaces, and the Great God Mingling.

Today I report to all the gods and state every wish. Please deliver this document for presentation above, and petition for my offenses to be erased. From my ancestors of countless generations and my relatives of the nine clans to myself, if any are bound up in the roots of wrongdoing or implicated in them, please erase their offenses as well and sever the roots of wrongdoing. Please enter my name in the Water Bureau, the divine office that governs the waters, and present it before Shangdi. May the parents of my ancestors of seven generations leave the Eight Calamities, ascend to the Nine Heavens, and find their clothing and food naturally provided in abundance. May the offenses upon my person disperse. May all the gods hear this matter. Seal it with a gold clasp and notify the Water Officials to carry it out. May the petitions above be presented as stated and carried by a Golden Dragon.

The Wondrous Scripture of the Jade Instructions of the Red Writ of the Numinous Treasure of the Cavern Mystery of the Most High, Scroll One

The Numinous Treasure method for informing the numinous mountains of the Five Sacred Peaks, erasing offenses, and praying to become an immortal, as revealed by Primordial Beginning

Disciple So-and-so of the Numinous Treasure Emperor So-and-so, aged so-and-so, born in the month of so-and-so, whose fate belongs to Emperor So-and-so and whose name is entered in the registers of Mount Tai, seeks to attain the Dao and become an immortal, live long and transcend the world, and ascend by flight to the highest clarity. These are the ritual words for informing the Perfected Ones of the Five Sacred Peaks and the highest gods.

Disciple So-and-so of the Numinous Treasure Emperor So-and-so, aged so-and-so, born in the month of so-and-so, whose fate belongs to Emperor So-and-so and whose name is entered in the registers of Mount Tai, seeks to attain the Dao and become an immortal, live long and transcend the world, and ascend by flight to the highest clarity. I pray that the Perfected Ones of the Five Sacred Peaks and the gods of supreme numinosity erase my name from the register of offenses, present my petition to the Nine Heavens, and permit me to go to the numinous mountain. This document is carried by a Golden Dragon.

On the first day of a certain month, at a certain hour, in a certain sexagenary year beginning with a certain stem-branch, the proclamation rite is performed on a certain sacred peak.

The document above is written in red characters on silver-wood tablets, wrapped in blue paper, bound with blue silk, and fitted with nine gold clasps. Carried by a Golden Dragon, it is buried in the sacred peak corresponding to the person’s fate register. Following the rite described above, face east at the peak associated with your birth fate, knock your teeth together nine times, read the text on the tablet, and then recite the incantation, saying:

The mysterious and lofty heavens have been revealed. The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun) watches over and confirms those who are sincere. The Supreme Lord and the Five Elders—the revered deities of the five directions—proclaim the foundations of Heaven and Earth through vermilion divine script. They govern the Three Origins (the Upper, Middle, and Lower Origins), regulate primordial Qi, summon the spirits, and invite immortals and perfected beings to descend. The supreme talismanic decree is proclaimed throughout the ten directions of the heavens, and also made known to the sun, moon, and stars; the sacred mountains of the Five Peaks; and the spirits of the world below.

Great Deity Mingling and the Registrar who Oversees Births and Records, deities who govern life and registers of names, please open the three southern gates above, take out the jade slip, enter the name in the cinnabar register, and erase the record of transgressions, so that the person may ascend to serve among the Celestial Emperor’s retainers. Ancestors of a thousand generations, forebears of ten thousand generations, and relatives of the nine clans will all thereby be released from suffering. Those who have endured the Five Paths and Eight Calamities may leave the three evil paths, and their souls ascend to the nine heavens. The living and the dead alike will be delivered, and will endure through countless kalpas. Today this matter is reported to Heaven, and all the gods come to hear it. We earnestly ask that the Golden Clasp and the true officials join in alliance and bear witness, that the matter be carried out as reported, and that a golden dragon convey the document.

The Lingbao Instruction of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning to the Earth Emperors of the Nine Earths: A Superior Method for Erasing Transgressions, Registering Names, and Seeking Immortality

Disciple So-and-so, a follower of Emperor So-and-so of Lingbao, is of such-and-such years of age and was born in such-and-such a month. The disciple’s life register is held among the nine heavens, and the Eastern Dipper—the divine constellation system of the east—oversees the disciple’s name register. The disciple wishes to cultivate the spirit and become immortal, attain long life, transcend the world, and ascend to Shangqing, the Daoist realm of the immortals in the highest heavens. We earnestly ask the Central Emperor, the Yellow Gods of the Nine Earths, Wu and Ji, and the Five Emperors of the Earth Bureau, deities who govern the land and affairs of the underworld, to erase the record of transgressions and enter the disciple’s name in the Great Mystery. Please grant the disciple permission to go to the Central Palace and present a jade slip on which the name is registered. Let the Golden Clasp serve as proof, and let a golden dragon convey the document.

In the year of the sexagenary cycle beginning with Jiazi, under the Grand Duke of the Year, on the first day of such-and-such a month, at such-and-such a time, this document is presented in such-and-such a prefecture and county.

The document above is to be written in cinnabar on a silver-wood slip, wrapped in blue paper, bound with blue silk, and furnished with nine Golden Clasps. A golden dragon is to carry it and bury it in the Central Palace of the residence. All is to be done according to the ritual procedure described above. In the central courtyard, face the Ren direction and click the teeth twelve times. On such-and-such a day, at such-and-such a time, this document is presented in such-and-such a prefecture and county.

The document above is to be written in cinnabar on a silver-wood slip, wrapped in blue paper, bound with blue silk, and furnished with nine Golden Clasps. A golden dragon is to carry it and bury it in the Central Palace of the residence. All is to be done according to the ritual procedure described above. In the central courtyard, face the Ren direction and click the teeth twelve times. After reading the text on the slip, recite the incantation, saying:

When Heaven opened and Earth was formed, the nine original Qi (vital energy) of the cosmos divided and revealed their power. The talismanic decrees of the Three Origins—the three realms governed by the officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water—came into harmony, and the worlds in the ten directions became bright and pure. The Five Old Emperors opened the True Way and guided all beings. The supreme subtle essence of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning became cinnabar writings in a book of red script, proclaiming throughout the nine provinces the spirits of Heaven and Earth: “Today I submit a petition to the Heavenly Court to establish immortal registers for the myriad immortals. I pray that I may become an immortal; please enter my name in the jade register. I beseech the Great Sovereign of the Earthly Court, who governs the underworld, to erase my punishments for past offenses and report my name to the Upper Palace, enrolling me among the immortals of the Flowery Azure Register, so that I may ascend soon and share the life of Heaven and Earth. May the decayed remains of my nine generations of ancestors and my kin be renewed with life, and may their souls rise to the Southern Palace to receive salvation in the immortal realm.” On an auspicious day, the decree is proclaimed, and all the gods come to hear it. Let the golden token used in an oath attest to utmost sincerity; may the petition be fulfilled as desired, and may a golden dragon carry it to Heaven.

The Dao says: “If your hearts are sincere and you resolve to pursue the supreme Dao, wishing to save virtuous men and women in Heaven and the world, so that all may escape the three evils—hell, hungry ghosts, and beasts—the five paths of rebirth, and the eight obstacles to cultivating the Dao and hearing its teachings, pass through a perilous age, and encounter the Dao, then on one of the eight seasonal festivals or a Jiazi day, submit a jade register of the Three Origins to the officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water. Have your former record of offenses erased and report your names to Heaven. Each matter must be reported three times.

“The three officials and nine offices of Heaven, Earth, and Water relay messages to one another and make reciprocal commitments. Heaven examines the matter truthfully; the myriad gods respectfully protect and uphold you; the Five Emperors attend and guard you; and the officials of the three realms come out to welcome you. The gates and doors are put in order; the Earth spirits throughout the world, along with the sun and moon, come to pay their respects. No matter how many demons and spirits there are, none will dare intrude without leave. So long as your resolve and wishes remain steadfast and pure, whatever you pray for will be accomplished. Your ancestors of seven generations and your parents, too, can be released from the three paths and five sufferings and ascend to the Heavenly Palace. The blessings and favor that extend between the living and the dead correspond to one another, following like shadow and form. The three officials and nine offices record people’s merits and faults, and their principles are perfectly clear; the causes and ties formed across generations, down to the smallest detail, are never in error. You must practice this diligently and without slackening, lest evil spirits damage your resolve to cultivate the truth.”

The True Writings of the Azure Heaven and the Jade Formula of Red Script, Transformed from the Nine Qi of the East

The Azure Heaven formed from the nine Qi of the East is the primordial realm of the blue-green heavens. Emerald clouds gather in profusion. Within them is an old man who oversees charts, registers, and names, governs the original Qi, and welcomes and brings down the immortals and perfected ones.

These twenty-four characters govern the summoning of the Nine Heavens’ Supreme Emperor, one of the highest divine beings in the heavens, and the verification of the registers of immortals. Those who study the Dao and seek immortality often write the twenty-four characters in blue on a white wooden slip on their birth day, a Jiazi day, or the day Beginning of Spring. Beneath the characters, they record their name and the year and month, then cast the slip onto the summit of a sacred mountain. After nine years, immortal officials will arrive and send nine blue-waisted jade maidens—female immortals of the heavens—to guide them, enabling the practitioner to ascend and become an immortal.

The Year Star, Jupiter, assists the liver; the Horn and Neck mansions guard true Qi. The Root, Room, Heart, and Tail mansions revolve with the changing scenes of the four seasons. The Winnowing Basket mansion governs the Seven Luminaries. The Northern Dipper follows its proper course, shining brightly. It receives the Qi of Heaven and Earth, captures and expels evil and wrongdoing, and sweeps away every kind of calamity.

These thirty-two characters govern the summoning of celestial officials of the stars and the correction of the heavens’ divisions. When natural disasters occur or the stars move out of order, write the characters in cinnabar on blue paper and leave it exposed in the courtyard for nine days and nine nights. Each night, recite a separate prescribed incantation. When the ritual is complete, burn the paper and scatter its ashes into the blue smoke. At the same time, engrave the thirty-two characters on blue stone and bury it in the east. The disasters will then subside, and the stars will return to their proper positions.

The spirit Ruan of Eastern Mountain commands the summoning of the Nine Heavens. Following the ritual, write the talisman in cinnabar and recite the prescribed incantation, then burn it and scatter its ashes into the blue smoke. At the same time, engrave the thirty-two characters on blue stone and bury it in the east. The disasters will then subside, and the stars will return to their proper positions.

The spirit Ruan of Eastern Mountain commands the summoning of the Nine Heavens. Write the talismanic decree in cinnabar to assemble the gods of Feng Mountain, a legendary mountain in the underworld. The demons of the East are to send forth the ghosts; none of those who have been slain may be left behind—all must be sent to the Wood Palace. Those who dare to delay will be dealt with as well.

These thirty-two characters govern the capture and restraint of ghosts and demons and the setting right of Qi in the Nine Heavens. To perform this method, write the characters in cinnabar on a blue wooden slip, with the writing facing northeast, and recite the prescribed incantation three times. Ghosts and monsters will bind themselves, and every kind of demon will be destroyed. The practitioner must act with focused sincerity and reverence.

This method subdues the water spirits of the Eastern River and the Vast Sea below. In the face of great calamity and flooding, even if a flood dragon bears the burden, the water palace will open a path, clearing hundreds and thousands of channels. The Emperor’s red talismanic characters are accompanied by wind and fire, ceaselessly, without pause.

These thirty-two characters can encompass the measure of great calamities and floods governed by the Water Emperor of the Eastern Sea, and can also summon flood dragons and water deities. When faced with a flood, or when needing to cross a great body of water, write the thirty-two characters in yellow on blue paper, then carry out the instructions in another passage of incantation and cast the paper into the water. This will ensure a safe crossing. The scripture says that flood dragons will carry the person across on their backs, while the River Earl, the deity who governs rivers, will come to meet them, allowing them to travel beneath the water.

The one hundred and twenty characters above were all formed spontaneously by the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning. They are called “The Mysterious Chapter of the Grotto of Mystery on the Treasure of Generating Spirits,” and are also known as “The Eight Awesome Strategies of the Divine Incantation of Dongshan.”

The Jade Instructions for the Red Script of the Southern Cinnabar Heaven’s Three Qi

It is said that within the Southern Cinnabar Heaven stands the Jade Hall of the Red Emperor. Inside the hall is a great deity known as the Red Sovereign. Above the Red Sovereign, vapor rises and the three original Qi, the fundamental energies that constitute all things between Heaven and Earth, shine forth. Immortals receive their mandates from this source and follow the seasons marked by the sun’s course.

These thirty-two characters govern the charts and registers of the immortals of the Nine Heavens. Those who practice the Immortal Way may write the characters in cinnabar on a white thorn on their birth day, a Jiazi day, or the day of the Beginning of Summer. They should then write their name and the year and month beneath the thorn, and cast it from a high place on a numinous mountain. The scripture says that after nine years, an immortal official will arrive and send three Jade Maidens of Zhulings, female immortals from the realm of Zhulings, enabling the practitioner to ascend and become an immortal.

Yinghuo, the planet Mars, assists the Heart Mansion; the Well and Ghost Mansions guard the Room Mansion. The Willow, Star, Zhang, and Wing Mansions govern the four directions, while the Chariot Mansion presides over the seven mansions. They keep the Way of Heaven in perpetual motion, summon the appointed times and bring them into alignment, and make the right Way proceed like a relay courier. Through them, the red celestial script conveys the commands of the spirits.

These thirty-six characters are used to summon the star mansions and the three Jade Maidens of Zhulings, enabling the practitioner to ascend and become an immortal.

These thirty-six characters govern the summoning of star officials, the identification of the degrees of the constellations, and the correction of the celestial divisions. If the southern constellations move out of order and various calamities appear, write this passage in cinnabar on blue paper and leave it uncovered in the courtyard for three days and three nights. Each night, face south and recite it to completion according to the incantation transmitted separately. Then burn the text and scatter its ashes into the blue vapor. Also carve these thirty-six characters on red stone and bury it in the south. The celestial disaster will then be dispelled, and the constellations will return to their proper positions.

To the north, suppress Mount Feng (the legendary place where ghosts are confined), binding and escorting away the chiefs of the demonic kind. The offenses of those targeted by the talismanic decree are all clearly set out at their root. The Southern Mountain divine incantation can destroy and subdue thousands upon thousands of demons and evil spirits, disperse the demon host, and annihilate every trial and calamity.

These thirty-two characters govern the subjugation of the orthodox ghostly Qi of northern Fengdu. To perform this method, write the characters on yellow paper, attach it to red wood with the writing facing north, and recite the incantation transmitted separately. After performing this three times, the essences of ghosts and monsters will perish of their own accord, and the myriad demons will be bound and brought to submission. Perform the rite with focused attention and reverence.

The Southern River Water Emperor, the Great King Tai Bo, and the transmitted divine incantation can all sweep away misfortune throughout the realm: they halt floods and sudden inundations, ward off harm from water dragons, summon dragon deities, and open waterways so that a thousand roads become passable. If evil spirits cause disorder, they are gathered up and escorted to the Fire King or the Fire Palace. None disobeys the commands proclaimed by the red writing.

These forty-eight characters govern the gathering of the Southern Sea Water Emperor. If a major cycle turns and floods spread everywhere, or if it is necessary to summon water dragons and water deities, write these forty-eight characters in yellow ink on blue paper and recite the incantation transmitted separately. Then cast the paper into the water. This will enable passage across the water, and the water officials will come to receive and escort you.

The one hundred and forty-eight characters above are all the natural writing of the Southern Brahma Treasure, Changyang, the Cinnabar-Spirit True and Ancient Lord. They are also called the “Southern Clouds’ Heavenly Passage Treasure of the Spirit Writ,” the “Divine Incantation of the Nine Heavens,” or the “Red Heaven’s Eight Awesome Dispatches.”

The Jade Instructions for the Red Writing of the Central Yellow Heaven’s True Text

The Central Sovereign Spirit and the Yellow Supreme Heaven’s Origin gave birth to the Five Elders at the beginning. The Yellow Elder, the lofty and revered one enthroned at the center, governs the primordial Qi and watches over the true spirits. He commands the assembled immortals, oversees the mysterious registers and lists of the perfected immortals, sets the primordial Qi of Heaven in motion, and issues proclamations to all the gods.

The divine incantation of Zhongshan can summon dragons to rise into the clouds, restrain the Yellow River, and govern the sources of the nine rivers, preventing their waters from running wild and flooding. It distinguishes good from evil, and causes a thousand kinds of demons and ten thousand kinds of wicked beings to report to the Emperor Lord; none dares to disobey. The incantation burns like the blazing sun, and the power of the red writing in jade characters is thereby proclaimed in every direction.

These forty-eight characters govern the water sources in the four directions under the authority of the Water Emperor of the Central Sea, as well as the calamities of flooding. They are also used to summon water deities and flood dragons. To escape a flood or cross a great river, one may follow another incantatory method: write the forty-eight characters in yellow on blue paper, then cast it into the water. This will make it possible to cross, and the Water Official will come to welcome the traveler.

The 144 characters above are all writing that appeared naturally through the Central Jade Treasure Primordial Spirit Primordial Lord. They are also known as “The Nine-Heavens Numinous Script of the Cavern of Clear Light in the Treasure Kalpa,” “The Great Incantation of the Yellow Spirit,” or “The Strategic Text of the Yellow Emperor’s Awe-Inspiring Power.”

The Red Jade Instructions of the Qi of the Western Seven Heavens of the Plain Element

In the Western Plain Heaven—the celestial realm of the west—stand the White Emperor’s Seven Gates. The radiance of Metal’s numinous essence shines brightly, while the Qi of Taihua spreads through the realm. White rocks rise high, with seven kinds of heavenly Qi filling the space between them. There dwells the Great Spirit of the Primordial Elder Emperor, who governs the Qi of the lungs, oversees the inspection of the Nine Heavens and the checking of charts and registers, and can command and summon the High Immortals.

These forty-eight characters govern the summoning of immortal Qi. Those who cultivate the immortal Way may write them in white on their natal day, a Jiazi day, or the day of the Start of Autumn. Write them on a piece of white thornwood, and record your name and the year and month beneath the characters. Then cast the wood from a high place on a numinous mountain. It is said that after nine years, an immortal official will arrive and send seven Taishu Jade Maidens—celestial female immortals—to assist, enabling the practitioner to become immortal.

Venus is responsible for examining those who cultivate the immortal Way. On their natal day, a Jiazi day, or the day of the Start of Autumn, practitioners may write the forty-eight characters in white on a piece of white thornwood, record their name and the year and month below, and cast it from a high place on a numinous mountain. It is said that after nine years, an immortal official will arrive and send seven Taishu Jade Maidens to assist, enabling the practitioner to become immortal.

Venus governs the lungs; the stars Kui and Lou guard the hun soul and po soul. The stars Wei, Mao, Bi, and Zi jointly govern the Seven Passes, while the star Shen commands the Dipper’s Ladle and receives the talismanic mandate of the Northern Origin.

The talisman of the twenty-fourth character presides over the White Emperor Star Lord (Baidi Xingguan) and serves to regulate the order of the celestial bodies. If the western constellations go astray and various calamities appear, write this talisman in cinnabar on blue paper and expose it in the central courtyard for seven days and seven nights, facing west each evening while reciting the incantation given in the other method. Then burn the paper and scatter the ashes into the blue smoke. At the same time, carve these twenty-four characters on white stone and bury it in the west. The heavenly disasters will then dissipate on their own, and the constellations will return to their original positions.

"Red Writing of Jade Characters (sacred script of the Daoist scriptures), Proper Text of the Nine Heavens (the formal script of the Nine Heavens above), summoning and gathering the myriad qi (vital energies between heaven and earth), universally returning to the Lord Emperor (causing them to submit universally to the supreme Lord Emperor)."

The talisman of the sixteenth character presides over subduing the ghostly qi of the Six Heavens. Through practicing this method, the sixteen characters of the Black Writing will vanish on their own, and the constellations will be restored to their positions.

(The phrase "Red Writing of Jade Characters" is repeated here.)

There is also a sixteenth character, likewise presiding over the subjugation of the ghostly qi of the Six Heavens. The method is to write the sixteen characters of the Black Writing on a white wooden slip, with the talisman facing northeast, and recite the accompanying incantation seven times. The ghostly essences will then perish on their own, and the various demons will be bound in bodily form. The practitioner should carry this out with sincerity and single-minded focus.

The Western Mountain Divine Incantation (an incantation for summoning spirits and expelling evil in Daoist practice): Eight Majesties and Seven Transmissions. Talisman water can reach the dragon spirits, summon the mountains, and send down clouds and rain. Receiving these teachings here, one may together arrive at the Heavenly Gate, assist and guard the Highest Perfected, and cut off the roots of evil. If any inauspicious event occurs, seal it with the Golden Gate and, by the mandate of the Red Writing, proceed by the relay of wind and fire.

The talisman of the forty-eighth character presides over subduing the Lord of the Western Sea (the master of the water spirits) and the myriad spirits of the waters, summoning cloud dragons to guard against floods. If one wishes to know the condition of the spirits and monsters in the water, or faces a flood that fills the sky and seeks to survive it, write the forty-eight characters of the Yellow Writing on blue paper and cast it into the water by the other incantation method. One will immediately see the forms of the myriad water spirits. Dragons will carry people across the floodwaters, and the Water Officials will come to receive them.

The above totals one hundred and thirty-six characters. All of these are scriptures naturally formed by the Lord Huaoling Emperor of the Seven Treasure Golden Gate of the West. They are also known as the Jin Zhen Bao Ming Dong Wei Pian (Golden Perfected Precious Illumination Subtle Cave Chapter), the Western Mountain Divine Incantation, and the Eight Majesties Summoning Dragon Script.

Northern Five-Qi Mysterious Heaven True Script: The Red Writing Jade Secret

Within the Mysterious Heaven of the North, the Five Qi wander and circulate. Among them is the Black Emperor, who dwells together with the Two Emperors, the Taiwei (the central enclosure of the northern heaven), and other deities. These contents are summarized in the Dong Wei Pian, also known as the Western Mountain Divine Incantation and the Eight Majesties Summoning Dragon Script.

The True Script and Jade Instructions of the Five Qi of the Northern Mysterious Heaven, in Red Writing

Within the Northern Mysterious Heaven, five kinds of Qi flow back and forth. There dwell the Black Emperor and the two august sovereigns of Taiwei, who command talismanic decrees. Immortals refine and transform the numinous powers of the eight directions. They wear blue skirts, feathered robes, and garments patterned with dragons and phoenixes. The Supreme Lord sent down these writings, which were set out upon jade steps.

These forty characters govern the registers of the perfected beings and immortals. A Daoist cultivating the Way of the Immortals should, in the year of their birth sign, on a Jiazi day, or at the beginning of winter, write the forty characters in black on a white wooden slip. Beneath the characters, they should record their name and the year and month, then cast the slip from a high place on a numinous mountain. After five years, an immortal official will send five Great Mysterious Jade Maidens—goddesses of the immortal realm—to enter the name in the register of immortals.

The Northern Dipper’s Pivot Star assists the Kidney Qi, while the Dipper and Ox mansions guard the gates. The Maiden, Emptiness, Danger, and Room mansions open the gates in the four directions. The Wall mansion commands the seven stars, governs calamities and investigates transgressions, drives away disaster and impurity, and makes the Great Way manifest, radiant, and accessible.

These thirty-two characters govern the northern star officials and restore the proper course of the Qi in Heaven. If the northern constellations fall into disorder and omens of calamity appear, write the thirty-two characters in cinnabar on blue paper. Place the paper outdoors in the courtyard for five days and five nights. Each night, face north and recite the incantation according to the method recorded elsewhere. When the recitation is complete, burn the writing and scatter the ashes into the blue smoke. Also carve the thirty-two characters into black stone and bury it in the north. In this way, heavenly calamities will subside and the stars will return to their proper places.

The Divine Incantation of the Northern Mountain can stir Yang Qi and summon thunder. It causes the flashing, ringing bells to descend, shaking the sky and displaying their power. It commands the forces under the jurisdiction of Northern Feng, the abode of northern ghosts and spirits, and destroys the myriad demons.

These twenty-four characters govern the subjugation of celestial demons, the Northern Emperor, and the myriad ghosts. To perform this method, write the twenty-four characters in blue on a black wooden slip, with the writing facing northeast, and carry out the rite according to the incantation recorded elsewhere. Perform it five times; ghosts and spirits will then destroy themselves, and the assembled demons will be bound. The rite should be performed with focused and reverent intent.

The nine rivers run dry; flocks of crow mothers take flight; flood dragons pass freely, and the waterways extend in every direction. The red jade writing is carried swiftly, borne on dragon post-horses and driven onward by the wind.

These twenty-four characters govern and command the Northern Sea Water Emperor, subdue the various spirits and monsters in the water, and summon flood dragons to carry people on their backs. To cross great waters, avoid a flood, or save others from danger in the water, write the twenty-four characters in yellow on blue paper. Following the corresponding incantation, cast the paper into the water toward an image that corresponds to the matter at hand. This will enable you to cross the flooded waters. The flood dragons will open a waterway, and the Water Officials will come out to welcome you.

Together, the one hundred and twenty characters are the natural writing of the Northern Cavern’s Yin, Shuo, Dan, Yu, and Jue Five Spirits, the Mysterious Old Lord. The text is also called “The Precious, Luminous Writing through Which the Original Spirit Gives Birth to the True,” “The Northern Mountain Spirit Incantation,” and “The Celestial Writing that Commands the Eight Powers.”

Whenever you pray for the Dao, submit a calling card, or undertake any matter, first face east and click your teeth three times. Then take up incense and recite:

“Supreme Lord Lao, the Mysterious Origin and Beginning of the Three Qi of the Three Heavens, please summon the Three-Five Officers of Merit within my body—the divine clerks who convey documents—the attendants on the left and right, the dragon-riding clerks who carry incense messages on the left and right, the incense-attending Golden Boys, the message-bearing Jade Maidens, and the Five Emperors’ Commanding Officials, thirty-six of each, to come forth from the passes. Please inform the local Earth God and the True Officials of the four directions: I now respectfully burn incense and report upward. May the pure and upright Qi of the ten directions enter my body, so that the matter I report may be conveyed upward and reach the desk of the Supreme, Perfect, and Greatly Holy Divine Jade Emperor.”

Whenever Dao practitioners make a request or practice the highest arts, they must first perform a guanqi, the rite of burning incense and reporting to the gods. If they do not perform this rite first, they will be troubled by evil spirits; their requests will not be conveyed upward, their practice will receive no response, and the gods will not know of it. In the end, their efforts will be in vain.

The Jade Instructions on the True Writings in Red from the Five Elders of the Primordial Beginning for Cultivating the Dao and Seeking Immortality

The Dao teaches: Those who practice the highest methods should contemplate the spirits, realize the Great Dao, and live in the mountains to cultivate in quiet. Through purification and fasting, and by reciting the scriptures, they may deliver seven generations of ancestors and seek their own transformation into immortals. For this, they should practice the supreme method of the True Writings in Red Script of the Five Elders.

According to the old ritual, first click the teeth together twelve times, then recite:

“Most High, numinous and exalted; Primordial Beginning, honored deity; and all the great sages, please descend here. Let the myriad spirits come before the altar. May the three luminaries—the sun, moon, and stars—shine forth, and auspicious clouds fill the four directions. I respectfully report to Heaven: let the celestial realm examine its registers and enter me among the immortals of the Nine Heavens. Today I make my sincere petition and cast my name tablet toward the numinous mountain. Let the cinnabar writing and red characters, the True Writings formed naturally by Heaven, be reported above to the Five Emperors, and let my name be entered in the jade register. May the myriad spirits bear witness; may the sun and moon serve as proof.

“May I deliver the departed and be reborn; may I become an immortal. May Heaven, Earth, and the stars illuminate my body with their mysterious radiance. May the Three Offices, Nine Bureaus, and great deities of the Five Sacred Peaks proclaim throughout the boundless celestial realm and remove the roots of my sins. May the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning open wide the gate of grace and accept all my prayers. May the departed souls of my seven generations of ancestors naturally receive blessings, forever escaping the Three Paths, Five Sufferings, and Eight Calamities, and gaining the light of the three luminaries—the sun, moon, and stars—in the Purple Dawn Heaven. May the stars revolve without end, and mysterious light shine upon my body. May the Three Offices, Nine Bureaus, and great deities of the Five Sacred Peaks proclaim throughout the boundless celestial realm and remove the roots of my sins. May the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning open wide the gate of grace and accept my prayers, so that the departed souls of my seven generations of ancestors may naturally receive blessings, forever escape the Three Paths, Five Sufferings, and Eight Calamities, and gain the light of the three luminaries—the sun, moon, and stars—in the Purple Dawn Heaven. May they turn through the cycles without perishing, and may my own body ascend and become immortal.”

When the recitation is complete, read the name tablet bearing the petition to the end, cast it into a steep mountain crag, and scatter incense over the numinous mountain. Then click the teeth together three times, face the Star Lord of One’s Birth Destiny—the stellar deity corresponding to one’s birth year—and recite:

“Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, look upon me with discernment: my immortal name has been registered. The Three Offices and Nine Bureaus will remove all my transgressions. I have scattered incense and reported my petition to the Five Emperors, and have sworn an oath before the Great Void. I humbly ask that, in accordance with the wishes I have stated, I may dwell for a long time amid the myriad kalpas.”

After reciting, raise the head and swallow nine breaths. The ritual is then complete.

Jade Instructions for the True Writings of the Five Elders of Primordial Beginning for Averting the Calamities of Guest Stars and Determining the Celestial Measures

The Dao says: The stars in each of the heavens have their own courses and degrees of motion. When their paths cross and stray, encroaching upon one another, or when unusual signs appear in the regions of the four directions, these are calamities and anomalies brought about by irregular celestial cycles and the disturbance of Qi. Such anomalies may appear over a particular celestial region or state. The light of Heaven then turns and shines, secretly foretelling misfortune through these signs. For this reason, the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning left scriptures to harmonize the cycles of Heaven, stabilize the earth, dispel calamities, and bring peace to the state and its people. Those who cultivate the Dao should devote themselves wholeheartedly to practice in accordance with the prescribed rites.

On the day an anomaly appears, write the revealed talismanic text according to the old method and place it uncovered in the center of the courtyard. Face the direction where the anomaly has appeared, click your teeth twelve times, let your hair hang loose, and raise your face to Heaven as you recite:

Primordial Beginning, Heaven above: the Sun, Moon, and stars shine with radiant light, their brilliance turning back to illuminate all things and make the four directions clear. Now the cycles of Heaven clash, and the celestial signs surge and stir; the regions of the Five Directions cross and stray, and the Three Cycles have lost their harmony. The Lords of the Five Dippers govern the stars, and the spirits of the Seven Lodges respond with numinous power. The True Lord, Great Kui, whose personal name is Jade Essence, and the Lady Imperial Consort, whose courtesy name is Nurturing Infant, together govern the Mysterious Pass and turn the heavens. Now a calamity has arrived, secretly foretelling misfortune. I respectfully present the revealed talismanic text and vermilion script to the Celestial Court. I let my hair hang loose to acknowledge my faults and expose the sincerity of my heart. I humbly beseech the spirits to look upon me with clear insight and restore the regular course of the Dao, so that Qi no longer crosses its proper bounds and calamities no longer arise without cause. Burn the numinous text and let its smoke drift to the Jade Court. May Heaven oversee the cycles of time and announce this throughout the host of spirits, so that the Qi of the Three Passes may be pure and harmonious, the calamities of the Nine Depths dispelled, Yin and Yang brought into balance, and the land made peaceful. I humbly beseech that a Golden Dragon and Wind Horse carry this petition.

When the invocation is complete, leave the revealed talismanic text uncovered in the center of the courtyard and weight it down with a Golden Dragon. If the anomaly has appeared in the east, set it out for nine days and nights. When the period is over, burn the talismanic text and scatter its ashes into the blue smoke.

For any ritual intended to avert natural disasters, secure the state, and bring peace to the people, lamps must be lit according to the direction from which the disaster comes, their light shining upon the heavens. If the disaster is in the east, light nine lamps; alternatively, ninety or nine hundred lamps may be lit. Use also a golden dragon weighing one liang. Then use ninety chi of blue silk, continuously for nine days and nine nights. If the disaster is in the south, light three lamps, or alternatively thirty or three hundred; use thirty chi of red silk for three days and three nights. If the disaster is in the center, light twelve lamps, or alternatively one hundred and twenty or one thousand two hundred; use one hundred and twenty chi of yellow silk for twelve days and twelve nights. If the disaster is in the west, light seven lamps, or alternatively seventy or seven hundred; use seventy chi of white silk for seven days and seven nights. If the disaster is in the north, light five lamps, or alternatively fifty or five hundred; use fifty chi of black silk for five days and five nights. These are the ritual procedures of the Primordial Beginning Lingbao Upper Origin Liturgy, a Lingbao purification ritual for averting disaster and praying for peace.

The True Writ and Jade Instructions of the Primordial Five Elders for Averting the Great Calamity of Flood, Summoning Flood Dragons and Water Officials to Deliver People from Disaster (the true writ and ritual instructions used by the Five Elders of the Five Directions under the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning to avert catastrophic floods and summon flood dragons and deities of the water palaces to rescue those in peril).

The Dao says: When Heaven and Earth encounter a great catastrophe, floods surge everywhere, washing away filth and driving out evil, while nearly all living things perish. At that time, Heaven and Earth are dark and confused, and people wander in exile, no longer able to distinguish good from evil. Only those who resolve to study and obtain the “Perfect Writ of the Numinous Treasure” (sacred talismans recorded in the Numinous Treasure scriptures), along with talismans for facing great and lesser catastrophes, can ride on flying feathers to a high vantage point, ascend to numinous peaks (immortal mountains where the immortals dwell), and fly through the air.

At that time, divine beings will naturally have the flood dragons open the way for them, carving channels through the waters so people can cross. The River Earl (the water deity who governs the rivers) will wait nearby to receive them, so there will be no need to build a ferry crossing or a bridge. This reveals the wondrous power of the numinous writings, which are not meant only for times when a catastrophe strikes Heaven and Earth. When faced with such circumstances, follow the instructions in the scripture: face north and click your teeth five times, then hold your breath for twenty-five breaths (one breath is one inhalation and exhalation). Visualize a flame arising in your heart. Let fire emerge from the crown of your head and spread through the surrounding mountains, forests, and plants, burning everything, including your own body. Let your form turn to dust, then immediately ascend above the blue smoke, leaving no trace. Next, visualize the floodwaters surging across the world, and transform yourself into a flood dragon, drifting along with the current.

Then click your teeth twenty-five times, tilt your face upward, and recite the incantation:

At the beginning, numinous Qi turns back, opening the Nine Primal Energies (the ninefold energies of the heavens). The celestial bodies move; the earth’s contours shift. The two Qi of Yin-Yang circulate and spread, and the Five Phases spur one another onward. The pivot of Heaven and Earth’s movement turns with them. Yin and Yang close off and surge against each other, condensing into calamity; the great catastrophe is about to bring all things down. Filth is washed away and calamity Qi driven out. The Nine Rivers undergo this upheaval, and floodwaters churn through the waterways. The Mother of Waters comes and goes, wandering back and forth; birds and horses gather together. The sun and moon meet in darkness, and the three celestial signs—the sun, moon, and stars—cease their courses. Heaven selects the virtuous descendants, examines the jade writings, casts out evil and preserves good, and makes the clear and turbid forever distinct.

I have consulted the documents of the Celestial Emperor, and my name has already been entered in the register of immortals of the Nine Heavens. When great calamity strikes, I am protected by the Red Writ (a sacred Daoist talismanic text). Now, acting under orders, I make this invocation, and all the myriad spirits will hear it. The sun, moon, and five planets shine upon my soul; the numinous mountains of the Five Peaks bear and escort my body. The great spirit Mingling of the water palaces of the Nine Rivers opens the waterways and clears the channels for me. Dragons come in obedience to the talismanic command, bringing mountain spirits to escort my spiritual body. They carry me, ferry me across, and race swiftly onward. The Golden Dragon bears and presents the cinnabar document, written in red, and the primordial True Writ. At this moment, my soul must pass through the numinous mountains of the Five Peaks and the water palaces of the Nine Rivers, with the spirits opening the way and escorting me. The talismanic text is presented promptly by the Golden Dragon, without the slightest delay, and at once ascends to the Celestial Court to report to the august Emperor.

When the incantation is complete, swallow the Qi you have drawn in twenty-five times. A short while later, the spirit who opens the waters will come to ferry your body across. If you are in the mountains, the mountains will rise up; if you are on the water, the waters will part of their own accord. In this way, you can be rescued in a moment of danger. In an instant, every peril between Heaven and Earth will subside.

Jade Instructions for the Red Writ of the Primordial Beginning’s Five Elders, Who Summon and Control the Ghosts and Demons of Northern Feng

The Dao says: After receiving the supreme Lingbao teaching, you can summon the spirits to appear. Through visualization (quietly forming images in the mind), you convey your thoughts and meet the Heavenly Perfected (immortal beings of the celestial realm). In practice, first learn to recognize the forms of ghosts and demons, so that you can prevent them from disturbing or obstructing you. Once demonic essences have been subdued, visualization will naturally bring a response, and the spirits will be more likely to appear. To perform this method, follow the True Writ described earlier: face northeast, click your teeth thirty-six times, hold your breath nine times, then raise your head and recite the incantation:

As the Three Primordial Energies (the energies of the upper, middle, and lower cycles) open and become manifest, the regular order of the Heavenly Dao turns back upon itself. The cycles of fate move to their extreme, and the calamity of one hundred and six years—the tribulation cycle described in Daoism—becomes the governing law. When the great tribulations converge, myriad demons compete to wreak havoc. Beifeng, the underworld realm that governs ghosts and spirits, ceases to restrain them and lets the ghostly beings run rampant. Demons roam unchecked, and baleful energy veils the light of Heaven.

The Supreme Emperor issues a command, proclaiming it throughout the ten directions. He explains the affairs of the heavenly demons and widely opens the teachings of the Dao. The Orthodox Way is to govern all beings and sweep away ill omens. Whether they are minor demons or evil spirits gathered in groups to cause disorder, they must all be restrained in the realm of ghosts by the Red Writ in Jade Script, a talismanic text with the power to subdue ghosts and demons. The Three Officials of Beifeng, divine officers who oversee the affairs of the underworld, must swiftly relay and carry out the order: a thousand demons are bound, and ten thousand ghosts are driven away. The flowing bells shine in mutual radiance, stirring the energy of Yang harmony. Golden tigers patrol the four quarters, while the celestial troops replenish the ranks of the fallen. Evil spirits, great and small, must all appear; none may hide. This is the command of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning and must be presented in a memorial to the highest heavenly court.

Jade Instructions on the True Writs of the Five Emperors of the Numinous Treasure of Primordial Beginning

When a Daoist uses the true talisman of the Azure Emperor, they face east and knock their teeth together nine times. They visualize azure energy entering through the mouth and reaching the liver, where it gives rise to nine layers of azure radiance that shine all the way to the back of the neck. They then write out the talisman, place it before them, and recite the incantation from the Jade Instructions:

Azure essence comes from the Primordial Source above; it is the great numen formed from the nine Qi. Divine radiance spreads like rosy clouds, streaming light across the east. Splendid visions flourish and pour into my form. The palace and its chambers are settled, and the precious soul arises of itself. I penetrate the bright realms of the eight directions and ascend to the Jade Court.

After reciting, draw in the breath and swallow nine times. As described above, the talisman may be worn or taken according to the prescribed method.

When a Daoist uses the true talisman of the Red Emperor, they face south and knock their teeth together three times. They visualize red energy entering through the mouth and reaching the heart, where it gives rise to three layers of red radiance that shine across the chest. They then write out the talisman, place it before them, and recite the incantation:

Cinnabar-red radiance flows and shines; precious mushrooms emerge in splendor. Divine, wondrous essence penetrates the hidden darkness, and numinous energy spreads through the eight directions. The true talisman gathers primordial energy and summons the Vermilion Youth, a red-colored deity. Three essences appear in radiance and pour into my Crimson Palace, the Daoist name for the heart’s seat. The Red Spirit settles there; the five fragrances fill body and mind. Its light shines beyond the body, illuminating both within and without. The energies of Water and Fire arise within the body, enabling me to walk alone and ascend by flight.

After reciting, draw in the breath and swallow three times; the method is the same as above.

The Daoist wears the Yellow Emperor’s True Talisman, representing the center and the spleen, and faces the royal direction, clicking the teeth twelve times. Then the practitioner visualizes yellow Qi entering through the mouth and flowing into the Crimson Palace, the seat of the heart, where it settles and guards the Red Spirit. The five fragrances fill the body, and radiance shines beyond it, illuminating both inside and out. The body seems to give rise to water and fire, enabling the practitioner to walk and fly alone.

After the ritual, guide the Qi as described earlier and swallow it in three portions.

The Daoist wears the Yellow Emperor’s True Talisman, faces the royal direction, and clicks the teeth twelve times. The practitioner visualizes yellow Qi entering through the mouth and flowing into the spleen, where it transforms into twelve layers of yellow precious light that illuminate the whole body. Write the talisman and place it before you, then recite the incantation:

I gather and command primordial Qi, writing this numinous talisman to turn the spirits back toward the four directions. The upper yellow Qi spreads its radiance, and the Lords of the Five Directions shine in response to one another. Jing and Qi flow without dispersing, forming twelve layers of light that merge with my body. The gods come forth to welcome me. I stabilize and protect the Yellow Spleen, nurture primordial Qi in the central palace, preserve my life, pass through calamities, and guard it forever without cease.

After reciting, guide the Qi as described earlier and swallow it in twelve portions.

The Daoist wears the White Emperor’s True Talisman, representing the west and the lungs, and faces west, clicking the teeth seven times. The practitioner visualizes white Qi entering through the mouth and flowing into the lungs, where it transforms into seven layers of white precious light that illuminate the Dantian, the area within the body where Jing and Qi are cultivated. Write the talisman and place it before you, then recite the incantation:

The seven breaths of the Metal Spirit, white radiance flowing. The Metal Essence Youth, a spirit corresponding to Metal Qi, wears a primordial headcloth and carries a talisman, commanding the breaths as the gods gather at the gate. Precious light shines brightly, illuminating the root of my life. Stabilize and guard the radiance within the lungs, keeping it enduring through ten thousand kalpas.

After reciting, guide the Qi as described earlier and swallow it in seven portions.

The Daoist wears the Black Emperor’s True Talisman, representing the north and the kidneys, and faces north, clicking the teeth five times. The practitioner visualizes black Qi entering through the mouth and flowing into the kidneys, where it transforms into five layers of dark precious light that illuminate the whole body, preserving it through ten thousand kalpas.

After reciting, guide the Qi as described earlier and swallow it in seven portions.

The Daoist wears the Black Emperor’s True Talisman, faces north, and clicks the teeth five times. The practitioner visualizes black Qi entering through the mouth and flowing into the kidneys, where it transforms into five layers of dark precious light that illuminate the back of the body. Write the talisman and place it before you, then recite the incantation:

The Great Dark Qi of the north, five breaths turning and flowing, five layers of precious radiance shining brightly. Clouds and vapor flourish in splendid beauty; their light illuminates the Grand Tenuity, where the celestial officials dwell, then pours down into my body, making the kidney palace clear and visible. Stabilize and guard the numinous dwelling within me, so that all the gods return there. My body grows feathered robes, and I can descend into the human world and fly at will.

After reciting, guide the Qi as described earlier and swallow it in five portions.

Take bamboo from a sacred mountain facing the direction of the King. The whole stalk should be seven feet long and have seven joints. Make it into a spirit staff, a ritual implement endowed with magical power, straight from end to end. Sweet bamboo is best. Write the Black Emperor’s talisman on the second joint, the White Emperor’s on the third, the Yellow Emperor’s on the fourth, the Red Emperor’s on the fifth, and the Blue Emperor’s on the sixth. Leave the top joint empty, to connect with the heavenly realm, and the bottom joint empty, to establish the earthly realm.

Seal the top joint with wax, bore a hole through its center, and stamp it with the Seal of the Primordial Beginning. Then seal the bottom joint with wax, bore a hole through its center, and stamp it with the Seal of the Five Emperors. Make a staff cover from deep-red patterned brocade, sized to fit the spirit staff. Keep it with you at all times, whether lying down to rest or sitting up. When traveling, you may remove the cover and put the staff away before going out or coming in. Each time, place it in a clean spot.

Point the staff at the sky, and the heavenly spirits will bow. Point it at the earth, and the earth spirits will come to welcome you. Point it toward the northeast, and the myriad ghosts will be subdued. When carrying the staff on a journey or preparing to use it, click your teeth thirty-six times and visualize each of the Five Emperors dispatching a Direct Talisman Officer, a divine official charged with keeping watch and conveying talismanic commands. They wear robes in the colors corresponding to their respective directions. Five-colored radiance flows and shines upon the staff, while each of the Five Emperors sends a Jade Maiden to guard one side of it. Then softly recite:

“Mount Taiyang, sacred mountain, is where the Primordial Lord’s original vital essence resides. It opened Heaven and Earth and gave spiritual power to sweet bamboo. The Direct Talisman Officers guard the spirit staff and command the divine troops; five-colored radiance flows and flashes, and crimson flames answer the golden bells. You assist and protect the perfected ones, enabling them to enter and leave the hidden realms. Summon the heavenly spirits, and they come respectfully; command the earth spirits, and they come to welcome you. Point at ghosts and monsters, and they are destroyed; demons are subdued and can no longer cause harm. The numinous talisman staff shakes the four quarters. May it accomplish its work together with me, and endure forever together with me. After ten thousand aeons, may the spirit staff take the place of my body; may my body divide into five, and my spirit ascend to Shangqing, the Daoist upper heaven. None may dare to hear and obey the commands conveyed by the talisman without showing reverence.”

After reciting, draw in the Qi of the Five Directions—the east, south, west, north, and center—and swallow the Qi from each direction five times, for a total of twenty-five swallows.

If one follows the path of cultivation for nine years, always diligent and careful, never growing lax, the spirits will reveal their true forms, and a staff will be able to carry a person through the air. If one wishes to leave the mortal body by “liberation through the corpse,” the staff will take the place of the body. After undergoing the practice called “Tiaoxu,” one has become a perfected person. On the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month, and on the Eight Seasonal Festivals, incense should be burned on either side of the staff and it should be venerated. The spirits will respond and descend, and the Dao will thus be accomplished.

The Jade Instructions for the Eight-Power Spirit Tally of Lingbao

Write in cinnabar the text “The Supreme One of the Three Heavens Summons and Subdues Flood Dragons, Tigers, Leopards, and Mountain Spirits,” and place it on a silverwood tablet. On another tablet, write the year, month, and the surname and personal name of the master. Join the two tablets together and put them in a pouch. Separately, write the text given below in cinnabar on a third tablet, and place it on the outside of the pouch. In all, there are three tablets. Join them, seal them, and make them into a “spirit tally,” shaped like a token of transmission.

All the tablets should be made of silverwood, one chi and four cun long and two cun and four fen wide. Make a pouch from crimson fabric, one zhang and two chi long, and wrap and seal it around the outer tablet. At the sealed opening at the bottom of the pouch, stamp the seal “The Seal of the Five Elders of the Central Origin.” Then make a box from paulownia wood and decorate it with crimson fabric. Use it to hold the spirit-tally document, and place it in a room of its own. Burn incense on either side of the box and offer it with sincere devotion. After receiving the tally, wear it on your person. The spirits of the world will come morning and evening to pay homage at your door, and will grant the wearer twelve jade youths and twelve jade maidens of the Five Emperors, who will accompany them in their comings and goings. The Five Emperors will guard and protect them, while the divine officials of the Three Realms will welcome them. Thus, between life and death, one will no longer face the three calamities, nor need pass through Mount Tai, but may ascend directly to the Nine Heavens. Food and clothing will come of themselves, one’s rank will equal that of Taiji, and in the end one will become an immortal of one’s own accord.

Those who aspire to cultivate the Dao may wear this text. When performing the divine incantation, point the divine staff toward the sky, and the celestial gods will bow; point it toward the ground, and the earth gods will prostrate themselves. The spirits of the Three Realms will also put their robes and caps in order. Point it at a deity, and the deity will bow; point it at a ghost or apparition, and it will vanish of its own accord. Point it toward a body of water, and the water god will open a passage.

When a great calamity comes and floods rage everywhere, one can use the divine staff to summon the Dragon God and have it carry one forward. Through long practice and the accumulation of spiritual responses, one can meet and commune with the gods. Wherever one may be, the gods will descend at the summons of a spell. Their wondrous powers and transformations are boundless, and every action can follow one’s wishes. One may come and go throughout the world, dwelling only in Taiji (the lofty celestial realm described in Daoist tradition). Flying dragons lead the way, while the Celestial Jun (the power or order of the heavens) accompanies and guides. Phoenixes and luan birds sing, twelve radiant beams appear, and the three-seven-colored ceremonial staff and the banner that gathers spirits are raised. After nine years of focused cultivation, the celestial procession will naturally be complete.

Incantation of the Eight Awe-Inspiring Powers of the Lingbao Divine Staff:

The Primordial Lord’s true Qi and original truth; the Five Numinous Ones, supreme and enthroned above; the radiance of Taihua, pure and shining, illuminating and penetrating the eight gates in all directions. The Five Elders transmit their command, which reaches every hidden and obscure place. Above, it governs the Nine Heavens; in the middle, it subdues Feng Mountain, abode of the underworld; below, it commands the rivers and seas and the twelve sources of water. The Eight Awe-Inspiring Divine Incantations and the jade text of the numinous staff can summon dragons to bear one across the floods, gather breath and clouds, bind demons and dispatch ghosts, sweep away evil forces, and destroy every kind of strange spirit. Whatever must be eliminated is brought under control.

The sun, moon, and Five Planets; the seven stars of the Northern Dipper; every heaven and every land, every river and every mountain; the spirits under the jurisdiction of the Jade True One; the Great God of Mingling; and the places where the Immortal Kings feast and wander—all are subject to the command. The Five Emperors hold the banners, celestial soldiers clear the way in front, and the Golden Tiger runs behind. Fierce beasts of the heavens guard the passes in all four directions. Whoever is summoned arrives at once; whoever is called comes immediately before you. The radiance of the Red Script appears, and wind and fire rush unhindered. The Golden Dragon conveys the efficacy of every act of summoning and command.

When the incantation is complete, click the teeth nine times, raise your head to the sky and cry out three times, draw in celestial Qi and swallow three times. Then point the divine staff toward the place where offerings are to be made, hold your breath nine times, and the rite is complete.

When Daoist practitioners withdraw from the world to cultivate, they may write down the Red Script of the Azure Emperor, the celestial deity who governs the East, and place it in the east. The Immortal Officials of the Eastern Peak will then arrive. If they fast for one hundred days and focus their thoughts on the revered deity of the Numinous Treasure, the perfected beings of Heaven will descend, bestow nine Jade Maidens of the Azure Waist, and enable the practitioner to obtain the immortal fungus of the Eastern Peak and the medicine of eternal life. The ghosts, demons, and monsters under the Azure Emperor’s command will retreat ninety thousand li. The evil beings, fierce beasts, and venomous creatures in that region will no longer harbor the intent to harm people; instead, they will draw near to the benevolent and kind. Through twenty-four years of fasting and cultivation, one may become an immortal. Even simply carrying this true script on one’s person can enable one to undergo corpse liberation—the Daoist transformation in which the body is shed and the spirit ascends to immortality—and be reborn as an immortal.

If disasters occur in the eastern part of a realm or during the three months of spring, and one wishes to bring peace to the East, the true script may be written in red on a piece of blue-green stone and used to guard the nine heavens in the east. The disasters will then vanish of their own accord, and the evil, rebellious forces will disperse. The people of that region will become benevolent and kind; the Azure Dragon will arrive, auspicious signs will follow, and the country will be at peace. Writing out the true script and wearing it on one’s person can ward off misfortune and unexpected calamities, keep one in constant communion with the gods, protect the country and household, and bring blessings for a long time.

Daoist practitioners may write down the true script of the Vermilion Emperor, the celestial deity who governs the South, and place it in the south. The Immortal Officials of the Southern Peak will then arrive. If they fast for one hundred days and focus their thoughts on the revered deity of the Numinous Treasure, the perfected beings of Heaven will descend, bestow three Jade Maidens of the Vermilion Mound, and enable the practitioner to obtain the immortal fungus of the Southern Peak and the medicine of eternal life. The ghosts, demons, and monsters under the Vermilion Emperor’s command will retreat thirty thousand li. The evil beings, fierce beasts, and venomous creatures in that region will no longer harbor the intent to harm people; instead, they will draw near to the benevolent and kind. Through twenty-four years of fasting and cultivation, one may become an immortal. Even simply carrying this true script on one’s person can enable one to undergo corpse liberation and be reborn as an immortal.

If disasters occur in the southern part of a realm or during the three months of summer, and one wishes to bring peace to the South, the true script may be written in vermilion on a piece of red stone and used to guard the south, bringing peace to the people of that region.

When calamities strike in the south of a country, or during the three months of summer, and one wishes to pacify the south, write the talismanic text in cinnabar on a red stone and set it in the south for three days. The calamities will then recede, and dangerous rebellions will subside. The number of benevolent and kind people in the region will grow, auspicious signs will appear, phoenixes will arrive, and luan birds and cranes will soar and sing. Celestial beings will sing in celebration of peace throughout the country. Wearing the talisman will prevent calamities, drive away evil forces, and dispel impurities. It can also summon the spirits and bring boundless blessings, prolonging life, bringing prosperity to the household, and securing peace for the country.

After a Daoist priest has written the Yellow Emperor’s True Script, a numinous text associated with the Yellow Emperor, and placed it in the central direction, the immortal officials of Mount Zhong will descend. If one can maintain ritual purification for a hundred days and focus on visualizing the revered deity of Lingbao, perfected beings from Heaven will descend and bestow twelve jade maidens carrying yellow silk, as well as Mount Zhong’s immortal mushrooms and numinous herbs and medicines for long life and immortality. The ghosts and demons under the Yellow Emperor’s command will flee far away. Within 120,000 li of the central direction, fierce evil beings and poisonous insects will lose all desire to harm people and instead become benevolent. If one practices through ritual purification for twenty-four years, one will attain immortality. Simply wearing this talisman can also bring about corpse liberation—the Daoist transformation in which the body is left behind and the spirit departs to become immortal—so that, after reincarnation, one ultimately becomes an immortal.

When calamities strike the country’s center or the months when the seasons change, and one wishes to pacify the central land, write the talismanic text in cinnabar on a yellow stone and set it in the center for twelve days. The calamities will then recede, and dangerous rebellions will subside. The four directions will be at peace, and auspicious signs will arise on their own. Qilins will arrive and submit, while white tigers roam through the courtyards. Calamities in the country and during the months of seasonal transition will be quelled; the people will prosper, and peace will prevail throughout the world. Wearing the talisman will protect one from every kind of calamity, keep the body healthy and strong, and make the senses keen and clear. It will safeguard the country and household for a long time, bringing lasting peace and good fortune.

When a Daoist priest writes the sacred script of the White Emperor, representing the White Emperor, and places it in the west, the immortal officials of the Western Peak will arrive. After fasting for a hundred days and focusing the mind on the revered spirit of the Lingbao tradition, perfected beings from the celestial realm will descend. They will bestow seven Jade Maidens of Great Simplicity—celestial female immortals—and enable the practitioner to obtain the immortal fungus of the Western Peak and the elixir of long life and immortality. The ghosts and spirits under the White Emperor’s rule will flee seven thousand li away. The fierce beasts and poisonous creatures of the west will have no wish to harm people; instead, they will become kind and benevolent. With long-term fasting and practice for twenty-four years, one can attain immortality. Even simply wearing this sacred script on one’s person can bring immortality through corpse liberation—the Daoist means of shedding the body and becoming immortal in another form—and entry into the cycle of the immortal realm.

If calamities arise in the west or during the three months of autumn, and one wishes to bring peace to the west, the sacred script may be written in cinnabar on a white stone and placed in the west for seven days. The calamities will then recede, and baleful Qi will disperse. The west will be pacified and brought into accord; auspicious events will gather, numinous beasts will arrive in carriages, and golden sparrows will carry talismanic writings in their beaks. The elders among the people will submit and offer their allegiance; the state will be peaceful and its people secure. Write the sacred script and wear it on your person, and you will be able to commune with the gods. Calamity cannot befall you, and you will keep company with the Five Emperors, the Daoist deities who rule the five directions. Your descendants will flourish, and your generations will enjoy the blessings and riches of princes and nobles. You will be in harmony with auspicious karmic affinities and have no cause for worry.

When a Daoist priest writes the sacred script of the Black Emperor, representing the Black Emperor, and places it in the north, the immortal officials of the Northern Peak will arrive. After fasting for a hundred days and focusing the mind on the revered spirit of the Lingbao tradition, perfected beings from the celestial realm will descend. They will bestow five Jade Maidens of Great Mystery—celestial female immortals—and enable the practitioner to obtain the immortal fungus of the Northern Peak and the elixir of long life and immortality. The ghosts and spirits under the Black Emperor’s rule will flee fifty thousand li away. The fierce beasts and poisonous creatures of the north will have no wish to harm people; instead, they will become kind and benevolent. With long-term fasting and practice for twenty-four years, one can attain immortality. Even simply wearing this sacred script on one’s person can bring immortality through corpse liberation and entry into the cycle of the immortal realm.

The original text goes on to describe calamities in the north and during winter, but the surviving passage turns to matters of cultivation at the words “wishing to bring about…” The text that follows repeats the earlier statements about long-term practice and wearing the sacred script.

When calamities arise in the north or during the three winter months, the north can be pacified by writing the talismanic text in cinnabar on a black stone and placing it in the north for five days. The calamities will then naturally dissipate, and evil deeds will subside. The north will submit and become stable; auspicious signs will flourish day by day. Treasures buried underground will come to light, and gold and jade will appear. Those in heaven and people on earth will sing together; the state will be prosperous, and the people will have plenty. Write the talismanic text and wear it on your person to ward off every kind of calamity, so that your lifespan may endure as long as Heaven and Earth and your blessings and emoluments remain bright and lasting. Wherever you go and whatever you seek, all will go smoothly and as you wish. Your descendants will prosper, and generation after generation will be wise and worthy.

Daoist practitioners who study the highest methods of the Dao, observe purification precepts, focus their minds on the Dao, and revere the numinous spirits and perfected beings should first follow the ancient Lingbao regulations for the Upper Origin. They should display the sacred texts in their prescribed positions. Then the numinous spirits and perfected beings will descend into the chamber, the officials of the Five Emperors will guard its gates, demons and ghosts will be destroyed, and all undertakings will go smoothly.

Write the Azure Emperor’s sacred text in cinnabar on blue silk and hang it on the east wall of the purification chamber. Write the Red Emperor’s sacred text on red silk and hang it on the south wall; write the Yellow Emperor’s on yellow silk and hang it in the center; the White Emperor’s on white silk and hang it on the west wall; and the Black Emperor’s on black silk and hang it on the north wall. In this way, the sacred texts of the Five Emperors are placed according to the five directions and five colors. Display these five talismanic texts in the purification hall, burn incense morning and evening, and bow toward each one from its corresponding direction. Unrelated laypeople and beings of other kinds must not enter the hall without permission. Powerful spirits, Jade Youths, and Jade Maidens guard each direction. Anyone who violates the prohibitions will be reported to the Nine Heavens and immediately punished in the netherworld. Practitioners must therefore carefully observe the taboos.

Within the Azure Heaven of Nine Qi, there is a primordial youth of azure numinous energy, whose name is Open-Yang Azure. He is in charge of the Azure Emperor’s Red Script of Truth. The Azure Numinous Youth is nine inches tall, wears a robe of blue feathers, and holds a blue standard. He stands to the left of the talismanic text. Practitioners should visualize this deity descending into their bodies. After one hundred days of focused visualization, the numinous spirit will manifest, and whatever they seek will immediately receive a response. When the sacred text is worn on the body, the Azure Numinous Youth also dwells constantly within the liver palace, enabling the practitioner to receive the essence of Azure Teeth, the vital essence corresponding to the east and Wood.

Within the Three-Qi Cinnabar Heaven is a primordial crimson spirit child named Cinnabar Spring Pearl, who oversees the sacred red-script talismans of the Red Emperor. The child is three inches tall, wears a robe of red feathers, and holds a red ritual tablet. Whatever is sought is answered swiftly. When the sacred script is worn, this spirit also resides in the liver palace, enabling a person to obtain the essence of the green fangs.

Within the Three-Qi Cinnabar Heaven is a primordial crimson spirit child named Cinnabar Spring Pearl, who oversees the sacred red-script talismans of the Red Emperor. The child is three inches tall, wears a robe of red feathers, and holds a red ritual tablet, standing beside the talisman. Practitioners should visualize this spirit descending into them and focus on reciting the text for a hundred days; the numinous presence will then appear, and whatever is sought will readily receive a response. When the sacred script is worn, this spirit also resides in the heart, enabling a person to obtain the essence of the vermilion cinnabar and red fangs.

Within the Central Yellow Heaven is a primordial yellow spirit child named Vast Luster, who oversees the sacred red-script talismans of the Yellow Emperor. The child is one inch and two fen tall, wears a robe of yellow feathers, and holds a yellow battle-axe, standing at the center of the talisman. Practitioners should visualize this spirit descending into them and focus on reciting the text for a hundred days; the numinous presence will then appear, and whatever is sought will receive a swift response. When the sacred script is worn, this spirit also resides in the spleen palace, enabling a person to obtain the essence of the yellow fangs.

Within the Seven-Qi White Heaven is a primordial white spirit child named Bright Stone Stream, who oversees the sacred red-script talismans of the White Emperor. The child is seven inches tall, wears a robe of white feathers, and holds a white banner, standing to the right of the talisman. Practitioners should visualize this spirit descending into them and focus on reciting the text for a hundred days; the numinous presence will then appear, and whatever is sought will receive a swift response. When the sacred script is worn, this spirit also resides in the lung palace, enabling a person to obtain the essence of the white fangs.

Within the Mysterious Heavens of the Five Qi, formed from the energies of the five directions, there is a youth of primordial dark numinous power named Yuci. He presides over the Red Script of the Black Emperor, sacred writings associated with that deity. The dark spirit youth is five inches tall, wears black feather robes, and stands attendant behind the sacred writings, holding a black banner. Practitioners should visualize this deity descending into them and silently recite with focused attention for one hundred days. Then the numinous and perfected will appear, and whatever they seek will receive an immediate response. For those who wear the sacred writings, the youth also dwells continually in the palace of their kidneys, helping them obtain the essence of the mysterious teeth, a vital essence associated with the life-giving Qi of the five directions.

This spirit youth of the Five Emperors was born together with the Five Elders of Primordial Beginning. He presides over the five sacred writings: above, he governs the Qi of the nine heavens; below, he commands the Five Sacred Peaks; within the human body, he oversees the five organs; and he draws in the essence of the mysterious teeth to nourish the body. Those who practice ingesting the Five Teeth—the method of absorbing Qi from the five directions—will ultimately receive no response if they do not know this deity; their cultivation will be toil in vain.

This concludes the Upper Volume of the Wondrous Scripture of the Jade Instructions on the Red Script of the Numinous Treasure of the Cavern Mystery of the Most High.

Lower Volume

The Supreme Emperor of Primordial Beginning, the Revered Deity of the Numinous Treasure, the Great Sages of the Ten Directions, and the Perfected Masters of Wondrous Practice all travel three times each year to the Southern Emperor’s Dongyang Palace. There they revise the chronology of the celestial realm, calculate the cycles of calamity and the changing fortunes of Qi, and expound the Red Script of the Five Elders. They then seal it and inscribe its title upon jade tablets, before entrusting it to the Wondrous Scripture of the Five Jade Instructions.

The Primordial Lord, the divine Worthy of Numinous Treasure, the Great Sages of the Ten Directions, and the Perfected Ones of Wondrous Practice visit the Dongyang Palace of the Southern Emperor three times each year. There they examine and establish the celestial calendar, calculate the cycles of tribulation and the appointed times of assemblies, and reveal and expound the Red Script of the Five Elders’ True Writings—the sacred characters concerning the Celestial Emperors of the five directions. They then seal the scriptures and inscribe them on Jade Sand, entrusting them to the Five Emperors.

The Five Qi of the Primordial Beginning constantly gather, at cockcrow, in the Upper Palace of the Numinous Treasure Jade Capital’s Mysterious Metropolis. As dawn breaks, the radiance of the Primordial Beginning spreads out, shining upon all the heavens. The breath there is dense and the light gentle; the vital essence gleams like a moon pearl, and its radiance blazes like purple clouds. The Five Qi circulate like turning wheels: they rise to the palaces of the Nine Heavens, settle at the center to stabilize the sacred mountains of the Five Emperors, and flow downward to the roots of the Five Teeth within practitioners. At this time, the assembled sages of the Upper Palace and the Great-Wisdom Perfected Ones absorb the radiance, raise their heads, and swallow the vital essence. In harmony with the Dao of Heaven, they thereby endure without exhaustion.

The Lord on High requested that these writings be annotated so they could be transmitted to those of utmost truth. According to the Numinous Treasure Mysterious Regulations—the rules governing the transmission of Numinous Treasure scriptures and methods—this scripture is transmitted only once every forty thousand kalpas. The Dao of Numinous Treasure is thus made clear and may be transmitted as a teaching to transform the world. The Great Sages and divine Worthies of the Ten Directions gathered together with the Perfected Ones of Wondrous Practice beside the Three Origins Grotto on Red-Hawk Mountain in the Southern Garden, where they sealed and inscribed the Jade Sand. The Perfected Ones sat in ordered attendance, offerings of incense and flowers were presented, and music accompanied the ceremony. Five million beings took part. The True Writings shone with brilliant, radiant clarity; the Five Qi illuminated the inside and the outside, and the clouds and vapors appeared clear and beautiful, like the bright moon among the stars. The many wondrous omens and auspicious scenes were beyond counting.

At that time, in the Northern Chamber, there was a worthy man devoted to cultivating the Dao, named Wang Fudu. He had a daughter named Aqiu Zeng, who was sixteen years old. She was then bathing in the bathhouse, washing herself with fragrant water. Her body, within and without, shone with clear brightness, and her appearance was beautiful as clouds and vapors, like the bright moon among the stars. She displayed many wondrous and beautiful forms, too numerous to count.

At that time, in the northern chamber lived a worthy man devoted to cultivating the Dao, named Wang Fudu. He had a daughter called Aqiu Zeng, who was sixteen years old. One day, she was bathing in the bathhouse with fragrant water when she suddenly saw golden light winding down from above. The sight seemed extraordinary to her. She stepped outside, climbed onto the wall, and looked south. There she saw a Daoist Perfected One, radiant in bearing, with a face shining like the sun. Aqiu Zeng rejoiced, crossed her hands in salute, and called out from afar: “My name is Qiu Zeng. Today I am fortunate to meet the Heavenly Worthy and behold your sacred countenance with my own eyes. I wish to take refuge in the Heaven of Heavens of the Ten Directions, the supreme deity who governs all the heavens of the Ten Directions. I beg you to grant me the precepts, so that I may follow the ritual texts, uproot every evil root, and soon transform my body into that of a man. I hope that, after enduring ten thousand kalpas, I may ascend to become an immortal.”

The Five Emperors’ Demon Kings, rulers of the demons of the five directions, saw that she had made so firm a great vow. Fearing she might transcend the realms under their control, they transformed themselves into five old men resembling imperial lords and went to dissuade her. The old men said to her: “By command of the divine beings of the Ten Directions, we have come to instruct you in the Lingbao scriptures. The Dao we follow takes benevolence as its guiding principle and filial devotion to one’s parents as its foundation. I have just heard that your father intends to marry you off, and that he has already promised you to another. This was decreed by the divine beings and cannot be defied. You should first obey your father’s arrangement. Only after fulfilling your human relationships and observing the teachings and admonitions of ritual propriety in full should you devote yourself to cultivating the Dao. Heaven will examine your intentions. If you disobey your father, the Way of the Immortals will be unable to save you.”

The woman replied to the demon, “In my former life, my fate was unfortunate. I formed no good karmic ties in the past, and my merits and virtues were not yet complete; that is why I was born in a female body. Morning and night I regret this and reflect upon it. I have vowed to devote myself to the Dao and hold fast to it with unwavering resolve. This comes entirely from my own heart. My life was brought forth by my parents, and my nature and life will ultimately return to the Ten Heavens, the heavenly realms. Even if I truly went against my father’s teachings, I should not act as you have urged.”

Seeing that the woman’s resolve was firm and her conduct upright, the demon could not trouble her and withdrew.

Qiu Zeng once said of himself, “The Great Dao is lofty and profound; I have no good fortune to reach it.” He then gathered firewood, climbed onto a wall, and intended to burn his body, hoping his physical form would become flying dust, scatter on the wind, and at last return to the Great Dao. When the fire blazed, Qiu Zeng folded his hands and prayed to Heaven: “Heavenly Worthy of Boundless Reach in the Ten Directions, today I wish to return my physical form to the Heaven of Heavens. May I attain the Great Dao in time and scatter like dust.” Having spoken, he threw himself into the fire. His heart was filled with anguish, yet he clung to nothing; it was as though he rose into the air, treading upon the flames. In an instant, he saw the woman’s body transform into a man’s. He went straight before the Great Dao and received its teachings with sincerity.

The Heavenly Worthy of Primordial Beginning then appointed the Divine Worthy of the South Pole as his teacher, to transmit the True Writings, the sacred script of Daoist teachings. He also bestowed upon him three hundred Taihua Jade Maidens and three hundred Golden Dawn Jade Youths. These immortals were beautiful in appearance and adorned with splendid ornaments. They manifested thirty-two majestic signs, whose radiance shone through the woman’s body.

The Heavenly Worthy of Primordial Beginning said to the Divine Worthy of the South Pole, “In her former life, this woman already followed the Lingbao tradition. After passing through the cycles of myriad kalpas, she has now been born as a human being. At the first sight of the teaching I imparted, she was able to transform her body. From now on, she must still save ninety-nine thousand people before she can become a Great God of Perfect Truth.”

At that time, men and women throughout the worlds of the ten directions all awakened to the true mind of the Dao. Without exception, they devoted themselves to fasting, observed the precepts, practiced and upheld the way of Lingbao, and held sincere aspirations. In this way, they were all delivered beyond the dust of the world.

The Dao told Qiu Ceng, “The Venerable Deity of the South Pole, a revered Daoist deity, was once a woman. She was born in the Crimson Radiance Heaven of the Chanli World. She widely practiced meritorious deeds and won the praise of the heavens. But before her Dao practice was complete, she encountered a fire kalpa—a catastrophe in which Heaven and Earth are destroyed and transformed. Heaven and Earth changed places, and she was therefore included among those swept away in the upheaval.

“The South Above sensed the utmost sincerity of her cinnabar heart, and the Red Official, who oversees the relevant affairs of the celestial realm, registered her name in purple. Through the merit of the Primordial Sovereign, a revered female immortal, her form was transformed, and she was reborn in the Sovereign’s womb. After one kalpa, she was reborn as a man. He dwelt in the Seven-Colored Pearl Grove of the Bright Pearl Upper Lodge in the Dongyang Cavern of the Southern Cinnabar Realm, and took as his teacher the Red Emperor, the Brahma-Treasure Changyang Cinnabar-Spirit True Old Lord. He mastered the Way of the Red Writ and took his place among the deities of the South Pole.

“In a previous life, you too lived alongside the Venerable Deity of the South Pole in the Chanli World. At the foot of the Cypress Grove in Danyang, you made a vow together to cultivate the Dao. At that time, the Venerable Deity of the South Pole bore the surname Huang and the name Duming, with the courtesy name Duming? He held your right hand, and together you inscribed your names on a red stone and entered them in the Southern Office. He also had your handwriting inscribed on the Southern Pavilion, where it remains to this day. Do you remember?”

Qiu Ceng felt an understanding arise within him. Looking down, he saw the inscription on the south wall of the Venerable Deity of the South Pole’s dwelling: “On the first day of the seventh month, in the year of Taijia, Huang Duming and Qiu Ceng made a vow beneath the Cypress Grove Lodge in Danyang.” The inscription comprised twenty-three characters, all clearly written. Not long after Qiu Ceng recalled this event, Heaven and Earth had already undergone three cycles of kalpas and transformation. Now, at last, he had been reborn in the age of Lingbao.

The Dao addressed Qiu Zeng: “You have now received instruction from the Southern Pole. Is this not an extraordinary opportunity? It is all due to the bonds you formed in previous lives. You should diligently cultivate a higher Dao practice and save beings throughout the heavens and the human world. When your merit is complete, your rank will naturally reach the realm of Perfect Truth. You will surpass the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing), swiftly ascend among the Nine Rosy Clouds, and pay homage to and serve the Great Mystery.”

Qiu Zeng bowed before the Dao and said: “In a previous life, I was fortunate to be born in an age when the Dao and its teachings flourished. This was all due to the causes and conditions of former lives. I was also fortunate to meet the Celestial Perfected—those who attained the Dao—and to receive their instruction when they came to my quiet room. Their radiance shone upon my humble body; within the altar precincts, their divine intent gave revelation, and my heart responded to them beyond the confines of my body. I am willing to offer up my body and dedicate my life to the Great Dao, hoping only to preserve it through even the tiniest chance. I humbly beg the Most High to look upon me with profound insight and turn to save my body and mind. Now I have been transformed and may serve the Celestial Worthy. I have also received the Southern Pole’s instruction and been accepted as a disciple by my revered master. My heart is filled with both joy and trepidation, and I do not know how to express it. I only hope you will show compassion and complete my instruction: reveal the principles of the Dao I have not yet heard, and bestow upon me precious, profound Jade Instructions. I humbly beg you to grant me special mercy.”

The Lord of the Dao, Most High, then ordered the Red Emperor’s numinous youth to open the Nine Frosts Jade Casket, a repository for treasured Daoist scriptures. He took out two scrolls of the Numinous Treasure’s Jade Instructions of the Red Writ and gave them to the Southern Pole, ordering him to transmit them to Qiu Zeng in accordance with their covenant. All the immortals witnessed the oath together and voiced their approval.

Primordial Beginning’s Jade Instructions on Taking the Blue Sprout and Guiding the Nine Qi of the Azure Heaven from the Red Writ

The Five Chapters of True Red Writing of Primordial Beginning (said to be five red celestial texts transmitted by the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning) arose in the vastness of space. At that time, Heaven and Earth had not yet given off light, and the cosmos had not yet opened into visibility, but the fundamental powers of all things had already gathered unseen. The three sources of light—the sun, the moon, and the stars—took shape from this, and the Qi of the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water) began to move. The five colors each appeared, shining over the five directions. Each direction was guarded by one of the Five Emperors and guided by Yin-Yang Qi. They revolved around the pivot of the Nine Heavens, causing the five planets to shine. They also caused the Five Sacred Peaks to grow, guard the earth, and nourish the body’s five inner repositories—places corresponding to the five organs, where the spirit is stored and nurtured.

For this reason, those who cultivate themselves and reach the utmost truth often follow the bright Qi that appears as the sun rises. They guide the harmonious Qi of the Nine Heavens upward and draw downward the flowing fragrance and sweetness of the Jade Spring, the sweet fluid described in cultivation. They gather Original Jing, the fundamental essence of life, at the Taiji (Supreme Ultimate), and summon the Five Emperors to descend as numinous youths, divine images used as objects of visualization. Nourished in this way, life does not decline; preserved in this way, it can endure without end. Even after passing through ten thousand kalpas, one can begin anew. When the Five Teeth—the inner vital essences corresponding to the Five Phases—remain present, one’s appearance is preserved. This is the wondrous secret of Lingbao Daoist practice and the foundational method cultivated by the myriad sages.

Method for cultivating the Green Tooth and guiding the Eastern Nine Qi from the Green Heaven: On the day of the Beginning of Spring, enter a room at cockcrow, face east, and bow nine times. Then sit upright and gently click the teeth nine times. Visualize the Eastern Venerable Lord of the Azure Numinous Beginning, who dwells in the Treasure-Secure Flower Forest and is the exalted deity of the Eastern Azure Emperor. His surname is Men; his taboo name is Kaoming, and his courtesy name is Lingweiyang. The deity is nine inches tall, wears a crown of green essence jade, and is dressed in a flying garment of nine-Qi green feathers. He rides in a chariot drawn by an azure dragon and carries a quail banner. Ninety thousand officers of the Jia-Yi Mysterious Elders accompany him as he descends from the Nine-Qi Green Heaven into the room.

After a short while, visualize green Qi taking form, dense as clouds and mist, covering your body and entering through your mouth until it reaches the inner repository of the liver. Then visualize the Qi of Wood’s virtue shining in the east, its light illuminating your whole body so that every part is clearly revealed. When you have finished, open your eyes, raise your head, and recite the incantation:

The azure heaven corresponds to the nine forms of azure primordial Qi. It is the highest essence of Primordial Celestial Worthy and the dwelling place of the august divine sovereign Huanglao. Its inhabitants wear azure feather robes, while the heavenly officials attend to them and arrange their affairs. The Year Star shines brightly, its radiance spreading out to nourish the human body. Practitioners absorb the rosy clouds of dawn and ingest and guide the essence of Wood. In this way, they strengthen and cultivate the “Azure Tooth,” the essence condensed from the azure Qi of the East, and guard the body, allowing the liver to grow full and vigorous and the jade fungus to arise naturally. Thus they may prolong their lives, regain the youthful appearance of children, harmonize the Five Qi, and endure alongside Heaven and Earth.

After reciting the text, draw in the azure Qi and swallow nine times in succession. Then ingest the twelve characters inscribed on the Eastern Red Script in jade. These twelve characters are the names of the Nine Qi of the Azure Heaven.

When guiding the nine forms of the Azure Emperor’s Qi and ingesting the Azure Tooth, write the relevant characters in cinnabar on white paper. After completing the visualization, swallow the paper in one gulp. This will summon the Nine Qi, causing them to descend of their own accord, and the Azure Emperor will appear in response to the invocation. The Azure Tooth will be secured at the Eastern Peak, and the jade fungus in the liver will grow naturally. A numinous child will guard this fasting text beside the sleeping chamber, while the Azure-Waisted Spirit assists and awaits commands. Persevere in the practice for nine years, accumulating responses and transforming body and mind; then you may become an immortal and transcend the world, enduring through countless kalpas without decline.

At cockcrow, just as the sky begins to brighten, face east and click the teeth nine times. Then rub the palms together until warm and rub the face with them nine times. Raise the head and recite the incantation:

“Azure Tooth of the East, ingest the Azure Tooth, drink the dawn’s radiance.”

After reciting, run the tongue along the outside of the upper teeth, then lick the lips three times. When the mouth is filled with saliva, swallow it in three portions. Next, draw in the azure Qi again and swallow nine times in succession, allowing it to guard the liver. The practice is then complete.

The title at the end of the text is “Jade Instructions of Primordial Beginning’s Red Script on Ingesting the Red Tooth and Guiding the Three Qi of the Cinnabar Heaven.”

The method for cultivating the cinnabar teeth and guiding in the Qi of the southern Cinnabar Heaven is as follows: On the day of the Beginning of Summer, enter a room at cockcrow. Face south and bow three times. Sit upright, then click your teeth together three times.

Visualize the Lord of the Southern Cinnabar Heaven, Brahma Treasure, Prosperous Yang, Cinnabar Spirit, the True Elder Lord—the revered deity of the Southern Cinnabar Heaven. His surname is Dongfu, his sacred name is Jiyan, and his courtesy name is Chibiaonu. He is three inches tall, wears a crown of Cinnabar Essence jade, and is dressed in a flying robe of the three Qi and cinnabar feathers. He rides in a jade carriage drawn by a cinnabar dragon, with a vermilion banner raised above it. Thirty myriad officials of Bing and Ding Yue Lao attend him. He descends from the Three Qi Cinnabar Heaven into the room. Soon, he transforms into radiant red Qi, bright as fire, which spreads throughout and covers your body, then enters through your mouth and reaches the heart palace.

Next, visualize the planet Mars in the south shining brightly into the room. Soon, it too transforms into radiant red Qi, bright as fire, which spreads throughout and covers your body, then enters through your mouth and reaches the heart palace. Then visualize the light of Mars in the south illuminating your body, making everything clear and distinct. When the visualization is complete, open your eyes, raise your head, and recite:

Three Qi Cinnabar Heaven, numinous child of the vermilion palace;

Primordial Beginning, Supreme Emperor, riding beside the red dragon;

flying robe of cinnabar feathers, brocade covering of bright light;

command the numinous officials, set Yin-Yang in motion and guide it;

the Three Qi shine forth, pouring into my Crimson Palace;

may the red child guard and stabilize me, refine my teeth and adorn my countenance;

at dawn, partake of vermilion radiance, let jade fungus fill and nourish me;

turn back the years of kalpas, let decayed bones return to youth;

may my years match Heaven and Earth, and may I enjoy abundance without end;

may my body give rise to Water and Fire and transform in countless ways.

After reciting, draw in the red Qi and swallow it in three portions, then ingest the twelve characters of the southern red-script jade text. Here, “ingest” means incorporating the talismanic text into the cultivation ritual as directed by the scripture. The twelve characters are the name of the Three Qi Cinnabar Heaven. This method is intended to guide in the Three Qi of the Red Emperor and, through ingesting the talismanic text, to pray for a lifespan as long as Heaven and Earth and inexhaustible abundance, so that the body contains the Qi of Water and Fire and can transform in many ways. Then draw in the red Qi once more, swallow it in three portions, and ingest the twelve characters of the southern red-script jade text.

The twelve characters above are the names of the Three Qi of the Cinnabar Heaven, the three original energies associated with the red color of the south. When guiding and drawing in the Three Qi of the Red Emperor, and when consuming the Cinnabar Sprouts, write the characters in red on white paper. After completing visualization, swallow the writing on the paper at once. In this way, draw in the red Qi until it fills the body, and gather the Fragrant Zhi Mysterious Fluid—a Daoist term for wondrous, numinous saliva—in the Crimson Palace, the palace of the heart.

During visualization, the Red Emperor will descend and bestow true Qi. The practitioner receives the red characters from the numinous child and guards the Cinnabar Sprouts so that they remain firm and enduring. They nurture the Three Qi in the presence of Zhurong, the southern god of fire, wield the Red Jade Tablet—a ritual implement symbolizing communication with the divine—and summon spirits by means of the five scriptures. Prolonged fasting and purification can bring communion with Great Stillness, a deep and tranquil state. In Heaven, the practitioner’s name will be recorded above the southern window. Thus, by sitting quietly, one can attain results and enjoy blessings for a long time. At cockcrow, just as the sky begins to brighten, face south and click the teeth three times. Rub the palms together until warm, then rub the face with them three times. Tilt the head back and recite:

“Southern vermilion cinnabar, consume the vermilion cinnabar, drink from the Cinnabar Pool.”

When you have finished, run the tongue along the outside of the lower teeth, lick the lips, and rinse the mouth until it fills with Jade Zhi, a symbol of wondrous, numinous saliva. Then swallow it in three portions. Next, draw in the red Qi and swallow it in three portions as well, settling it within the palace of the heart. This completes the practice.

The Jade Instructions on the Yellow Heaven’s Original Qi, Guided by the Wu and Ji, and Consumed through the Primordial Red Writ

When practicing the “Yellow Teeth Guiding Method of the Twelve Qi of Wu and Ji and the Yellow Heaven,” enter a room at cockcrow on the spring equinox, summer solstice, autumn equinox, and winter solstice. Face the direction that is flourishing on that day and bow twelve times. Then sit upright and tap the teeth twelve times.

Next, visualize the Jade Treasure Primordial Spirit Elder Lord of the Center, the deity who governs the central Earth Qi of Wu and Ji. His surname is Tongban, his personal name is Yuanshi, and his courtesy name is Hanjuniu. He is one foot and two inches tall, wears a crown of yellow essence jade, and is dressed in a flying robe of five-colored yellow feathers. He rides in a jade chariot drawn by a yellow dragon, with a yellow banner raised above it. Twelve thousand officials of the Wu and Ji Cang Elders accompany him as he descends from the Yellow Heaven of the Twelve Qi into the room.

After a moment, visualize them transforming into a dense, luxuriant cloud of yellow Qi, like auspicious clouds pouring forth light. It envelops your whole body, enters through your mouth, and reaches the residence of the Spleen. Then visualize Saturn shining brightly in the center of the sky. Its light illuminates you, making every part of your body clearly visible.

When you have finished visualizing, open your eyes, raise your head, and recite:

“Mount Song of Central Yellow, primordial Qi flows to and fro. Above is the Primordial Elder, who commands the four directions; he rides the yellow dragon, clad in a five-colored feather robe. He sets the Qi of the Nine Heavens in motion and drives the celestial bodies along their courses. He illuminates Saturn and sends forth radiance. The essence of jade blossoms and fragrant fungi fills my limbs, moistening and nourishing my body, and making the residence of the Spleen clear and at ease. I cultivate yellow teeth and absorb essence and Qi; the myriad spirits all return to one place. I gather in my hun and po souls and refine the Eight Powers of the immortals. Within and without, all is open and bright; I don the feather robe of long life. He sets the Qi of the Nine Heavens in motion and drives the celestial bodies along their courses. He illuminates Saturn and sends forth radiance. The essence of jade blossoms and fragrant fungi fills my limbs, moistening and nourishing my body, and making the residence of the Spleen clear and at ease. I cultivate yellow teeth and absorb essence and Qi; the myriad spirits all return to one place. I gather in my hun and po souls and refine the Eight Powers of the immortals. Within and without, all is open and bright. I endure without decline, reach the true Dao and the realm of the wondrous, and ascend to Taiwei, the lofty palace in the heavens.”

After reciting, guide the yellow Qi and swallow it in twelve portions, inwardly. Then take in the sixteen characters from the Central Red Script of Jade Writing.

These sixteen characters are the title of the Central Yellow Heaven. During practice, write the phrase “Guide and draw in the Twelve Qi of the Yellow Emperor; consume the Yellow Tooth” in vermilion on white paper. After concentrating your thoughts on it, swallow the paper. In this way, you can draw in the primordial Qi of the Nine Heavens from above, and bring the Qi of the Mysterious Chest to converge in the Wondrous Gate below. The storehouse of Qi in the Great Granary will naturally be replenished, and the Qi in the Spleen Palace will be nourished and warmed. “Mysterious Chest,” “Wondrous Gate,” and “Great Granary” are names for bodily locations or Qi dynamics in Daoist internal cultivation. The Yellow Elder will respond with an ineffable, harmonious Qi, while the numinous child will open his robe and reveal the oral instructions. The Qi of Yellow Silk circulates throughout the body, sustaining life and connecting east and west. This jade formula is profoundly mysterious: it is the beginning of the path to becoming an immortal.

Practice at dawn, when the rooster crows and the sky is just growing light, facing a favorable direction. Knock the teeth twelve times, then rub the palms together until warm and rub the face twelve times while reciting:

“The Qi of Central Wu and Ji stands lofty as a high mountain; consume pure and refined Qi, and drink the sweet spring.”

When you have finished reciting, gently touch the Mysterious Chest with the tongue, gather the saliva in the mouth, moisten the lips three times, and swallow. Then draw in the yellow Qi and swallow it in twelve portions, settling it in the Spleen Palace. This completes the practice.

The following passage restates the instructions: according to the formula of the Primordial Beginning’s Red Script, consume the Plain Tooth, guide the Seven Qi, and drink the sweet spring. When finished, gently touch the Mysterious Chest with the tongue, gather the saliva in the mouth, moisten the lips three times, and swallow; then swallow the yellow Qi in twelve portions, settling it in the Spleen Palace. The final phrase, “Primordial Beginning’s Red Script: consume the Plain Tooth, guide the Seven Qi—the jade formula of the Plain Heaven,” names or points to the associated formula.

On the day of the Beginning of Autumn, practice the “Method of Guiding the Seven Qi of the White Heaven with White Teeth” (a cultivation method that nurtures the body through breathing, tapping the teeth, and visualization). At cockcrow, enter a room and bow seven times facing west. Then sit upright and tap your teeth seven times.

In your mind, visualize Lord Haoling Huanglao of the Seven-Treasure Golden Gate in the west, the deity who governs the west. His surname is Shangjin, his name Chang Kai, and his courtesy name Yaopobao. He is seven inches tall, wears a crown of white jade, and is dressed in white feather robes. He rides a jade carriage drawn by a white dragon, with a white banner raised above it. Seventy thousand officials of the Geng and Xin Hu Lao accompany him as he descends from the Seven-Qi White Heaven into the room.

After a while, visualize Lord Haoling Huanglao transforming into bright white Qi, spreading across the sky like autumn clouds and sunset glow. It envelops your whole body, then enters through your mouth and reaches your lungs. Next, visualize the light of Venus shining brightly. The light of the west illuminates your body, making everything clear. When the visualization is complete, open your eyes, raise your head, and recite the incantation:

“Seven numinous spirits, sevenfold gates, shining brightly over the west. At the center is the White Emperor, dwelling place of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning. Riding the white dragon, the seven breaths are lofty and abundant; they wander among the jade gates and scatter crimson clouds. Venus sends forth its radiance, and the fragrance of sacred fungi fills the air. With wondrous fluids, nourish my body and tend my white teeth; make them gleam with the luster of bright stones, never decaying through ten thousand kalpas. Drink from flowing springs and draw in the Qi of Great Harmony. The Sovereign of the Nine Heavens grants jade radiance, preserving life and keeping the face forever youthful. White splendor fills all places, enduring between Heaven and Earth as long as the sun, moon, and stars.”

After reciting the incantation, guide the white Qi down and swallow seven times, then take the twelve characters of the Western Red Script in Jade Writing, a Daoist talismanic text or formula passed down through the tradition.

The twelve characters above are the names of the Seven Qi Heavens of the West. When summoning the Seven Qi of the White Emperor and consuming the Plain Buds, write these names in cinnabar on white paper. Once the visualization is complete, swallow them at once. The deities of the Seven Qi Heavens will then descend from the hidden and mysterious realm, sending down plain-colored radiance to infuse the luminous stone and cause the jade fungus to grow naturally. In this way, the Lung Palace becomes bright and open, able to receive true Qi; the Great Granary (the spleen and stomach) is naturally warmed and nourished without eating; and the Plain Spirit comes in response and obeys your command. The practitioner can thereby enter the gates of the Nine Heavens. Continue cultivating without slackening, and your lifespan will become as long as that of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning.

At cockcrow, when Yang Qi first rises, face west. Knock your teeth together seven times, then rub your hands until warm and stroke your face with them seven times. Next, tilt your head back and recite the incantation:

Luminous stone of the West, consume the luminous stone, drink the numinous liquid.

When you have finished reciting, touch your upper teeth with your tongue, lick your lips, and rinse your mouth. Visualize the jade fungus filling your mouth, then swallow it in three portions. Next, draw in white Qi and swallow seven times, settling it in the Lung Palace. This completes the practice.

The Jade Instructions for Consuming the Mysterious Buds and Guiding the Five Qi of the Mysterious Heavens, from the Primordial Beginning’s Red Writ

The method for cultivating the Mysterious Buds and guiding the Qi of the Five Qi Mysterious Heavens is as follows. On the day of the Beginning of Winter, enter a room at cockcrow and face north. Perform five bows, then sit upright and knock your teeth together five times.

Visualize the Northern deity, the Lord of the Five Spirits, Black Elder of Dongyin Shuodan Yujue. His surname is Heijie, his name is Linghui, and his courtesy name is Yinhouju. He is five inches tall. Perform five more bows, sit upright, and knock your teeth together five times. Imagine that he wears a crown of Mysterious Essence Jade and a robe of flying black feathers, and rides in a jade carriage drawn by a black dragon. A black banner is raised, and five hundred thousand officials of Ren and Gui Qianglao, who govern Water Qi, accompany him as he descends into the room from the Five Qi Mysterious Heavens.

After a short while, he transforms into a black radiance. Deep and shadowy, it then brightens like a shining meteor, covering the practitioner’s whole body before entering through the mouth and reaching the Kidney Palace. Next, visualize the Water Star shining brightly, with light from the north illuminating your body. Let every detail of the scene become clear. When the visualization is complete, open your eyes, tilt your head back, and recite the incantation:

In the north lies the Mysterious Heaven, where the five kinds of primordial Qi give off a wondrous, numinous breath. Above is a great deity named the Primordial Essence of the First Elder. Riding a dragon and bearing a banner, he roams and feasts in the Upper Capital. This day is supremely auspicious: auspicious clouds spread in abundance, flying lingzhi drift through the air, and sweet dew falls everywhere. The Jade Maiden of the Mysterious Marsh pours sweet dew into my body, filling and stabilizing the Palace of the Kidneys. My decayed teeth grow firm again, the chambers of the Five Viscera receive true Qi, and it rises to communicate with the divine beings. The Five Elders come to welcome me. Soon I will attain the Dao of the Immortals, transform water and fire, wear a blue feather robe, fly through the vast sky, and travel to the dwelling places of emperors. My lifespan will equal that of the sun, moon, and stars, and I will endure through ten thousand kalpas.

After the ritual is complete, draw in the black Qi and swallow five times, then take the twelve characters of the northern red-script jade text.

These twelve characters are the names of the five Qi of the Mysterious Heaven in the north. When drawing in the five Qi of the Black Emperor and consuming the Dark Teeth, write them in cinnabar on white paper. After completing the visualization, bow your head and swallow the paper. Then the Mysterious Elder will carry the scriptures on his back to the Vermilion Office, and a numinous youth will inscribe talisman slips on a red document. The five Qi will become the breath of numinous lingzhi and pour into the depleted body; jade fluid will surge forth like a torrential rain, arising from the Gate of the Vermilion Court. The divine beings will guard the Numinous Gate, the portal to the spirit realm, and vitality will sprout in the Palace of the Kidneys. The Great Mysterious Jade Maiden can be sent to travel between the eastern and western regions, enabling a person to endure ten thousand kalpas without decline and to remain forever with the Mysterious Elder.

Begin at cockcrow, just as dawn breaks. Face north and click your teeth five times. Rub your palms together until warm, then use them to rub your face and eyes five times. Raise your head and recite:

Nourishment of mystery in the north—consume this nourishment of mystery and drink it as jade syrup, a sweet fluid like jade.

When you have finished reciting, run your tongue along the inside of your lower teeth, then lick your lips and rinse your mouth until it is filled with jade lingzhi, the immortal’s sweet dew that symbolizes numinous Qi. Swallow it in three portions. Then draw in the black Qi again and swallow five times, letting it guard the Palace of the Kidneys. This completes the practice.

The Dao teaches: To practice the method of “Guiding and Drawing in the Teeth” (cultivation through breathing, guiding exercises, and related methods), on each of the eight seasonal nodes, enter a quiet chamber facing the direction associated with that day. Fast and purify the body, then visualize the forms of the Five Elders. After reciting the incantation, perform the guiding exercises for each direction and chant the names of the Heavenly Worthies.

After practicing in this way for eight years, immortal officials will descend, and Jade Maidens will come to serve and protect you. Light will arise from your body, illuminating the ten directions as you travel in and out. The Five Emperors will bow to you, and the officials of the Three Realms will welcome you. Upon reaching this state, you may receive an honorific equivalent to that of a “True One of the Three Heavens.”

This scripture is kept in its entirety within the Five Cities of the Southern Garden’s Red Cavern, under the strict guardianship of the immortal officials of the Three Heavens. The immortal tower has twelve levels. The scripture is stored in a purple jade casket, inscribed on golden slips, sealed with cinnabar fungi and luminous grass, and stamped with the Supreme One’s Central Seal. It is bestowed only upon those whose names have long been entered in the registers of immortals, recorded on the Cinnabar Terrace, and destined to become True Ones of the Three Heavens. Those without such an immortal destiny will never have the fortune to see its contents. According to the old liturgical rules, this scripture is transmitted only once every four hundred years.

At cockcrow, settle your body and mind, then carry out the practices in order: first imbibe the Qi of the eastern green teeth, then proceed with the methods for the south, center, west, and north, completing the usual practice of the Five Emperors. Next, click the teeth thirty-six times and swallow twenty-five breaths of Qi, then recite the incantation together:

“White stones rise high; clear springs well forth from the water’s source. The spring water is like jade nectar: drink it, and you will attain immortality and increase your lifespan.”

When you have finished, use your tongue to lick the upper, lower, and central parts of the mouth until it fills with saliva like jade fungi, then swallow it in three portions. Next, draw in Qi twenty-five times, and swallow it when the breath is full. The entire method is then complete.

The Jade Formula for Visualizing the Primordial Beginning’s Five Elders, the Five Sacred Mountains, and the Five Emperors, and for Summoning Spirits and Seeking Immortality

Whenever one practices the Five True Writings of the Lingbao, visualizes spirits, recites prayers for the immortal Way, or makes requests of any kind, the True Ones of the Nine Heavens will respond by coming to the chamber, and the practitioner can also attain the status of an immortal.

On a Jia-Yin or Yi-Mao day after the Beginning of Spring, bathe, quiet the mind, and observe a purification fast. At daybreak, enter a quiet room, face east, and perform nine bows. Sit upright and tap the teeth nine times to awaken the deities within the body. Then close the eyes and visualize the Azure Emperor Lord of Mount Tai in the east (the Eastern Azure Emperor). His surname is Xuanqiu and his personal name is Mulu. He is nine cun and nine fen tall, wears a crown of blue jade reaching to Heaven and a robe of blue feathers, and rides a Green Dragon. Accompanied by twelve Azure-Waisted Jade Maidens, he descends from the east into the practitioner’s quiet room.

After a while, visualize the Azure Emperor Lord transforming into the likeness of a newborn infant, surrounded by blue Qi. As the blue Qi enters the body through the mouth, it travels straight to the liver. Then visualize red Qi arising in the heart and pouring into and encircling the liver palace. The blue and red Qi mingle and blend, hazy and swirling like auspicious clouds. When warmth is felt in the liver, swallow nine times, raise the head, and recite the incantation:

In the eastern heavens are nine tiers of gates. Within them, the Divine Lord Shihuang comes and goes among the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing), dwelling and feasting amid splendid palaces. He steadies and guards the sacred mountains and directs Goumang, the eastern deity who presides over spring and the growth of plants. Azure clouds wind in layers around him; he travels with immortals and feather-robed adepts, riding twelve flying dragons. On his left attend the Azure-Waisted Jade Maidens; on his right, divine youths stand guard. They hold documents and registers, including blue immortal tallies and jade writings, which verify the names of immortals and enter them on the rolls of the Upper Palace.

Today, Wang Ji sets forth this petition: May I wear the red writing (a Daoist talismanic text) upon my person and have my name entered in the hall of the Emperor Lord. May I attain the Way of the immortals and be enrolled in the blue registers of immortality. I pray that the Emperor Lord turn back his numinous carriage and descend into my quiet room, where the blue and red Qi may join and form the likeness of a newborn infant. May they settle and regulate the liver palace, summon radiant numinous Qi, and send its light flowing through my whole body, so that my face shines with a golden glow. May I peacefully attain the natural Way, commune with the spirits, and gain long life, enduring as long as Heaven and Earth.

When the incantation is complete, guide the blue Qi and swallow nine times. The ritual is then concluded.

After practicing this Daoist method for nine years, the Celestial Official of the Azure Emperor of the Eastern Peak will descend, bringing nine jade maidens with azure sashes. They will help the practitioner reach the upper realm and present petitions to the Nine Heavens. If the practitioner has been assigned to serve at Mount Shu because of the circumstances of their parents’ deaths, their register of sins, or their corvée duties, the deities will inform one another and settle the matter. Their charges will thereby be erased, freeing them to ascend to the Hall of Blessing. This method is exceedingly precious and is regarded as a bridge across life and death.

After the Beginning of Summer, bathe, clear the mind, and observe a purification fast on a Bingwu or Dingsi day. At noon, enter a quiet chamber and face south to bow three times. Sit upright and click the teeth three times to awaken the deities within the body. Then close the eyes and visualize the Red Emperor Lord of Mount Huo, Southern Peak—the deity of Fire virtue in the south—whose surname is Yan and whose personal name is Yangguang. He is three cun and three fen tall, wears a red jade crown that reaches to Heaven and a vermilion feather robe, and rides a red dragon. Twelve jade maidens bearing red jade tablets attend him as he comes from the south into the practitioner’s quiet chamber.

After a while, visualize the Red Emperor Lord transforming into a newborn infant. Amid red Qi, he enters through the mouth with the breath and reaches the heart. Then visualize the spleen producing yellow Qi, which pours into and surrounds the heart palace. The yellow and red Qi intermingle, shining like a blazing fire. When the heart feels warm, swallow three times, raise the head, and recite:

“The three Qi of the Cinnabar Heaven open the jade gate to the upper realm of the south. There resides the great deity, the Red Emperor Lord of the Numinous Spirit, dressed in a cinnabar robe and wearing Fulu (talismans and registers), with a long skirt patterned in flying feathers. He rides a red dragon and travels in a jade carriage through crimson clouds. He is the revered deity of Numinous Mount Huo in the south, commands the myriad spirits, enters and leaves the realm of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing), and feasts and wanders above the Nine Mysteries. Jade maidens bearing red tablets attend at his sides, while jade youths guard the Perfected Ones. They hold registers of immortal names and crimson documents, determine ranks of attainment, and report each person’s merits and faults. Today I respectfully invite the Great King to open the immortal realm of Numinous Mount, command the myriad spirits, and descend through the three gates of my body, speech, and mind. Let the spirit transform into an infant, quiet my mind and soul, and let the yellow and red Qi mingle and coil around the root of my life. May I remain forever in the company of Zhurong, the southern god of fire, ride the colored clouds, and roam freely among the southern mountains, enduring alongside Heaven and Earth.”

Take the form of an infant. In this way, calm the mind and spirit, settle the hun and po souls, and unite the two breaths, winding them around and protecting the root of my life. I will remain for a long time in the company of Zhurong, the southern fire god, riding auspicious clouds and wandering freely among the mountains and fields of the south, enduring as long as Heaven and Earth.

When the invocation is complete, swallow the red Qi twelve times.

After practicing this method for three years, the numinous officers of Mount Huo, the Southern Peak, and the Red Emperor, the southern celestial sovereign, will descend and grant signs: three Red Jade Gui maidens, bearing red jade tablets, will come to await your command and help convey your prayers. Whatever you seek will go smoothly. Entanglements involving your parents in life and death, registers of offenses, and punishments can also be released if they fall under the jurisdiction of the Southern Peak. Charges and penalties will vanish, and the practitioner will ascend among the ranks of the celestial officials. This method is exceedingly mysterious and precious, and can bridge life and death.

On the Wuchen, Wuxu, Jichou, and Jiwei days following the Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, Autumn Equinox, and Winter Solstice, bathe, observe purification, and cleanse yourself. When daylight shines into the room, face the direction of the “King” and bow twelve times. Then sit upright and click your teeth twelve times to summon your own spirits. When finished, close your eyes and visualize the Yellow Emperor Lord of Mount Song, the Central Peak. His surname is Jiao, and his personal name is Pusheng. He is one chi and two cun tall, wears a precious crown of yellow jade that reaches to Heaven, and is clad in yellow feather robes. He rides a yellow dragon and is attended by twelve jade maidens dressed in yellow. From the Central Peak, he descends into the practitioner’s quiet chamber.

After a while, visualize the Yellow Emperor Lord transforming into the form of a newborn infant, clad in feather robes and riding a yellow dragon, with twelve yellow-clad jade maidens in attendance, as he descends from the Central Peak into the quiet chamber. Next, visualize him surrounded by yellow Qi, entering through the practitioner’s mouth with the breath and traveling straight to the spleen palace. Then visualize white Qi arising from the lungs, encircling and filling the spleen palace. The yellow and white Qi mingle and blend, swirling through the air like yellow clouds. When you feel warmth in the spleen, swallow the Qi twelve times, tilt your head back, and recite:

The Central Heaven Yellow Origin (the deity of yellow primordial Qi residing in the central celestial region) commands the Four Spirits, the deities of the four directions. Central Mountain of Wu and Ji, the mountain corresponding to the virtue of central Earth, is where the primordial essence and Qi of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning first gathered. The Great Deity Yellow Emperor rides in a flying carriage drawn by twelve yellow dragons. Above the Three Pure Ones’ realm (the highest heaven in Daoism), he holds a banquet, attended by jade maidens and served by divine youths. He opens the mountain to reveal charts and writings, verifies the registers of the immortals, and wanders around Central Mountain, the region of Mount Song among the Five Sacred Peaks. The Sun King spreads spiritual Qi, causing true Qi to circle and descend, infusing my body. The Qi of primordial unity transforms; the Old Sovereign becomes an infant and guards the Yellow Palace, the inner chamber in the body corresponding to central Earth Qi. Its storehouse fills with radiance. Strange hairs grow upon the body; inside and out, it shines brightly. The Perfected Ones meet one another and pass freely through the Nine Clarity Heavens, the lofty and pure celestial realms. I am able to join the Yellow Emperor’s carriage and ascend to the Jade Court, the realm of immortals.

After reciting the text, draw in yellow Qi and swallow it in twelve installments.

If you practice this method for twelve years, the divine officials of Central Mountain and the Five Emperors will descend into your room. They will bring twelve Yellow Plain Jade Maidens, goddesses dressed in yellow and white, to help you open the body’s passages and ascend to the Nine Heavens. The parents of the living and the dead, along with records of sins and registers of punishments, are all under the jurisdiction of Central Mountain. These registers of offenses can be annulled and erased; names can be entered into the registers of immortals, departing the underworld and ascending to the Hall of Blessings. Thus the paths of life and death become open and peaceful, and one can save many beings.

After the Start of Autumn, choose a day marked by the Heavenly Stem Geng to pray for the opening of the body’s passages and ascent to the Nine Heavens. The parents of the living and the dead, along with records of sins and registers of punishments, are all under the jurisdiction of Central Mountain. These registers of offenses can be annulled and erased; names can be entered into the registers of immortals, departing the underworld and ascending to the Hall of Blessings. Thus the paths of life and death become open and peaceful, and one can save many beings.

On a Gengshen or Xinyou day after the Start of Autumn, bathe at dusk. After calming the mind and observing ritual purity, enter the room and bow seven times while facing west. Sit upright and click your teeth seven times to summon and inform the deities within your body. When this is done, close your eyes and visualize the White Emperor Lord of Mount Hua in the Western Peak, ruler of the Western Peak. His surname is Haoqiu and his personal name is Yuancang. He is seven cun and seven fen tall, wears a precious cap of plain jade reaching to the heavens, and is dressed in white feathered robes. He rides a white dragon, accompanied by twelve White Plain Jade Maidens, descending from the Western Peak into the practitioner’s room. After a while, visualize the White Emperor Lord transforming into a newborn infant, surrounded by white Qi. It enters your mouth with the Qi and travels directly to the Lung Palace. Then visualize black Qi arising from the kidneys and circling around to infuse the Lung Palace. The white and black Qi mingle and gather, like a deep, shadowy auspicious cloud high in the sky. When you feel warmth in the lungs, swallow the Qi seven times, then tilt your head back and recite the incantation:

In the heaven of the seven Qi, there is the White August Sovereign’s Golden Hall. The Great White Emperor Deity guards the West. He dwells on the numinous mountain of Huayin and bears the honorific title Divine King. Clad in a flying robe of white feathers, he raises his banners and rides a divine dragon, roaming the realm of Mysterious Purity. He enters and leaves the celestial palaces, oversees the registers of immortals, and records the perfected beings of every region in their proper order. On auspicious days and at felicitous hours, the myriad sages come to hold a banquet and descend. They wander among the nine rosy clouds, sending forth radiance. Golden essence and Qi shine brightly; white immortal stones lie everywhere. The immortal realm opens, numinous wonders appear, and divine power reaches in every direction.

The practitioner prays to attain the Dao and become an immortal, to live long and never grow old. If these wishes are fulfilled, nothing inauspicious will befall them. May the deities accept the prayer, if only in part, enabling the person to reach the realm of truth and transform their appearance. Change will arise spontaneously: they will fly together with primordial Qi—the original energy between Heaven and Earth—their body growing light as they rise to the Purple Chamber, the palace where immortals and perfected beings dwell.

After the ritual is complete, guide in White Radiance, a visualization or breathing practice for absorbing white essence and Qi, and swallow seven times; then stop.

If the practitioner follows this method for seven years, the numinous official of the Western Peak, the White Emperor, will descend to bestow blessings and bring seven white jade maidens. They will open the gateway to communication with spirits, allowing whatever the practitioner seeks to reach the Nine Heavens. Matters concerning the practitioner’s life and death, parents, records of offenses, and sentences can all be released if they are bound to the Western Peak: the records of offenses will disappear of themselves, the practitioner’s name will be entered in the registers of immortals, and they will escape the cycle of rebirth through the Five Paths and ascend forever to the Hall of Blessings. Thus both life and death may be transcended, and blessings and good fortune will naturally arrive.

After the beginning of winter, bathe at the hour of the Rat on a Renzi or Guihai day. After fasting and purifying yourself, enter a quiet chamber and face north to bow five times. Then sit upright, knock your teeth together five times, and summon and awaken the various spirits within your body. When this is done, close your eyes and visualize the Lord of the Black Emperor of Northern Mount Heng, the god of the north. His surname is Fu, and his personal name is Tongmeng. He is five cun and five fen tall, wears a precious dark-jade crown that reaches to the heavens and a dark feathered robe, and rides a black dragon. Accompanied by twelve Taixuan Jade Maidens, he descends from the north into the practitioner’s quiet chamber.

After a little while, visualize the Black Emperor transforming into the form of a newborn infant, surrounded by black Qi. See him enter your mouth with the black Qi and travel directly to the kidneys. Next, visualize the liver giving rise to blue-black Qi, which pours into and encircles the kidneys. The blue-black Qi combines and gathers, like deep, shadowy clouds of emerald smoke. When you feel warmth in the kidneys, swallow five times, tilt your head back, and recite:

“The Five Qi, the five primordial energies, fill the Mysterious Heaven. From above, essence and energy flow downward, condensing the breath and gathering spiritual power. This is called the Immortal Lodge. It guards and stabilizes northern Mount Heng, where the Black Emperor makes his rounds. The Black Emperor roams the north, riding a dragon as he rises and soars. Today is auspicious; the myriad spirits reveal their charts and registers. The Five Qi flow to and fro, and auspicious clouds spread in every direction. Immortal youths hold bamboo tablets; Taixuan issues talismanic decrees, recording my name in the registers of immortality and inscribing it in the Golden Register. May the True Spirit turn back and descend, joining the form of an infant with me. May the two energies weave together and pass through one another, pouring deep into my body. May the Dark and Mysterious one guide and protect me, so that I may keep company with the immortals, endure for as long as Heaven and Earth, and never perish through the ten thousand kalpas.”

After reciting, draw in the black Qi and swallow five times. The rite is then complete.

Practice this method for five years, and the numinous official of northern Mount Heng, the Black Emperor, will descend and manifest in true form. He will send five Taixuan Jade Maidens to attend you and await your commands, enabling you to convey requests up to the Nine Heavens. In this way, the charges and punishment records of the living, the dead, and one’s parents, if they fall under the jurisdiction of northern Mount Heng, may all be released. They may also escape the Three Evil Destinies and ascend to Heaven. This is a supreme and wondrous method, able to save all beings without measure.

When practicing this Daoist method, one should keep the heart-mind calm, reflect quietly, and let one’s thoughts remain focused and clear. In this way, it is easy to commune with the spirits. Once one has received the prescribed rules, one must always observe them without alteration. Year after year, one will then be able to see where the spirits come and go. The heavenly officials will come to welcome one, while demonic spirits will disperse and submit, not daring to approach and cause harm. The practitioner’s mind will grow perceptive and wise, enabling them to discern good fortune from misfortune. The spirits of the Five Sacred Peaks—five mountains revered in Daoism—and the Five Emperors, deities who govern the five directions, will often accompany them. Thus, they will commune with the divine and swiftly attain the state of an immortal.

Jade Instructions for the Zhaijiao Offering to the Five Emperors of Primordial Beginning and Lingbao to Summon the True Ones

The scripture says: The five true texts in the Lingbao Red Writings, a type of Lingbao scripture, each guard one direction. They are all writings spontaneously generated by the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning. The Five Elders, divine beings corresponding to the five directions, serve as companions and enable people to commune with the divine, swiftly attaining the state of an immortal.

Jade Instructions for the Zhaijiao Offering to the Five Emperors of Primordial Beginning and Lingbao to Summon the True Ones

The scripture says: The five true texts of the Lingbao Red Writings each guard one of the five directions. They are all writings spontaneously generated by the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning. The Five Elders have the Five Emperors guard the five directions, while the spirit officials keep the records. According to the prescribed rules, the rites are held three times a year to celebrate the immortals’ attainment of the true.

According to ancient liturgical texts, the perfected beings of the Upper Palace and the immortals of the Five Sacred Peaks perform a rite once every three years. They honor the Five Emperors of Lingbao and the spirit officials, offering swan geese, fragrant wine, and sweet fruit to pay homage to the heavenly perfected and preserve the vital energy. Later generations who study the Dao may perform these rites regularly. The Five Emperors of Lingbao will respond to their sincerity, and the spirit officials of the five directions will rejoice. The gifts may be abundant or simple; what matters is the intent. When sincerity is complete, humans and spirits respond to one another. For this reason, the scripture records the kinds of offerings and the procedures of the rite, directing practitioners to keep them secret and carry them out.

Ancient texts give the following dates for the rite of inviting the Five Emperors of Lingbao and the spirit officials: in spring, the days Jia-yin and Yi-mao; in summer, Ding-si and Bing-wu; at the end of each season, Wu-chen, Wu-xu, Ji-wei, and Ji-chou; in autumn, Geng-shen and Xin-you; in winter, Gui-hai and Ren-zi.

On a “Jianwang” day, a high altar should be erected at a numinous peak. “Jianwang” refers to an auspicious day selected according to the calendar. Tablets and documents for the four directions are arranged according to their orientations: the governing day for each season is assigned to the east, south, west, and north. Five gates are set up, along with five placards bearing the following inscriptions:

The placard for the east is written in blue.

The eastern gate bears blue talismanic writing: the Lord Green Emperor, the Aged One of the Azure Spirit, of the Nine Qi Azure Heaven, the Treasure of Splendor and the Forest of Green; the Heavenly Lords of the Nine Qi; the Supreme True King; the Jade Maiden of the Green Waist; the spirit officials of the eastern region; and the Gate of Azure Splendor and Primordial Yang. This gate is set on the east.

The southern gate bears red talismanic writing: the Lord Red Emperor, the Aged One of the Vermilion Spirit, of the Three Qi Cinnabar Heaven, the Brahma Treasure and Auspicious Yang; the Heavenly Lords of Vermilion Cinnabar and the Three Qi; the Venerable Man of Primordial Qi; the Jade Maiden of the Vermilion Palace and Great Cinnabar; the spirit officials of the southern region; and the Gate of Cavernous Yang and Great Radiance. This gate is set on the south.

The central gate bears yellow talismanic writing: the Lord Yellow Emperor, the Aged One of Primordial Spirit and Jade Treasure, of the Mountain of the Great Emperor of the Primordial Cavern; the Perfected One of the Great Emperor; the Jade Maiden of Cinnabar, the Yellow Court, and the Earthly Storehouse of Wu and Ji; the official lord of the Central Yellow Great Emperor; and the Gate of Primordial Yellow and High Dawn. This gate is set to the left of the King’s upper gate.

The western gate bears white talismanic writing: the Lord White Emperor, the Aged One of the Luminous Spirit and August Emperor, of the Heaven of the Seven Qi and the Golden Gate of the Seven Treasures; the Great Physician of the Seven Qi of Bright Stone; the Jade Maiden of Supreme White Simplicity; the spirit officials of the western region; the official lord of the Yellow Great Emperor; and the Gate of Primordial Yellow and High Dawn. This gate is set to the left of the King’s upper gate.

The western gate bears white talismanic writing: the Lord White Emperor, the Aged One of the Luminous Spirit and August Emperor, of the Heaven of the Seven Qi and the Golden Gate of the Seven Treasures; the Great Physician of the Seven Qi of Bright Stone; the Jade Maiden of Supreme White Simplicity; the spirit officials of the western region; and the Gate of the Golden Palace of Passage through Yin. This gate is set on the west.

The northern gate bears black talismanic writing: the Lord Black Emperor, the Aged One of the Mysterious Spirit, of the Five Qi Mysterious Heaven, Cavernous Yin, and the Dark North, the Severing of Obscurity, and the Five Spirits; the Heavenly Lord of Mysterious Nourishment and the Five Qi; the Lord of Supreme Numinous Power; the Jade Maiden of Night Light; the spirit officials of the northern region; and the Gate of Yin’s Birth and Vast Numinous Power. This gate is set on the north.

The gate used by the assembled Perfected Ones bears purple talismanic writing: the spirit officials of the Nine Heavens; the Perfected Ones of the numinous mountains of the Five Marchmounts; the rivers and the four waterways; the spirit officials of the Three Offices and Nine Courts; earth immortals; Jade Maidens; flying immortals of the Five Marchmounts; and the various immortal officials and lords. They proceed to the right of the Gate of Primordial Yellow and High Dawn. This gate is set to the right of the King’s upper gate.

These five gates are arranged according to the prescribed form of the five Qi gates of the Upper Palace of the Mysterious Capital. If the high immortals and assembled Perfected Ones do not enter or leave through the gates aligned with the cardinal directions, they must enter and leave to the right of the central Yellow Emperor’s gate.

Once the five gates have been set in place, put up screens around them. Do not let the wind blow directly through, lest the flames and Qi become disordered. Gather the fire’s energy together and do not let the light spread too far, lest the numinous energy dissipate. Lay out a square mat, five feet on each side, and orient it according to the season: in spring, face east.

Prepare one cooked hongluwu, a bird named in the original text. Set out five dou of fragrant wine, keeping it clear and fresh-smelling. Choose fruit according to the season and what is plentiful. Prepare eleven fine new cups and one new, serviceable ladle, and place them facing east.

Also prepare one cooked hongluwu and five dou of fragrant wine, along with a suitable variety of fruit in a quantity suited to what is plentiful. Use three carefully cleaned plates. Place five cups of wine on each of two plates and one cup on the third. Set the plate with one cup below one of the plates with five cups. Arrange the five incense burners in order before the plates, and divide the fruit among three plates, setting them out in the same way. Put the remaining wine and meat in separate vessels and place them before the seat.

Spread five feet of nanhe red silk, patterned with deep-red designs, across the table. Then take five feet of blue-green silk patterned in blue-green and lay it over the Lingbao Five Chapters of Perfect Writings, a Lingbao scriptural text, and the five talismans. Place these behind the seat, with the talismans between the red and blue-green cloths. This is a rite in which hair is cut and blood is tasted as part of an oath: blue-green silk stands in for the hair, and red silk for the blood used in swearing the pact. Perfected Ones do not harm their Shen or diminish their De, so these objects serve as substitutes.

Prepare five blended incense mixtures and make sure the incense burners are new and clean; set them out in sequence. Fasten your sash, kneel, and invite the presence to descend. Speak softly and respectfully, so that the Heavenly Perfected Ones, the true spirits of the celestial realm, may respond and arrive. Write six talismanic slips in cinnabar on silverwood splints. Use them to invite the Five Emperors, the assembled immortals, and the numinous officials, and place them beneath the five incense burners.

The Azure Emperor, the Elder Lord of the Primordial Beginning of Azure Numinous Essence, of the Eastern Nine-Qi Azure Heaven and the Treasure-Peaceful Flowery Grove; the Celestial Lord of the Azure Tooth and Nine Qi; the Supreme True King; the Jade Maiden of the Azure Waist; the numinous officials of the Eastern Region; and Perfected One So-and-So, of such-and-such Emperor—bow twice before the five incense burners, touch your head to the ground, and respectfully invite them:

Please descend to the Azure Radiance Gate of Primordial Yang.

The Azure Emperor, the Elder Lord of the Primordial Beginning of Azure Numinous Essence, of the Southern Heaven’s Treasure-Peaceful Flowery Grove; the Celestial Lord of the Azure Tooth and Nine Qi; the Supreme True King; the Jade Maiden of the Azure Waist; the numinous officials of the Eastern Region; and Perfected One So-and-So, of such-and-such Emperor—bow twice before the five incense burners, touch your head to the ground, and respectfully invite them:

Please descend to the Azure Radiance Gate of Primordial Yang.

The Lord of the Red Emperor of the South, sovereign of the Cinnabar Heaven in the South; the Celestial Lord of the Three Cinnabar Qi; the Elder of Original Qi; the Jade Maiden of the Great Cinnabar of the Vermilion Palace; and the spirit officials of the South: the Perfected of the [title] Emperor, so-and-so, burns the five kinds of incense, performs two prostrations, bows his head, and respectfully invites you.

May the deities descend to the Gate of Great Light in the Cavern of Yang.

The Lord of the Yellow Emperor of the Central Origin Cavern’s Great Emperor Mountain; the Perfected of the Great Emperor; the Jade Maiden of the Cinnabar Child, Yellow Court, and Wu and Ji Earth, Keeper of the Celestial Granary; and the official lord of the Central Yellow Great Emperor: the Perfected of the [title] Emperor, so-and-so, burns the five kinds of incense, performs two prostrations, bows his head, and respectfully invites you.

May the deities descend to the left side of the Gate of High Dawn in the Origin Yellow.

The Lord of the White Emperor of the Seven Qi Heaven in the West; the Illustrious Stone, Minister of the Seven Qi; the Jade Maiden of the Supreme White Plain; and the spirit officials of the West: the Perfected of the [title] Emperor, so-and-so, burns the five kinds of incense, performs two prostrations, bows his head, and respectfully invites you.

May the deities descend to the Gate of the Golden Palace of Yin.

The Lord of the Black Emperor of the Northern Five Qi, the Mysterious Heaven, Cavern Yin, Shuo-dan-yu-jue; the Celestial Lord of the Mysterious Nourishing Five Qi; the Numinous Lord of the Most High; the Jade Maiden of Night Light; and all the spirits of the North: the Perfected of the [title] Emperor, so-and-so, burns the five kinds of incense, performs two prostrations, bows his head, and respectfully invites you.

May the deities descend to the Gate of the Golden Palace of Yin.

The Lord of the Black Emperor of the Northern Five Qi, the Mysterious Heaven, Cavern Yin, Shuo-dan-yu-jue; the Celestial Lord of the Mysterious Nourishing Five Qi; the Numinous Lord of the Most High; the Jade Maiden of Night Light; and the spirit officials of the North: the Perfected of the [title] Emperor, so-and-so, burns the five kinds of incense, performs two prostrations, bows his head, and respectfully invites you.

May the deities descend to the Gate of Broad Numinous Life in Yin.

The spirits of the Nine Heavens; the Perfected Ones of the numinous mountains of the Five Marchmounts; the rivers and the Four Waterways (the great rivers of the four directions); the spirit officials of the Three Offices and Nine Palaces; the Jade Maidens who are terrestrial immortals; the flying immortals of the Five Marchmounts; the divine immortals; and all the immortal officials and lords: the Perfected of the [title] Emperor, so-and-so, burns the five kinds of incense, performs two prostrations, bows his head, and respectfully invites you.

May the deities descend to the right side of the Gate of High Dawn in the Origin Yellow.

Write the above in vermilion on five slips and place them beneath the five incense sticks. After reading one slip, respectfully invite one Emperor Lord; then perform two prostrations, remove that slip, and proceed in the same way through the rest. Place the final slip on the right side of the central position. Once the rites for sending off and welcoming the Celestial Officials are complete, bury the five slips at the five directions of the mountain.

This is an old ritual transmitted from Xuandu, the sacred capital of Daoism. Its ritual sequence must not be changed; otherwise, the Perfected Ones of Heaven will not descend, and the officiant will suffer calamity.

After the rite of placing the bamboo slips is complete, the reciter must adjust their voice and personally recite the words inviting the gods. When this is done, the slips are buried at the five points of the compass in the mountains. This is an ancient ritual code preserved in Xuandu, the celestial realm of Daoist tradition, and its prescribed procedure must not be altered at will. Otherwise, the perfected immortals of Heaven will not descend, and the person presiding over the rite may suffer calamity through an error.

After placing the bamboo slips, the reciter adjusts their voice and begins:

“On the first day of the [month] in the [year], at the [time] on the [date], [name], the [title] Lord or Perfected One of [place], aged [number] years. On [date], I received the five talismanic commands of the Great High Numinous Treasure, the Five Elders’ True Texts, the naturally formed Red Writings, from [name], a Perfected One of [sacred mountain]. Now, in accordance with the ancient rites of the Great Dao’s Xuandu, I purify my heart, observe the fast, bathe and cleanse myself, and fumigate the divine chamber with incense. With reverence, I invite the Five Emperor Lords, the numinous officers and perfected beings of the Five Emperors, and the divine maidens of the immortals to descend.

I respectfully prepare black birds of the swan and heron kind, fragrant wine, and sweet fruit to express my wholehearted sincerity. I also make my body and mind pure and orderly, and welcome the Heavenly Venerable of the August Sovereign. I ask that you dispatch the true officials of the five bodily forms, the three hun souls and seven po souls, and the perfected beings of the three palaces to ascend to the Nine Heavens and travel to the palaces of the Nine Heavens and the Three Heavens, as well as the lands beyond the Five Directions, the Heaven of Green Teeth, the Heaven of Vermilion Cinnabar, the Mountain of the Great Emperor, the Heaven of Central Yellow, the Heaven of Bright Stone, the Heaven of Mysterious Nourishment, and the courts and palaces of the perfected beings of the Five Emperors in the eight directions, to convey my prayer.

I respectfully keep the fast, perform the rites with reverence, and look upward with a humble and receptive heart, hoping that the gods will briefly descend to [place], shine upon my sincerity, bring forth the numinous efficacy of the Five Talismans, and accept these humble offerings.”

When the recitation is complete, bow twice more and lie prostrate for a short while. Then rise to kneel upright and take from the east…